The Morning Meeting
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Between 3 and 5 years old, you can start a super special time in the day, called Morning Meeting. During our morning meeting (which I admit currently usually takes place before our evening Family Huddle time), I take time to train my children in character and cooperation. We are following the Core Virtues(c) monthly character training program and the Positive Discipline tools for child training. Below, I want to keep track of what we do, so when we rotate again I have ideas that I like to use or can recommend. The morning meeting is my most important class of the day! It really helps us all get along and treat each other better.
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Morning Meeting Agenda
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Fun I-love-You Rituals
Handshakes and Signs
Energizers
Cooperative Games
Handshakes and Signs
We love fun handshakes at our house. They are a positive, active start to morning meeting.
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We have also enjoyed making up our own special love hand signs.
- Hi/Bye Fly! - Number 2 on fingers, then wiggle them up and down like Black Soldier Fly antennae.
- Monarch Heart - Cross thumbs, palms facing self, wiggle fingers for wings. Says, "I love you."
- Palm Writing - Draw a heart in the palm (I love you), 2 dots and lines (crying - I'm sorry, sad), 2 dots and smile (happy, OK), drag 2 fingers from open to close (let's play or do something together)
Energizers
- Popcorn - Crouch in circle. Everyone sizzles (sssss) till breath runs out, then jumps up and says, "Pop!"
Cooperative Games
How to Say I'm Sorry
- I’m sorry for…(be specific about the misdeed)
- This is wrong because… (describe how it affects others)
- In the future, I will…(describe how to handle the situation differently)
- Is there something else I can do right now to make things right? (work it out)
- Will you forgive me?
Core Virtues Yearly Cycle
Aug.
Sept.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec.
Jan.
Feb.
March
April
May
June
July
Aug.
Holiness - Purity - Zeal |
NOTE: This month's virtues are not included the Core Virtues(c) program.
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Sept.
Respect - Responsibility - Friendship
Oct.
Diligence - Self-control and Self-discipline - Perseverance
Year 1: Diligence
- Definition: See Core Virtues(c)
- Memory Verse: Galatians 6:9
- Proverbs 6:6-8 - Those who are lazy can learn a lot from the ant.
- Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker - Katherine Johnson became a mathematician who calculated the flight path for NASA's first moon landing. Proverbs 22:29
- Six Dots: A Story of Louis Braille by Jen Bryant - Louis Braille at a tender age invented an alphabet that the blind could read by touch. Galatians 6:9
- Seeker of Knowledge: The Man who Deciphered Egyptian Hieroglyphs by James Rumford - Jean Francois Champollion vows and never gives up till he deciphered the ancient Egyptian form of writing. Proverbs 1:7; 2 Timothy 2:15
- Helen's Big World: The Life of Helen Keller by Doreen Rappaport - With the help of her diligent teacher, Helen Keller learned to communicate and read. Then she became a tireless advocate against injustice. 2 Peter 1:10
- The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau by Michelle Markel - Henri Rousseau started late to become a self-taught artist. He did not give up to get the respect that he felt his art deserved.
Year 2: Self-Control and Self-Discipline
Year 3: Perseverance
- Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin (also being true to oneself)
Nov.
Gratitude - Wonder - Stewardship
Gratitude
- Definition: Gratitude is being thankful for the gift of life and the gifts of life (Copyright CoreVirtues.net)
- Memory Verse: 1 Chronicles 16:34
- Read biographies of people who created inventions or secured rights we should be grateful for.
- Willis Carver invented air conditioning.
- Alexander Flemming discovered penicillin.
- Johannes Gutenburg invented the printing press.
- Marvelous Mattie: How Margaret E. Knight Became an Inventor By Emily Arnold McCully
- Leonardo and the Flying Boy by Laurence Anholt (not my favorite)
- The Real McCoy: The Life of an African-American Inventor by Wendy Towle
- The Wondrous Whirligig: The Wright Brothers First Flying Machine by Andrew Glass
- The Thank You Letter by Jane Cabrera
Dec.
Generosity - Charity - Service
Generosity
- Definition: Generosity is giving without thinking of getting (Copyright CoreVirtues.net)
- Memory Verse: John 3:16; 1 Timothy 6:17-19
- Bible Stories
- Acts 20:32-35 - Paul helps the churches
- Luke 21:1-4 - Widow's Mites
- Biographies about Generosity
- The House that Jane (Addams) Built by Tanya Lee Stone
- The Thank You Letter by Jane Cabrera
- Thank You, Omu by Oge Mora
- Boxes for Katje by Candace Fleming (based on true story)
Jan.
Courage
- Definition: Courage is doing what is right in the face of fear (Copyright CoreVirtues.net)
- Memory Verse: Joshua 1:9
- Bible Stories on Courage:
- Moses at the Burning Bush
- David and Goliath
- Esther Approaches the King
- Biographies about Courage:
- Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led her People to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford
- Susan B. Anthony by Alexandra Wallner
- Jack's Path of Courage: The Life of John F. Kennedy by Doreen Rappaport
- Nubs: The True Story of a Mutt, a Marine, and a Miracle by Brian Dennis
- Drum Dream Girl by Margarita Engle
- Gittel's Journey: An Ellis Island Story by Leslea Newman
Feb.
Honesty and Justice - Loyalty - Love of Country
Honesty and Justice
- Definition: Honesty is truthfulness: loving the truth, telling the truth,and living truthfully in word and deed. Justice is giving the other his or her due. Justice is making a space for the rights and needs of others. (Copyright CoreVirtues.net)
- Memory Verse: Revelation 15:3
- Bible Stories on Honesty and Justice:
- Zaccheus (Luke 19)
- Esther
- Peter Denies Jesus
March
Compassion - Faithfulness - Mercy
April
Forgiveness - Graciousness and Courtesy - Gentleness and Humility
May
Hope - Wonder - Joy
June
Heroism - Lives to Learn From - Wisdom
July
Peace - Contentment - Unity |
NOTE: This month's virtues are not included the Core Virtues(c) program.
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