Ideas to Make Morning Meeting Work for Upper Elementary

“Morning Meeting” usually sparks two images: students stilling on the floor singing a cute welcome song, and the day’s calendar and weather review. These are both great activities for Morning Meeting, BUT they don’t really have an upper elementary vibe. If I asked my 5th graders to come to sit on the carpet to sing our “good morning song”, I’m pretty sure I’d lose them. To make Morning Meetings work in upper elementary classrooms, we need to tweak activities and add meaningful, engaging tasks that suit their developmental needs. Discover practical tips and ideas in the full blog—read now!

Molly WheatleyJanuary 4, 2025Morning routine, Morning meeting, Teaching, Elementary teacher, teacher morning routineComment

Best Activity for Morning Meeting in the Classroom

Finding the right morning meeting activity can make or break your day. Being ill-prepared or choosing the “wrong” activity can easily derail your day, sort of like that feeling when you “get up on the wrong side of the bed”. Whether your district provides you with Morning Meeting activities for your classroom or you make it up as you go, creating consistency is important. That’s why I love having an activity that I can use every day that fits into a routine without being boring. This activity has to grab your student’s attention, spark conversation, and keep students engaged all day long. That’s where cute, baby animals come in!

Molly WheatleyNovember 9, 2024Elementary teacher, Baby animals, Morning routine, Morning meetingComment

Transform Your Fifth Grade Classroom with the Daily 5 Framework

Did you know the Daily 5 isn’t just for younger students? When I introduced the Daily 5 in fifth grade, my students loved the balance of independence and choice it gave them, which is exactly what upper elementary classrooms need. The Daily 5 in upper elementary classrooms helps cover all literacy goals while keeping students engaged, organized, and allowing me to run small groups without constant interruptions. Curious about how it works? Check out the full blog!

Molly WheatleyNovember 2, 2024Daily 5, Literacy stations, Elementary teacher, Reading Stations, Guided readingComment

Spend a Week Bird Watching with Me in Maine

This trip definitely wasn't for the birds! Come along with me as I finally partake in the bird watching adventure awarded to me by the Missouri Audubon Society and my school district! In 2020 I submitted a bird watching resource I created for my students to the Missouri Audubon Society and school district. I was selected as a winner and recently traveled to Maine to watch and learn about birds!

Molly WheatleyJuly 13, 2022Teachers Pay Teachers, Elementary teacherComment

5 Fun Daily 5 Activities That You’re Students Won’t Hate

Students hate not to have choices in their Daily 5 activities. Having a handful of fun activities for students to choose from helps them feel independent and engaged. Let's talk about 5 activities you can use that your students won't hate and will ask for over and over again!

Molly WheatleyJune 19, 2022Daily 5, Literacy stations, Reading Stations, Elementary teacherComment

How to LEVEL UP Your Classroom with Daily 5

Running literacy small groups can be a challenge when students interrupt. Today we are talking about some tips and tricks to level up your classroom with the Daily 5 to help your students become independent during their independent reading time.

Molly WheatleyJune 9, 2022Daily 5, Literacy stations, Reading Stations, Elementary teacherComment

7 Reasons Why Elementary Teachers Should Use the Daily 5

The secret for running a successful literacy block is simple- use the daily five! Today we are exploring why you should use the daily 5 in your classroom and the benefits this teaching strategy can bring!

Molly WheatleyMay 30, 2022Daily 5, Literacy stations, Reading Stations, Guided reading, Elementary teacherComment

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