Every year teachers are always on the lookout for effective ways to create a smooth start to the day (or anytime!). The secret that can have a big impact with minimal prep work: MORNING MENUS!
These menus are a great way to help manage the classroom, provide a soft start to the day, and minimize the chaos that often comes with the beginning of a school day.
USING MORNING MENUS
Morning Menus are a menu of activities that students can choose from as they start their day. These activities are designed to be engaging, educational, and calming, setting a positive tone for the rest of the day. The Morning Menus are designed with 5 categories: Writing, Numbers, SEL, Words and Creative.
The categories give students a variety of activities that helps keep them thinking and applying skills in engaging, independent and fun ways! Student choice helps keep them motivated while still giving them some structure and meaning. Use them every day or on certain days of the week!
Each month it is easy to print out the menus and needed printables. Then, decide how to store them. A great option for storing morning menu pages is in binders with sheet protectors. Or, you can place them in a drawer or designated station. Just keeping them on a table for students to grab each morning is also a perfectly good option!
- Writing: These creative writing activities are perfect for notebooks. (YAY for no prep needed!) Students choose the writing prompt for the day and get busy! Giving students an opportunity to write often will help make them better writers.
- Numbers: These activities focus on numbers and some math skills in a way that stretches their math thinking. Get students to enjoy math and working with numbers in a way that is engaging and fun!
- SEL: These activities allow students to focus on their social emotional learning and apply those skills in ways that keep it fresh and light. SEL can be fun while still being meaningful.
- Words: Working with words isn't always super exciting for students, but these independent activities allow students to focus on word work in a way that's not intimidating.
- Creative: Sure to be a student favorite. Students get to be creative with the montly activities and explore their creative thinking!
BENEFITS OF MORNING MENUS
- Morning Menus provide a calm but structured start to the day. Instead of rushing through the door and immediately starting on assignments, students can ease into their morning with activities they enjoy.
- Your students will begin making positive independent choices. By giving students a clear, structured way to begin their day, you can help reduce the morning chaos and encourage independent learning. Students know what is expected of them and can independently start their morning menu activities.
- Morning Menus are an excellent resource for differentiation. Students can choose daily practice activities that suit their interests and needs, making it an inclusive strategy that caters to various learning styles. Students can learn to be in charge of their choices, and gain confidence in their learning.
- Giving students the responsibility to choose and manage their morning activities fosters independence and decision-making skills. The seasonal choice menus will keep students engaged and learning with seasonal-themed activities throughout the entire year!
Print these menu pages for independent work, add them to a plastic page protector, slide them in a dry-erase sleeve, or use them in restaurant-style menu folders! Students can check off the ones they have completed with a pencil, or they can use dry erase markers on plastic-covered pages.
Implementing Morning Menus in your classroom can transform the start of your school day. By providing engaging activities that cater to different interests, you can create a positive and productive environment as school starts. Give Morning Menus a try and see the difference they can make in your classroom management and overall morning routine!
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