Spin the wheel Classroom wheel spinner Morning meeting questions
A routine that takes five minutes and pays off all day
A morning meeting has four parts in most classrooms that use the format: a greeting, a share, a short group activity and a morning message. The wheel takes care of the share. It gives you a question that every student can answer, with no wrong response, so even a child who struggles with reading or English can take part.
The questions are short and mix feelings, favorites and small "what would you" ideas, which suits kindergarten through second grade. For third to fifth grade, keep the more reflective ones (What was hard this week? How did you help someone?) and cut the very simple ones.
Pass a soft object around the circle so the child holding it is the speaker. Each answer takes about ten seconds, so a class of 24 finishes in four or five minutes. Children who want to pass can pass; most do not by October.
What's on this wheel
- What did you eat for breakfast?
- What color do you feel like today?
- What's your favorite animal?
- What made you smile today?
- Best part of your weekend?
- Favorite thing to play outside?
- Which is better, pizza or tacos?
- What's a game you like?
- Who helps you at home?
- What would you name a pet fish?
- What's a book you love?
- What makes you feel calm?
- Rainy day or sunny day?
- What's your favorite song?
- What's something you're good at?
- What are you learning to do?
- Favorite thing in this room?
- What do you do after school?
- Who is a kind person you know?
- What's your favorite fruit?
- What's a job you'd like to try?
- What would you build with blocks?
- What makes you laugh?
- Favorite thing to draw?
- Where would you go for a day?
- Do you like cold or hot food?
- What's a good way to say hi?
- What was hard this week?
- How did you help someone?
- What's your favorite shape?
- What is something new you tried?
- What do you see out the window?
- What is your favorite number?
- Name something round
- Name something soft
- A fun thing to do with friends?
- What's something you are proud of?
- How do you feel right now?
- What are you looking forward to?
- Who is a hero to you?
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Fitting the question into your meeting
- Start with the greeting: handshakes, a wave or a song. Then press Spin and read the question.
- Answer the question yourself first, in a full sentence, so students hear the model they are expected to give.
- Go around the circle once. Tell the class to listen for one answer they have never heard before.
- Write the day's question on the morning message, then Remove from wheel so tomorrow brings a new one.
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Morning meeting FAQ
How long should a morning meeting last?
Fifteen to twenty minutes in total is common for kindergarten through third grade, with the share taking five of those. Older students often shorten the whole meeting to ten.
Do I need to use all four parts every day?
No. Many teachers keep greeting and share daily and add the activity and message on days they have time. A short meeting done every day beats a long one done twice a week.
How do I handle a student who talks too long?
Tell the class before you start that answers are one or two sentences. A small timer or a soft hand signal from you works, and it feels kinder if every child knows the rule in advance.
What if a question touches a hard subject?
Questions about home, such as who helps you, can sting for some children. Delete any that do not suit your class from Entries, and keep a few easy ones as a fallback.
Can I use it for a virtual class?
Yes. Share your screen, spin, and call on students by name. In a video call, read the question aloud and let each child answer when it is their turn.
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