Do Morning Meeting

I am a HUGE believer in the Morning Meeting Model (By the Responsive Classroom). You can do a Google search and find out all about it if you don't know anything. It is so simple to do. I was worried the last year to start it, especially with 6th graders, but I quickly found that it was pretty painless and the kids behaved far better than I ever thought possible.
Here are the steps in a quick, abbreviated format:
1) Greeting. The students greet each other EVERY morning. Using each other's names and being respectful are the key. I love this part.
2) Activity. This can be a game that builds teamwork or one that is geared to simply review content.
3) Sharing. Students sign up (1 or 2) to tell the class about something that happened to them the night/afternoon before. I love this because when they are through, the other kids are to ask questions about what happened to clarify or get further explanation. It goes beyond "Cool", or "That Sounded Fun".
4) News and Announcements. There is a morning chart that has the kids review a skill. You go over the chart with the kids, discuss the topic if addresses, and then tell them what to expect for the day. This is the transition in to your regular lesson. My students go from Morning Meeting right into Math.

While this may seem complicated, it is VERY simple. My 6th graders love it. There is also a format for the middle/high schools- The Circle of Power and Respect. It is basically the same, but adjusted to fit the more "mature" attitude of that level of student.

Using this format, I slowly introduce the components over the first few days (mixed in with Harry Wong and the First Days of School). It is very successful, and the kids love the flow of the day. It pays off in the end to get the management ready and in place first before starting the curriculum.

I hope that you are ready and willing to go this year. Remember POSITIVE will make the difference.
If you are feeling brave, add Morning Meeting to your mix this year. You won't regret it!