Mindfulness Quiet Time Morning Work

Mindfulness Quiet Time Morning Work

Hey, y'all! Morning work is a staple in our classroom. It sets the tone for the day, gets kids thinking, and gives them something to do while everyone is unpacking and getting ready. For the last few years, we've had ample time to both do our morning work and check it together before starting phonics. This year, we're starting right at the bell and we're needing some quick, calming morning work to get us going that won't take more than 15 or so minutes. So...

This year's morning work is focusing on some soft skills with a little bit of math, spelling, and writing mixed in. Each day there is space for students to practice writing the date and to check-in with how they're feeling. This gives me a quick glance at how our mornings are going so far and if anyone needs a chat or hug before we get started. 

Monday through Thursday, the kids have a half page of work. And the activities are both consistent (for fostering independence) and rotating (for engagement). 

On Mondays, students can have a dot to dot, a maze, a directed drawing, or a seasonal mandala to color. On Tuesdays, students work through the number of the day with 1 more/less, 10 more/less, place value, base ten, expanded form, or writing the number word. The skills practiced get progressively more challenging as the year goes on. 

On Wednesdays, students have a color by sum/difference, a word search, or affirmations. Thursdays are set aside for spelling practice and the prompts can be used with any list. And on Fridays, students have a squiggle story to complete. They get a shape and space to draw to turn the shape into whatever they want, then they write a couple of sentences about their picture. 

These are designed to be copied front to back and folded in half to make a booklet. (Stapling is optional but might make it easier on your kiddos.) One booklet lasts your students all week long. And pages are labeled at the bottom so you know what goes where when you copy and fold. 

Why I love this morning work:

1. They're seasonal, which makes for high engagement. 
2. They're booklets, which kids love, which makes for high engagement. 
3. There's coloring involved, which makes for high engagement. 
4. They check-in with students each morning so I can quickly find out how everyone is doing just by walking a lap in the classroom. (Getting my steps in!)
5. They're low stress, which leads to high engagement. 
6. You can quickly go over it if needed, or not. Low stress. 
7. If students don't finish a page, they can work on it later when they have time. 
8. The activities are calming and promote mindfulness while still touching on spelling, math, and writing. 
9. The predictable pattern makes it easy for students to be independent.
10. The variety of activities leads to high engagement. 

Plus, there's enough to last you an entire year, AND each week has a new affirmation on the cover. 

It's a little bit different than what I've done in the past, but it's engaging, skill based, and promotes mindfulness. What could be better?!

You can check out the full unit in my TPT store here. While you're there, be sure to follow me on TPT. I'm always adding new resources and updating things, and you won't want to miss any of it! 

I hope you got some new ideas for your classroom and this helps make your mornings a little bit smoother this year. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a wonderful week. I'll talk to you soon. 

Stay cozy,