Morning Classroom Conversations
Morning Classroom Conversations (MCCs) can help you Build Your Students' Social-Emotional, Character, and Communication Skills Every Day
Why Are MCCs Important?
MCCs facilitate classroom or group-based conversation for youth to develop social and emotional skills. By making MCCs (a 10-15 minute conversation) a regular part of your homeroom or advisory period, you give students a space to feel brave enough to think creatively and critically, build connections and learn problem solving skills.
How Do MCCs Correlate with SEL and SECD?
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is a process that allows individuals to develop skills relating to the 5 basic competencies: self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision making, relationship skills, and social awareness.
SECD adds in the recognition that skills need to be directed toward virtuous ends. In other words, there is a focus on developing a sense of positive purpose and related virtues.
For students to be able to connect to others and regulate while properly expressing their thoughts and feelings, MCC’s help exercise your students’ SEL muscles.
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Do you want to connect with your students while building social emotional skills? Are you having trouble transitioning your class into the school environment? Do you want to feel that sense of classroom community again?
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High academic demands: Teachers often prioritize content delivery over relationship-building, leaving little time for meaningful interactions with students.
Barrier of time: Tome constraints may pressure instructors to cover the curriculum at a fast pace, leaving limited opportunities for in-depth discussions and personal connections.
Overwhelming workload: When teachers are stressed themselves, it leads them to prioritize administrative tasks over fostering relationships with students. Some teachers may emotionally disconnect themselves as a coping mechanism to manage the challenges of the profession.
As a result, students may feel disconnected and disengaged in the classroom, impacting their learning and overall well-being.
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Morning Classroom Conversations (MCCs) are brief, 10-15 minute daily discussions held in the classroom community. These conversations require limited resources, making them easily implementable in any educational setting. In these discussions, students have the opportunity to share their thoughts, ideas, and perspectives on various topics relevant to their learning and personal development.
Over a 3-year progression, MCCs provide opportunities for growth in communication skills, critical thinking, and social-emotional learning. As students become more accustomed to participating in MCCs, they learn to express themselves more confidently, engage in respectful dialogue with peers, and develop a deeper understanding of complex concepts. Through consistent practice and reflection, MCCs contribute to the overall growth and development of students within the classroom community.
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Check out these sample prompts for morning classroom conversations!
Want more tools and resources? Click here to access the book!
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It's crucial to start by setting the stage for meaningful dialogue and engagement. Begin by establishing a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment where students feel valued. Explain the importance of morning classroom conversations and how they contribute to learning and community-building. Emphasize participation, active listening, and respectful communication during discussions, and provide students with opportunities to practice these skills through activities and exercises. Additionally, select relevant and thought-provoking topics or discussion prompts to spark interest and stimulate conversation. By setting the stage effectively, teachers can create an atmosphere for productive morning classroom conversations that promote student learning and development.
So, Which Program is Best for You?
BEST FOR…
SAMPLE
DAILY
teachers
NON-DAILY
any group/setting
BY SESSION
social workers, coaches, short-term social groups
