The Power of Connection

Before we can learn and grow, we need to understand and trust one another. This is why, each morning, we begin our day with "Connection Time"! This invaluable time helps us ease into a busy day and prepare us for our best learning!

When we gather, we sit in a circle on the rug so we can see eachother. Even Mrs. Beliveau skips her cozy chair for a place in the circle!

Have a peek at some highlights from our morning Connection Time meetings:

1. Prayer
God is at the center of all we do and all we are, and we always begin in prayer. 
"Father in Heaven, I give You today, all that I think, and do, and say. Amen". 

2. Say Hello!
We have learned the importance of eye contact when greeting our classmates. While we have practiced our eye contact while giving a firm handshake, we also say hello in silly ways, too, like the dancing greeting below!

"1, 2, 3, 4, Come on (student) hit the floor! We're so glad you came today, hooray, hooray, hooray!"

3. News
This time allows the students an opportunity to share what's on their minds, thereby helping us focus on learning later in the day. So far we have heard about lost teeth, tap and hip hop lessons, a birthday dinner at Pasta Pantry, a sleep over, and so much more! 

4. Social Scenario Problem Solving
To help the children develop age-appropriate critical thinking skills, they are presented with a social problem to solve. In partners, they brainstorm possible ways to solve the problem and then we come together as a large group to share and discuss. 

Some of the problems we have tackled include:

• not being able to find your indoor shoe after recess
• a classmate pushes ahead of you in line
• you notice a friend crying at their desk but don't know why
• someone wants to be your partner but you don't want to work with them

It is important for the students to see that there is no one way to solve a problem and that they do not always need an adult's help. 

5. Story
We close Connection Time with a story. Each book is carefully chosen and has an important lesson. 

Here are a few we have enjoyed already:

While Connection Time seems packed, it rolls along rather quickly and sets a positive tone for our day! This is time very well-spent and enjoyed. Connection time truly is about building relationships and seeing the masterpiece in all of us. 

Special thanks to my colleague and friend, Miss Yasmine Akhtar, for planting this seed and inspiring me. The structure for our morning Connection Time is inspired by the structure outlined in the Morning Meetings by Kriete and Davis

Social Scenario Problem Solving Task Cards from Pathways 2 Success