Connection Time: A Positive Foundation for Our Day

Each morning begins with Connection Time, a meaningful routine that allows us to gently ease into the day and prepare ourselves for our best learning.

We gather in a circle so everyone is seen and heard. 

1. Prayer and Land Acknowledgement

We always begin in prayer, remembering that God is at the center of all we do and all we are:

“Father in Heaven, I give You today, all that I think, and do, and say. Amen.”

Simple actions, led by our Prayer Leaders, accompany our words, helping us to pray with both heart and body.

Following prayer, we share our child-friendly acknowledgement of land and people.

2. Greetings

A warm hello, eye contact, and using someone’s name can go a long way in helping others feel seen, welcomed, and like they belong. We practice different greetings, including really silly ones, like this much-loved Stinky Shoe Hello!

3. News

Students are invited to share what is on their minds, whether joyful or hard. We’ve already heard about movie nights, lost teeth, lake trips, swimming, and more!

4. Social Scenario Problem-Solving
To build problem-solving skills, students are presented with real-life social situations. In pairs, they brainstorm possible solutions, then come together as a group to discuss. Scenarios have included:

• You spill your yogurt drink on your pants

• A friend is crying at their desk, but you don’t know why

• You forgot your lunch at home

We're exploring the idea that problems can be “mouse problems” (small) or “elephant problems” (big), and that a small problem doesn’t need an elephant-sized reaction. 

6. Story
We end Connection Time with a story, carefully chosen for its message.

Though full, Connection Time moves along and sets a joyful, intentional tone for the day. This time is valued, not only for the learning it supports but for the way it builds our relationships and helps us see Christ in one another.

Our Morning Connection Time

Each morning we begin our day with Connection Time, a meaningful routine that allows us to gently ease into the day and prepare ourselves for our best learning.

We gather in a circle so everyone is seen and heard. 

1. Prayer and Land Acknowledgement

We always begin in prayer, remembering that God is at the center of all we do and all we are:
“Father in Heaven, I give You today, all that I think, and do, and say. Amen.”
Simple actions accompany our words, helping us to pray with both heart and body.

Following prayer, we share our acknowledgement of land and people.

2. Greetings
Eye contact and a warm hello set the tone for kindness and belonging. We practice different greetings (sometimes even silly ones) like the much-loved Stinky Shoe Hello!

3. News

Students are invited to share what is on their minds, whether joyful or hard. We’ve already heard about movie nights, lost teeth, camping trips, skating, and more!

4. Social Scenario Problem-Solving
To build problem-solving skills, students are presented with real-life social situations. In pairs, they brainstorm possible solutions, then come together as a group to discuss. Scenarios have included:

• You spill your yogurt drink on your pants

• A friend is crying at their desk, but you don’t know why

• You forgot your lunch at home

We talk about how some problems are "mouse problems" (smaller) or "elephant problems" (bigger), and how small problems don't require an elephant-sized reaction. 

6. Story
We end Connection Time with a story carefully chosen for its message.

Though full, Connection Time moves along and sets a joyful, intentional tone for the day. This time is valued, not only for the learning it supports but for the way it builds our relationships and helps us see Christ in one another.

Building Strong Connections

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. 

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 stinky shoe hello!

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. News can be both good or bad, and everyone is given an opportunity to share if they wish. So far we have heard about making paninis, pirate books, visits from cousins, new bikes and 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. 

We talk about how some problems are "mouse problems" (smaller) or "elephant problems" (bigger), and how small problems don't require an elephant-sized reaction. 

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 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 strengthening our roots before setting off to tackle the challenges each day!

Morning Connection Time

Before we can learn and grow, we need to feel safe and loved. 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 each other.

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". Look at us pray with actions!

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 stinky shoe greeting and goofy dances!

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. News can be both good or bad, and everyone is given an opportunity to share if they wish. So far we have heard about skating lessons, birthdays, farm animals, new pets, and more!

4. Social Scenario Problem Solving
To help the children develop age-appropriate critical thinking skills, they are presented with a social skills 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. 

We talk about how some problems are "mouse-sized problems" (small) or "elephant-sized problems" (big), and small problems don't require an elephant-sized reaction. 

Some of the problems we have tackled include:

• not being able to find your indoor shoe after recess
• a classmate shoves ahead of you in the line
• you notice a friend crying at their desk but don't know why
• someone pushes you at recess

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 some stories we have already enjoyed:

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 light in all of us!

Connection Time: Building Relationships

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. 

Have a peek at some highlights from Connection Time:

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". Look at us pray with actions!

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 this silly stinky shoe greeting!

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. News can be both good or bad, and everyone is given an opportunity to share if they wish. So far we have heard about hockey, swim lessons, cinnamon buns, shark diving, and 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. 

We talk about how some problems are "mouse problems" (smaller) or "elephant problems" (bigger), and how small problems don't require an elephant-sized reaction. 

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 valuing each member of our classroom family. 

Daily Connection Time

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 so we can see eachother. We are lucky to have the chapel nearby so we can spread out. This is a beautiful, faith-filled place to begin our day!

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

1. Prayer and Land Acknowledgement
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". 

Actions accompany the words
 in our morning prayer

Then we say a simple land acknowledgement, showing respect and gratitude for the land we are fortunate to learn upon. 

2. Say Hello!
We have learned the importance of eye contact when greeting our classmates and have several silly ways to greet one another. This one is a favourite ... the Stinky Shoe Hello!

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. News can be both good or crummy, and everyone is given an opportunity to share if they wish. So far we have heard about movie nights, power skating, birthdays, lost teeth, dance lessons, and even a new puppy named Mr. Foofy!

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:

• 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
• someone said there is a wasp nest in the forest

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. 

*   *   *

We sprinkle other little literacy and numeracy skills throughout Connection Time, depending on the skills we are focusing on and the time of the year. This week we practiced our numeracy skills while moving our bodies.

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

With our Terry Fox run this Friday, this book was one we shared:

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 thoroughly enjoyed. Connection time truly is about building relationships and seeing Christ in one another. 

Building Connections Each Day

 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 safely distanced circle so we can see eachother. We are lucky to have an empty classroom nearby so we can spread out. While the room isn't as fancy as our classroom, we know it's the people in the classroom who matter!

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. To ensure we can greet eachother while maintaining a safe distance, we have several silly ways to greet one another, too, and we are still adding to our collection of hellos!

Practicing making eye contact

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. News can be both good or bad, and everyone is given an opportunity to share if they wish. So far we have heard about pets, glow mini-golf, birthdays, lost teeth, jazz lessons, roadkill, and even discovered how one crafty grandma made a money birthday cake! 

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 (at a safe distance) 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:

• 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
• someone said there is a wasp nest in the forest

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. 

We come "close but far" in the middle of
 the room to enjoy the chosen story!

A few of the stories we have shared

We sprinkle other little literacy and numeracy skills throughout Connection Time, depending on the skills we are focusing on and the time of the year. We have recently been adding in the Rhyme Bag, which makes for an engaging guessing game!

Stuffy - fluffy, rock - sock, and glue - shoe!

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 thoroughly enjoyed. Connection time truly is about building relationships and seeing the masterpiece in all of us. 

Connection Time is inspired by the structure outlined in the Morning Meetings by Kriete and Davis

Good Morning Sunshine cards from Keepin Up With the Kinders

Social Scenario Problem Solving Task Cards from Pathways 2 Success