Appreciations
In my class, we try to end each day with a closing meeting. Closing meeting lasts 10-15 minutes, and allows us to end the day on a positive note. Each closing meeting starts with celebrations-- things that we feel like our class did well today, or things we are proud of accomplishing today. Each meeting ends with appreciations-- things that others did that made us feel good or helped us today. Appreciations are specific and thoughtful.
On each student’s birthday, we have a special round of appreciations. Each member of our class takes a moment to think about what they appreciate about this person. When we are all ready, we put our thumbs up to signal. Then, we go around in a circle and each say our appreciation for this person. Appreciations help each person know that they are valued and seen, and that people care about them. Even if a student is not someone who is a close friend, everyone is able to appreciate something that they bring to the community.
On each student’s birthday, we have a special round of appreciations. Each member of our class takes a moment to think about what they appreciate about this person. When we are all ready, we put our thumbs up to signal. Then, we go around in a circle and each say our appreciation for this person. Appreciations help each person know that they are valued and seen, and that people care about them. Even if a student is not someone who is a close friend, everyone is able to appreciate something that they bring to the community.