Getting Acquainted

 Yesterday we encircled the tables and practiced greeting one another.  We bowed as we said "good morning" to each person on either side.  We tried to maintain eye contact as we greeted each other by name.  Then we went around the room stating one place and thing we did this summer while doing an action that was appropriate.  We then all repeated each action.  Finally we went around the room and did all the actions we could remember.   It may be one of those things you had to be there for.

In any case, this is what's called "morning meeting" and we will try and do some variation every day.  Today for instance we tossed a soft globe to a classmate after greeting him or her by name.  The recipient returned the greeting and then identified the place on the globe where his or her right thumb landed.  Finally the globe was tossed to another and the ritual continued.  I am open to suggestions from students as to other ways to have fun and build our classroom community at morning meeting.