Whatever you call it: morning meeting. advisory time, or homeroom, as educators we know it is an important start to our students' day. In the middle school classroom, it can be particularly important as it is a time that can be used to work on what students need - relationship building, self-esteem, grit, etc.
Below are 20 favorite homeroom ideas that include fun activities, as well as simple ones that will not only get students excited but also help with advisory meeting management by keeping them engaged.
1. Brain Break Bingo
Brain break bingo is perfect for elementary and early middle school-aged students and is a great way to teach them the process of brain breaks and what to do to regroup and refocus: https://t.co/Ifc0dhPgaw #BrainBreak #EdChat #SEL pic.twitter.com/kliu7lphqy
— StickTogether (@byStickTogether) February 25, 2022
This is a chart with ideas for small class brain breaks. Once the entire class gets 5 in a row, they get a prize, which is an extended brain break (something like meditating or adding on to recess). It will teach students simple techniques for when they need a little break.
Learn more: Stick Together
2. Tech Time
Get students to practice being social and using technology without the typical social media channels. Flipgrid allows teachers to make groups and choose a topic - students can then create and express themselves! What's nice about this activity is you can choose ANY topic (Earth Day, Human Rights, "how-to", etc)!
Learn more: What Is Flipgrid and How Does It Work For Teachers and Students?
3. Whole-Class Journal
Whole class journaling is about sharing writing. The classroom will have different notebooks, each with a unique writing prompt. Students will choose any journal and write about the topic, they can then read other students' work and even make comments on it or "likes".
Learn more: Hanging with Mrs. Hulsey
4. D.E.A.R.
This activity is no prep! Just put up the post and the students know the activity is to "drop everything and read". It is a good way to get students to pick up ANY reading materials and reading. Add in some fun by bringing out special reading seating, bookmarks, magazines, etc for the time.
Learn more: Teachers Pay Teachers
5. Speed Friending
Community building is an important part of advisory. Begin building relationships with an icebreaker activity. "Speed Friending" is taken from "speed dating" - the idea that you sit face to face with someone and ask questions. Also works on introductions, eye contact, and speaking skills.
Learn more: Little Ids Ideas
6. Would You Rather?
A fun game that can be endless is "Would You Rather?" Have students pick between two different items (songs, foods, brands, etc). You can even get them moving by having them move to different sides of the room. An optional extension activity is to have students come up with their own questions!
Learn more: Classroom Freebies
7. Birthday Jamboard
Celebrate students during an advisory period with a birthday activity! This digital activity jamboard allows students to celebrate their peers by writing kind things or good memories about them!
Learn more: Spotlight Classrooms
8. E-mail Etiquette
Use this activity in the digital classroom or as a printable activity. It teaches how to send and respond to e-mails, which is a great skill to learn in this digital world. The activity bundle includes different ways to practice the skill.
Learn more: Teachers Pay Teachers
9. Tell About Me
If you need ice breaker activities, this is one is a game that can be played with 2-4 players. As students take turns and land on a new space, they will answer questions about themself. Not only will they learn about each other, but the game also fosters conversation.
Learn more: Pinterest
10. Letter to Myself
Perfect for starting a new grade level, "Letter to Myself" is an activity of self-reflection and change. An ideal time to do the activity would be the beginning of the year or even a new semester. Students will write a letter to themselves answering questions about likes/dislikes, goals, and more; then read it at the end of the year!
Learn more: Create, Teach, Share
11. TED Talk Tuesday
Homeroom time is a good time to watch videos like TED Talks. The activity works for any TED talk and includes discussion questions on whatever the topic. It is nice because it is flexible so you can choose the TED Talk around whatever subject your kids may be in need of - inspiration, motivation, self-esteem, etc
Learn more: Mindful in the Middle
12. Doodle A Day
It's not a bad idea to give students time to show their creativity and advisory is a great time to do it! We are all used to entry questions or "do nows", but a different fun activity for students is a "doodle a day". It is an easy activity that you can use to get the advisory going. It also gives the students a few minutes or kids' time. You can even make doodle journals!
Learn more: Drawing Challenges
13. The Marshmallow Test
Use your advisory for some instructional time to teach students about delayed gratification. This middle-grade level activity is a fun and yummy way to teach self-control! It also includes ideas for reflection after the activity.
Learn more: Teaching in Blue Jeans
14. Murder Mystery Game
If you are looking for an interactive game, this digital murder mystery lesson plan is it! A creative way to get students in homeroom engaged and socializing.
Learn more: Engaging and Effective
15. Fostering Failure
Learning that it's ok to fail is important to learn and teach perseverance. This homeroom group activity has students creating a sort of picture puzzle - and it is MEANT to be super difficult. Students will have to work together (and possibly fail together) to try and solve it.
Learn more: On Lemon Lane
16. Minute to Win It
A fun choice for teachers is using "Minute to Win It" games! Use these games to aid in team building. You can have students create team names and compete against each other. What's great is the games use everyday items, so you can keep items in class for impromptu playing!
Learn more: Rhody Girl Resources
17. Setting Intentions
Class meeting time is a great time to practice setting intentions, which is also related to positive goal setting. Use this activity to have students write short-term, monthly intentions. Once they determine what they want to achieve, they can work on writing meaningful goals.
Learn more: Jessica Swift
18. Favorites
An easy "get to know you" activity for the beginning of the year is this favorites chart. It is also a nice way to find out what your students like so you can use it for birthday celebrations or other ways throughout the year.
Learn more: Elena Stroganova
19. Note Taking
An advisory meeting is a great time to teach note-taking skills. You can use an easy topic or text that all students are familiar with since content doesn't matter. What is an important skill for middle school students to learn is efficient note-taking.
Learn more: Reading and Writing Haven
20. Differing Perspectives
Middle school can be a time with a lot of bullying and misunderstandings. Teach students how to tolerate others and show empathy through learning about different perspectives of their peers. You can use this activity with a book or even short film clips.
Learn more: Literacy in Focus
20 Critical Thinking Activities for Middle Schoolers