Morning Meetings Used as a Strategy for Maintaining a Positive Learning Environment in an Urban Fifth Grade Classroom

Abstract

This study was conducted in an attempt to answer the question: Are Morning Meetings an effective strategy for maintaining a positive learning environment in an urban fifth grade class room? The researcher collected baseline data from 20 students in an urban fifth grade class room in Rochester, New York to find out whether the implementation of Morning Meetings decreased negative actions and behaviors and improved the overall learning environment for fifth grade students. Research was conducted to monitor the influence of Morning Meetings on the actions and behaviors often students with the highest frequency of targeted negative actions and behaviors. The researcher used student questionnaires and interviews, students ' perceptions about the effectiveness of Morning Meetings on the classroom climate, and observations of student interactions in social and academic settings in this study. These data were studied to find generalizations on the effectiveness of Morning Meetings on the actions and behaviors of students and the influence of these Meetings on the overall learning environment in this urban fifth grade classroom.