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Testing Week Morning Meeting for Anxious Students — K-2

14 items for Kindergarten through 2nd Grade.

Generate a Full Morning Meeting

One click. Four pillars. Five minutes. Zero prep.

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Greetings (3)

Breathe and Smile Hello

A calming breathing greeting

Teacher Says

Let's take one deep breath together. Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth. Now smile at your neighbor and say 'Good morning.'

Thumbs-Up Check-In

A nonverbal greeting that respects quiet feelings

Teacher Says

Show me a thumbs up if you're feeling okay, or a thumbs to the side if you need a little extra kindness today. Now give your neighbor a gentle thumbs up.

You've Got This Hello

A reassuring partner greeting for stressful days

Teacher Says

Turn to your neighbor. Give them two thumbs up and say 'Good morning — you've got this!' They give you two thumbs up back and say the same thing. Sometimes we all need someone to remind us we can do hard things.

Shares (3)

“Tell your partner about something you did that was a little bit brave.”

Follow-up Question

How did your tummy feel right before you did it?

“What does it feel like inside your chest when you take a really big, slow breath?”

Follow-up Question

Let's try one together right now.

“When something feels hard at school, what helps you keep trying? Tell your partner your secret.”

Follow-up Question

Can you and your partner make a plan to help each other when things feel hard?

Activities (4)

Snake BreathBreathing5 min

Hiss like a snake to make your breath come out slow.

Steps

  1. Sit tall. Take a big breath in through your nose.
  2. Now breathe out and hiss like a snake. Ssssssssss.
  3. Try to make the hiss last a really long time. Ssssssss.
  4. Again! Big breath in. Loooong hiss out. Sssssssssssss.
  5. Two more snake breaths. Feel how calm you are now.
Thought BubblesMindfulness5 min

Imagine your worries floating away in bubbles.

Steps

  1. Close your eyes. Imagine you can see thought bubbles above your head.
  2. What is in your bubble right now? Just look at it.
  3. Now imagine that bubble floating away. Up, up, up into the sky.
  4. Here comes another bubble. Look at it, then let it float away too.
  5. Open your eyes. You do not have to hold onto every thought.
Worry BoxMindfulness5 min

Put your worries in a pretend box and close the lid.

Steps

  1. Pretend there is a small box on your desk. It is your worry box.
  2. Think of something that is bugging you. Pick it up with your hands.
  3. Put it in the box. Close the lid tight.
  4. If you have another worry, put that one in too. Close the lid again.
  5. The box is holding your worries for now. You can check on them later.
Brave TalkMindfulness5 min

Practice saying one brave sentence to yourself.

Steps

  1. Sometimes we need to tell our brain something brave. Let's practice! Put your hand on your heart.
  2. Say this in your head: 'I can do hard things.' Say it again, a little louder in your mind.
  3. Now try this one: 'It's OK to make mistakes.' Say it to yourself like you really mean it.
  4. Pick your favorite — 'I can do hard things' or 'It's OK to make mistakes.' Say it one more time inside your head.
  5. Take your hand off your heart. You just gave your brain a pep talk! You can say those words anytime you feel nervous.

Morning Message (4)

“Good morning, class. Today we only need to do one thing at a time. Don't worry about later — let's just start with right now.”

“Good morning, class. We are going to take things step by step today. No rushing. Just one thing at a time.”

“Good morning, class. Say this to yourself: I can do hard things. Because you can. You really, truly can.”

“Hello, friends. Today might feel a little different, but you are the same wonderful you. Just do your best — that's always, always enough.”