To build a sense of community in the classroom, students must interact with one another. Part of the morning meeting should involve students officially welcoming each other to class. Have students give each other a high five or shake hands with one another. Students should call each other by name when they say hello. This positive interaction sets the right tone for the day and encourages everyone to interact. At the beginning of the year, it will also help students to learn their classmates' names quickly.
Ask the class a general question such as "What did you do this weekend?" or "What is your favorite color?" State the question at the beginning, then go around the circle and have students respond briefly to the question. They will already have thought of the answer, so you will be able to get to everyone in the class. This quick interaction and sharing gets students to know about one another and gets everyone to participate. You can also gear the question around a skill being taught that day.
A morning message is a way to prepare students for what the day will bring. Students feel safer and more comfortable when they know what to expect. The message is a general statement that stays the same, with different variables that are plugged in to note the specifics of that day. The statement could include the date, the specials for the day, how many students are present and a general expectation. You can use a bulletin board to hang the daily message and fill it in with the class.
Get students moving and start the day off with some fun by playing a quick game with the class. Have students act out a word for the class to guess. Or have students play a quick round of hangman. Get the students excited for the day and for learning. It also gives the them a chance to use some of their energy and to interact in a positive way.