Morning Momentum Lesson Plan Morning Momentum
Tier 1 Social-Emotional Learning • 7th Grade
30 Minutes
Whole Class
Objective
Students will engage in structured greetings, practice active listening by sharing personal responses, participate in an energizing team-building activity, and reflect on positive intentions to build community and start the day ready to learn.
Why This Matters
Morning meetings foster a sense of belonging, strengthen communication and empathy skills, and help students transition into academics with a focused, positive mindset.
Preparation
Print and cut out Greeting Card Prompts.
Load the Question-of-the-Day Slides on the projector.
Review the Energy Booster Activity Guide.
Print and organize Reflection Prompt Cards.
Arrange seating in a circle or semicircle.
Materials Needed
7th Grade Greeting Card Prompts
Question-of-the-Day Slides
Energy Booster Activity Guide
Reflection Prompt Cards
Instructional Cycle
5
Greeting
Community Connection
Invite students to stand in a circle.
Each student selects a prompt from the Greeting Card Prompts .
Students pair up and share a unique greeting based on their prompt (e.g., handshake, high-five, special phrase).
Teacher models enthusiastic participation and encourages positive energy.
10
Share Question
Active Listening & Sharing
Project the next question from the Question-of-the-Day Slides .
Give students 1 minute to think silently and jot down a response.
Go around the circle; each student shares their answer in 20–30 seconds.
Encourage active listening: nod, thumbs up, or ask clarifying questions.
10
Energy Booster
Movement & Team Building
Introduce the energizer activity (e.g., “Tag Compliments” from the Activity Guide ).
The “it” student tags a peer and gives a genuine compliment before switching roles.
Ensure all students participate; adjust for space constraints.
Debrief: Ask how the activity made them feel and why positive energy matters.
5
Closing Reflection
Intention Setting
Distribute one Reflection Prompt Card to each student.
Students write a brief response on paper or a sticky note.
Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their reflections aloud.
Reinforce key takeaways and preview the day’s agenda.
Morning Momentum Slides Morning Momentum
Start Strong • Connect • Focus
Today's Agenda
1 Greeting (5 min)
2 Share Question (10 min)
3 Energy Booster (10 min)
4 Closing Reflection (5 min)
Greeting
1. Stand in a circle.
2. Pick a Greeting Card Prompt.
3. Find a partner and share your greeting.
4. Swap and find someone new!
Example Greeting
"High-five your partner while giving them a genuine compliment!"
Share Question
10:00
"If you could have any superpower for just one day, what would it be and how would you use it?"
Think: 1 Min | Share: 30 Secs
Energy Booster
TAG COMPLIMENTS
Gently tag a classmate.
Give them a genuine, specific compliment.
They are now "It" and go tag someone new!
Why we do this
Positive energy is contagious! Spreading kindness helps us all feel seen and ready to learn together.
Closing Reflection
Take a Reflection Prompt Card.
Write your intention for the day.
"Today, I intend to..."
Pro Tip
Focus on one small, achievable goal that makes you feel good.
Greeting Card Prompts Greeting Card Prompts
Instructions: Print this page on cardstock if possible. Cut along the dashed lines to create 8 individual greeting cards. Distribute one card to each student to use during the "Greeting" portion of the Morning Momentum meeting.
Prompt 1
High-five your partner while giving them a genuine compliment.
MORNING MOMENTUM
Prompt 2
Create a secret handshake and teach it to your partner.
MORNING MOMENTUM
Prompt 3
Wave both hands and share your favorite hobby.
MORNING MOMENTUM
Prompt 4
Give a thumbs-up and tell your partner something you like about them.
MORNING MOMENTUM
Prompt 5
Pat your partner on the back and ask how they’re feeling today.
MORNING MOMENTUM
Prompt 6
Do your favorite dance move and say “Good morning!”.
MORNING MOMENTUM
Prompt 7
Smile and share a fun fact about yourself.
MORNING MOMENTUM
Prompt 8
Wave and state one goal you have for today.
MORNING MOMENTUM
Reflection Prompt Cards Reflection Prompt Cards
Instructions: Print and cut out the cards below. Distribute one card to each student. Students choose a card and write their reflection on paper or a sticky note.
Card 1
What is one thing you are grateful for this morning?
CLOSING REFLECTION
Card 2
What positive intention will you set for yourself today?
CLOSING REFLECTION
Card 3
Name a personal strength you bring to our classroom community.
CLOSING REFLECTION
Card 4
How will you show kindness to someone today?
CLOSING REFLECTION
Card 5
What challenge might you face today, and how will you overcome it?
CLOSING REFLECTION
Card 6
Recall a time you felt proud. How can you bring that confidence into today?
CLOSING REFLECTION
Card 7
What is a goal you have for today, and what’s the first step you can take?
CLOSING REFLECTION
Card 8
What is one thing you can do today to support a friend or classmate?
CLOSING REFLECTION
Energy Booster Activity Guide Energy Booster Activity Guide
Morning Momentum • Movement & Connection
Total Time
5–10 Min
Purpose
The goal of these activities is to boost student energy, foster positive interactions, and reinforce class community through quick, active games that encourage empathy and physical movement.
Main Activity: Tag Compliments
5–7 Minutes
How to Play
1
Choose one student to be “It.” Ensure there is enough clear space in the classroom or hallway for safe movement.
2
When the teacher says “Go,” the “It” student gently tags a peer and gives them a genuine, specific compliment (e.g., “I loved your drawing yesterday!” or “Thanks for helping me in math!”).
3
The tagged student becomes the new “It” and repeats the process. Continue tagging and complimenting for 3–4 minutes.
Debrief Questions
How did it feel to give a compliment? How did it feel to receive one?
Why do positive words and encouragement matter for our classroom culture?
Pro Tips
Monitor Space: Remind students to move safely and keep tags "gentle."Inclusivity: If a student hasn't been tagged yet, encourage the current "It" to look for someone new.
Alternative Quick Energizers
Compliment Circle
Students sit in a circle. One student tosses a soft ball to a peer while giving a compliment. The recipient catches it, offers a new compliment to someone else, and tosses the ball.
Energy Clap Chain
Stand in a line. The teacher starts a clap rhythm and calls a student's name. That student creates a new rhythm; the whole line echoes it in unison. Repeat until the chain is complete.
Silent Line-Up
Challenge the class to line up in order of birthday (month/day) without talking. They must use nonverbal gestures and eye contact to organize themselves quickly.
Always end any energizer with: "How did that make you feel?" and "Why is positive energy important for our day?"
