Morning Spark Teacher Guide
Teacher Facilitation Guide
Morning Spark Club
Daily Routines for 3rd Grade Morning Meetings & Seatwork
GRADE LEVEL Grade 3 (Ages 8–9)
System Overview
The Morning Spark Club framework bridges morning arrival, independent work, and the morning meeting. By maintaining consistent weekly themes and structured games, students build comforting routines while sharpening social-emotional skills, communication, and cognitive creativity.
1
Morning Work (15-20 Min)
As students arrive, they work independently on their Daily Student Journal. Each day features an academic/SEL prompt followed by a designated 60-second sketching box to activate creative thinking.
2
Morning Meeting (15-20 Min)
Students gather at the carpet. The teacher leads a structured sharing circle featuring three daily games: Would You Rather, the community-focused Memories Game, and sharing their 60-Second Sketch.
The Weekly Rhythm
Mindset Monday Skills & Growth
Builds resilience, goal setting, and positive risk-taking. Students practice reframing mistakes as learning opportunities.
Teamwork Tuesday SEL & Community
Emphasizes active listening, collaborative problem solving, and group cooperation strategies through peer interactions.
Word & World Wed Skills & Growth
Fosters scientific curiosity and vocabulary enrichment. Focuses on exploration, observation, and fun trivia.
Thoughtful Thursday SEL & Community
Promotes classroom gratitude, self-reflection, and peer validation. Focuses on mutual appreciation and kindness.
Friendly Friday Catch-Up & Game
An easy transition day. Students catch up on unfinished journal work, followed by a collaborative community-building game.
Core Game Facilitation Guidelines
1. Would You Rather
Present choice. Students vote with a movement (e.g. stand for A, sit for B) to get moving, then call on 2-3 to explain reasoning.
2. Memories Game
Observation game. Ask students to recall classroom details, what a teammate wore yesterday, or academic terms from the day before.
3. Sixty-Second Sketch
Set a 60-second timer. Students must quickly sketch the prompt in their journals without lifting pencils, then share in rapid partnerships.
Morning Spark Club • Teacher Guide • Page 1 of 2 Designed for 3rd Grade Classrooms
Weekly Prompt Bank
Daily Prompts & Tasks (Week 1 Focus)
Ready-to-use prompts for Morning Meeting slides and Morning Work Journals.
MINDSET MONDAY WEEK 1
Morning Work Task
Write about a mistake you made that helped you learn something new.
Would You Rather
Be able to speak every language OR talk to animals?
Memories & Sketch
Memory: List 3 classmate details from Friday.
Sketch: A flying bicycle.
TEAMWORK TUESDAY WEEK 1
Morning Work Task
Solve this teamwork mystery: Two friends disagree on a recess game. List 2 compromise ideas.
Would You Rather
Always have to sing instead of speaking OR run instead of walking?
Memories & Sketch
Memory: Recall exactly what your desk neighbor wore yesterday.
Sketch: A helpful robot.
WORD & WORLD WEDNESDAY WEEK 1
Morning Work Task
Create three new words by changing just one letter in the word: SPARK.
Would You Rather
Explore the deepest ocean OR travel to the rings of Saturn?
Memories & Sketch
Memory: Re-list the recess rules without checking the poster.
Sketch: A brand new planet.
THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY WEEK 1
Morning Work Task
Write a short appreciation note or thank-you message to a school helper (librarian or peer).
Would You Rather
Be 10 feet tall OR the size of a ladybug for a whole day?
Memories & Sketch
Memory: Close eyes and name the exact clock placement in the room.
Sketch: A trophy of kindness.
FRIENDLY FRIDAY WEEK 1
Morning Work Task
Finish any incomplete journal pages, then draw a favorite memory from this week.
Would You Rather
Have waffles on your shoes OR a donut around your neck?
Memories & Sketch
Memory: Recount the funniest thing that happened in class this week.
Sketch: A silly cartoon character.
Pro-Tips for Success:
- Low-Stakes Drawings: Emphasize that "Sixty-Second Sketch" is about imagination and rapid drafting, not artistic perfection. No erasing!
- Memory Mastery: For the Memories Game, keep the tone playful. If students cannot recall, say: "Our brains get stronger the next time we look carefully!"
- Catch-Up Support: On Friday morning, play some calming instrumental music as students wrap up unfinished writing from earlier in the week.
Morning Spark Club • Teacher Guide • Page 2 of 2 Designed for 3rd Grade Classrooms
Morning Spark Student Journal
Morning Spark Journal
Mindset Monday
Name:
Date:
Grow Your Brain!
Mistakes are proof that you are trying. Write or draw your thoughts below!
Task Think about a mistake you made recently (in math, reading, or at play) that helped you learn something new. What was it, and what did you learn?
My 60-Second Sketch: A Flying Bicycle
No erasing allowed!
My Mood Meter:
😢 😐 😊 🤩
Week 1 • Monday Spark Sheet
Morning Spark Journal
Teamwork Tuesday
Name:
Date:
Stronger Together!
Teamwork is about listening and sharing. Help solve the teamwork challenge below!
Scenario Two friends both want to play a different game during recess, and there are only 10 minutes left. Write down two compromises or ideas so they both have fun!
My 60-Second Sketch: A Helpful Robot
Keep your pencil moving!
My Recess Energy Level:
🔋 🪫
Week 1 • Tuesday Spark Sheet
Morning Spark Journal
Word & World Wednesday
Name:
Date:
Be Curious!
Let's warm up our brains with word structures and our amazing universe.
Part A: Word Wizard Change only ONE letter in the word SPARK to build three real words:
Part B: World Explorer What is one thing about nature, science, or the universe that makes you say "Wow!"?
My 60-Second Sketch: A Brand New Planet
Sketch fast!
Curiosity Meter:
🔍 🧐 🚀
Week 1 • Wednesday Spark Sheet
Morning Spark Journal
Thoughtful Thursday
Name:
Date:
Gratitude is Gold!
Let's share kindness. Writing thank-you notes is a great way to show friends they matter.
Appreciation Note Write a short thank-you note to a school worker, peer, or teacher who made your week awesome!
Dear ,
Your Friend,
My 60-Second Sketch: A Trophy of Kindness
Draw with pride!
Kindness Level:
❤️ 🌸 🤝
Week 1 • Thursday Spark Sheet
Morning Spark Journal
Friendly Friday
Name:
Date:
You Made It!
Friday is for finishing up work and celebrating! Check your work first, then write your favorite memory.
Morning Spark Slides
Week 1 • Morning Spark
Mindset Monday
TODAY'S THEME
Skills & Growth
GAME 1
Would You Rather?
Be able to speak every single human language in the world...
--- OR ---
Be able to talk to and understand animals?
Stand up for languages • Sit down for animals!
GAME 2
Memories Game
Close your eyes! Who can recall three specific details about Friday's school day?
- What did we do in science/math?
- What was served at lunch?
- Who won the recess game?
Build your focus • Strengthen your brain!
GAME 3
60-Second Sketch
Open your Morning Spark Journal and draw:
A Flying Bicycle
Ready? Teacher starts the 60-second timer!
Morning Spark Club • Slide 1 Double click to switch views if needed
Week 1 • Morning Spark
Teamwork Tuesday
TODAY'S THEME
SEL & Community
GAME 1
Would You Rather?
Always have to sing out loud instead of speaking...
--- OR ---
Always have to sprint/run everywhere instead of walking?
Singing votes: stand • Sprinting votes: sit!
GAME 2
Memories Game
Without looking, who can recall exactly what their desk neighbor is wearing today?
- What color is their shirt?
- Are they wearing sneakers?
- Do they have any designs on their shirt?
Focus on your community • Notice each other!
GAME 3
60-Second Sketch
Open your Morning Spark Journal and draw:
A Helpful Robot
Let's start! Keep your pencil moving!
Morning Spark Club • Slide 2 Double click to switch views if needed
Week 1 • Morning Spark
Word & World Wednesday
TODAY'S THEME
Skills & Growth
GAME 1
Would You Rather?
Explore the deepest, darkest trench of the ocean...
--- OR ---
Take a rocket trip to fly through the rings of Saturn?
Ocean explorer: stand • Space explorer: sit!
GAME 2
Memories Game
Without checking the poster in the classroom, who can recall at least 3 of our official recess safety rules?