I have found a couple positives to this system
1) It allows me quick assessment of students situations and lives outside of the
classroom (sometimes there are bigger things going on that we don't know about that are important)
2) Students get the chance to share their weekends under 5 minutes
3) It allows for empathy and excitement for fellow students, and in some cases the
teacher. I have even had students (and myself actually once this year) break down during
this quick time in the morning based off of divorce, death, etc. and, while some may
shrink from this happening in the classroom, it allows all of us to become what we
are - a family. Watching students hugging each other, sharing when that has
happened to them as well, getting each other tissues, high fiving for a basketball
winning score, questions about a new puppy, and sharing stories means that there is
more than just academic learning going on in my classroom. It has become a favorite in our room - Woe to the teacher to forgets playing HIGH LOW Monday
morning! (ha!)
Sometimes I like to change it up a little bit though so we do "Three Word Weekends". They have to share three words (no more, no less) that sums up their weekend. Then they share their sticky note with the three words with their partners. If they have summarized and chose their words well, their partner should be able to infer what happened - this is a little difficult for some kids but is a great review for summary!