Class Meetings Help Build Character, Enhance Social
Development
Class meetings can help to create a caring environment based on mutual respect
and trust while allowing students to learn about, and practice, democratic
processes.
Middle Matters » September 2007, Vol. 16, No. 1
by Damon L. Wade
Class meetings provide a time when students can come together to discuss class, school,
community, and societal issues. They are similar to the “morning meetings” that often are
held in primary-level classrooms, except that morning meetings tend to focus on academics.
Class meetings provide an excellent opportunity for teachers to foster a positive climate and
enhance the moral and ethical development of their students.
Class meetings can serve many purposes. For example, they can:
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Provide a forum for discussion and conflict resolution;
Build class unity;
Reinforce the curriculum;
Allow students to make suggestions and plan activities;
Serve as an effective classroom-management tool;
Recognize and celebrate class and individual accomplishments;
Provide an occasion for enjoying one another’s company; and
Help students grow as individuals and appreciate the cultural diversity represented by
their classmates.
Class meetings provide an opportunity for teachers to model good character, empowering
students to resolve conflicts in a positive way rather than engaging in negative behaviors
such as fighting or bullying. Additionally, when students feel a sense of unity and belonging,
they are more likely to do better in their schoolwork.
There is no limit to the range of topics that are suitable for discussion during a class meeting.
Meetings can focus on specific issues that have arisen in the classroom or school, discussions
of books or current events to reinforce the curriculum, or general themes such as setting
goals, taking responsibility, working cooperatively, or showing respect for others.
Meetings are most beneficial if they are held on a regular schedule—once a week, for
example. In a middle school setting, the team, activity, or enrichment period can be an ideal
time to hold class meetings.
Getting Started
Some teachers post the agenda for the meeting at the beginning of the week, leaving the
discussion section blank so that students can add their ideas for discussion topics. Other
teachers use a shoebox so students can submit discussion topics anonymously.
One of the leading advocates for class meetings, veteran teacher Donna Styles, suggests that
teachers:
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Use a formal process and hold meetings every week;
Move chairs into a circle formation to facilitate discussion;
Use meetings to help create a positive classroom environment; and
Empower students to lead the meetings, make decisions, and arrive at solutions to
problems on their own.
It is important to share information about the meetings—how they will work, what kinds of
topics will be covered, etc.—with the school administrator and parents. Depending on the
format and the topics, it may be necessary to get parental and administration permission.
For example, one popular strategy is to have students take turns bringing in foods that are
representative of their ethnic backgrounds, which may conflict with the district’s healthy
food initiative. In addition, food allergies may be an issue for some students. As an
alternative to food, students might use dance, music, or poetry to share aspects of their
culture with classmates.
A typical agenda for a class meeting may look like this:
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Greeting. One student each week begins the meeting with a greeting in his or her
native language.
Positive recognition and appreciation. During this portion of the meeting, the
students recognize the positive actions of their classmates and celebrate their
accomplishments.
Discussion. Both the teacher and the students may submit discussion topics. A good
source of discussion ideas is www.goodcharacter.com.
Cultural sharing. The student who opened the meeting shares something that is
representative of his or her ethnic background.
During the first class meeting, the teacher will need to assist the students in establishing the
guidelines for the meetings. It also is important at this time to model the democratic process
that is a crucial component of the meetings. According to Styles, the teacher and student
leader each have specific functions to perform during class meetings.
The teacher acts as:
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Coach, providing guidance to the student leader when necessary;
Secretary, keeping a record of discussions held and decisions made; and
Group member, offering information only when needed and making comments only
when necessary to keep the tone positive and helpful.
The student leader:
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Opens and closes the meeting;
Keeps the meeting running smoothly;
Keeps discussions on topic;
Follows the agenda for the meeting;
Participates as a member;
Asks questions, clarifies, or restates problems or ideas; and
Summarizes what has been discussed and agreed upon.
In the end, the relationships teachers form with their students and the character they model in
class meetings can go a long way toward helping to ensure success in school and in society.
Reference
Styles, D. (2001). Class meetings: Building leadership, problem-solving and decisionmaking skills in the respectful classroom. Markham, Ontario, Canada: Pembroke Publishers.
Damon Wade is a language arts teacher at Ridley Middle School in Ridley Park,
Pennsylvania. His e-mail address is Damon_Wade@ridleysd.k12.pa.us.