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Mornings in kindergarten classrooms… a wild mix of sleepy kiddos, the smell of breakfast, and the promise of a new day. But really, the morning chaos can feel a little more like herding kittens than setting a positive tone for the day. That’s where morning tubs in kindergarten come to the rescue! These magical bins can transform your mornings from feeling frantic to fabulous. Let’s check out why morning tubs might become your new favorite teaching tool and how they can make your mornings the best part of your day!
In kindergarten, mornings matter! They set the stage for the entire day— not just for your students but for you too. A solid morning routine creates a calm, predictable environment where students feel safe and ready to learn. When kids know what to expect, they’re more confident and your classroom runs smoother.
Let’s jump to some science— Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to be exact! Basically, it says that kids need to feel safe and secure BEFORE they can ever even think about learning. Morning routines, like using morning tubs in kindergarten, help meet basic emotional needs. When these needs are met, the doors of kids’ minds are free to open up for all the academic magic to happen.
YOU are another key piece of this equation too. Your students need you to be physically and emotionally present for them first thing in the morning when they get to your classroom. That means being ready to greet them with a smile— not running all over the place setting up centers or searching for your coffee or classroom supplies.
EXPERT TEACHER TIP: Keep a mini morning checklist handy on your lanyard or near your workspace so you can easily get prepped for the day before your favorite learners arrive. You might even choose to prep for the morning as your final step before leaving the day before. Either way, when you’re organized, everyone wins!
Picture this: kids walk into your classroom, hang up their bookbags, and head straight to a table with colorful, hands-on materials waiting for them. No worksheets or stress— just creative play and happy vibes. THAT is the beauty of morning tubs in kindergarten!
Morning tubs are bins filled with open-ended, engaging materials that spark creativity and collaboration. They are not academic centers, and they’re definitely not “one-and-done” activities. Instead, they’re process-oriented and easily adaptable to meet the needs of all of your students.
The best part? Morning tubs give you time to check in with each student, take attendance, and even catch your breath a bit.
Not all activities are created equal when it comes to morning tubs in kindergarten. To make sure your tubs are a hit, stick to these four “yes’s”:
Morning tubs are NOT:
Morning tubs are about sparking joy— not adding pressure!
Making your own morning tubs is super simple. Here’s what you’ll need:
Shop your curriculum for manipulatives you already have on hand so you aren’t spending lots of extra money.
After you’ve made your morning tubs, use these Digital Center Rotation Slides as your final organizational piece for your morning routine!
These fully editable slides help your students know what is going on and what’s expected of them. Choose from over 160 center and supply icons with real pictures to help you manage your Morning Tub routine all year long.
These slides also include an optional timer to keep everyone focused and on task!
Consider the makeup of your classroom as you decide how to make morning tubs work best for you and your students:
If you choose to assign tables, use the editable group slide in the Digital Center Rotation Resource to make it easy for students to know where they should be and who they are working with.
Students go to a specific table each morning, and you rotate the materials each morning to keep things fresh and exciting. Kids stay in the same spot but materials are different!
Students pick their own table. Once the seats at one table are full, they have to choose another table.
No matter what you choose, take time to teach and model your expectations clearly for your students. Show them exactly how to use the materials, clean up, and interact with their peers. The more time you invest in modeling upfront, the smoother your mornings will go!
*Check out more ways to confidently teach classroom routines and procedures here.
As you consider adding morning tubs in your classroom, don’t overlook their many benefits:
Grab some of these favorite supplies to easily fill your morning tubs:
Mornings don’t have to be stressful! With morning tubs in kindergarten, you can create a welcoming, safe environment where kids are excited to start their day. Hands-on, simple activities in morning tubs give your students just enough structure and lots of opportunities for creativity. You’re already a great teacher— morning tubs are just icing on the cake!
I’m a teacher who believes in creating a classroom kids love and activities that keep them engaged all day!
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