A few years ago, Valerie, a first grade teacher, decided to introduce morning tubs into the daily classroom routine. It quickly became a favorite part of the day—not just for the students, but for the teacher as well. Let’s walk through her morning tub routine.
A few years ago, I introduced morning tubs, and they quickly became a class favorite! They give students a fun, hands-on start to the day while building collaboration and problem-solving skills.
But I wondered—were they really making the most of this time?
That’s where Morning Tub Reflection Sheets come in! They add just the right amount of accountability and critical thinking while keeping the fun alive.
(header image-maybe incorporating the image below with a reflection sheet added in? Reflection sheets: https://shop.luckylittlelearners.com/product/morning-work-morning-tub-reflection-tickets/)
How Morning Tubs Work in My Classroom
Morning tubs look a little different in every classroom, but here’s how I run them:
- A calm and predictable start – Students take care of their morning jobs (turning in agendas, notes, and lunch money) before choosing a tub.
- 10 minutes of hands-on learning – Early arrivals get the full time, while late arrivals get however much time is left.
- Small group collaboration – I set up one tub per table, with no more than four students per group.
- Easy clean-up routine – Students put materials back in their tubs and return them to an accessible shelf.
One simple rule keeps things fair: Any creations must be taken apart during clean-up. This way, everyone starts fresh the next day, and no one worries about their work getting “ruined.”
How do you solve disagreements?
Easy! We use “rock, paper, scissors” in my classroom to solve all disagreements. It works so well because they can solve problems on their own without any adult intervention. Giving students responsibility for their learning goes a long way!
Want another great way to foster classroom connections? Try Morning Meetings! This post shares how daily meetings help boost student confidence, strengthen relationships, and set a positive tone for the day.
What’s Inside My Morning Tubs?
I rotate different materials each week to keep things fresh and engaging. Here are some of my favorites:
- Building & STEM: Linking tubes, magnetic shapes, LEGO, Tinker Toys, K’nex, magnet sticks and balls, geoboards
- Math & Patterns: Tangram shapes, snap cubes, snap flakes, dominoes, pick-up sticks, math pattern blocks
- Fine Motor & Creativity: Solo cups (for stacking challenges), UNO cards, regular playing cards (with assigned games), whiteboards with sight words
I started small with Dollar Store finds and added more as I could. The goal isn’t to have the “coolest” materials—it’s to give students a chance to collaborate, create, and problem-solve together.
Getting Started on a Budget
Morning tubs don’t have to be expensive! Here are some easy ways to gather materials:
- Check Dollar Stores – Great for affordable building toys and game supplies.
- Ask families for donations – Many parents are happy to send in used LEGO, magnetic tiles, or cards.
- Apply for grants – Some schools offer mini-grants for hands-on learning materials.
- Check with administration – Sometimes there’s extra funding for STEM or hands-on learning.
The goal isn’t to have the “coolest” materials—it’s to create a space where students can explore, create, and problem-solve together.
Looking for more ideas to strengthen your morning routine? This post is packed with strategies for making mornings calm, consistent, and engaging.
Why Add Reflection Sheets?
As much as I love the benefits of morning tubs, I realized that students were having so much fun that they weren’t always thinking deeply about what they were learning. Some were sticking to the same activity every day, while others weren’t fully engaging in the problem-solving aspect of the tubs.
That’s why I introduced Morning Tub Reflection Sheets—and they made all the difference!
How Reflection Sheets Help
- Encourage deeper thinking – Instead of just playing, students process what they did and why it matters.
- Build accountability – Kids think about how they used their time and what they accomplished.
- Improve communication skills – Writing or drawing about their experience helps them organize their thoughts.
- Give teachers quick insight – A fast way to see who’s engaging, collaborating, and problem-solving effectively.
(image of a reflection sheet being used with morning tub materials: https://shop.luckylittlelearners.com/product/morning-work-morning-tub-reflection-tickets/)
How I Use Reflection Sheets
At the end of morning tubs, I take two minutes for a quick reflection. Students respond to a simple prompt like:
- What did you build or create today?
- What was the biggest challenge, and how did you solve it?
- How did teamwork help you?
- What would you do differently next time?
That’s it! Just a quick moment to think about their work—without taking away from the fun.
(image of a reflection sheet being used with morning tub materials: https://shop.luckylittlelearners.com/product/morning-work-morning-tub-reflection-tickets/)
Try Morning Tubs & Reflection Sheets in Your Classroom!
Want to make morning tubs even more meaningful? Try reflection sheets! Use them daily or just a few times a week—whatever works for your class.
When kids take time to pause and reflect, they get more out of their morning tubs—and teachers gain valuable insight into their learning and growth. ☀️
