It’s that time of year again, back from winter break! It’s true we have a countdown in the classroom eagerly waiting for the start of winter break. But many of us don’t give too much thought to returning from winter break! We want to blissfully believe that winter break will never end, But. It. Does. End. And what now, what can we do for back from winter break activities?
What do we do when returning from winter break? Do we dread the next coming months until spring break? I know some of us got that countdown to spring break started!!! Well, that is no way to be! Especially when we have back from winter break activities in store for our students. If we map out what we want to do before the break happens we will have a much better experience when returning from winter break.
But what if you are reading this after the first day of returning from winter break? No worries you can still do what I am suggesting anytime in January and make a note to yourself to start the following December. Ideally, you want to use your planning time at work wisely during the month of December. Think about and map out those back from winter break activities for the first week back in January. Plan according to what will work for you! You could make an outline or write detailed lesson plans. The key is for you to know what will take place. This way you can truly enjoy your winter break knowing that the first week back is already planned.
In this blog post, I will talk about 3 types of back from winter break activities. (1) Reviewing rules, procedures, and expectations, (2) trying something new with the schedule, and (3) incorporating fun into the curriculum.
Reviewing Rules, Procedures, and Expectations
Yes, I’m going to talk about rules, procedures, and expectations. I know, you thought this was a blog post about glitter, crafts, and fun activities! We are starting off talking about rules, procedures, and expectations because those other things will follow. We know as teachers the reality is we can’t do anything with our students if their behavior is horrible.
Structure in the classroom is needed in order to do fun activities! Review rules, procedures, and expectations like it’s the first day of school. Just take the first couple of days returning from winter break to review expectations with students. Don’t think for a moment when dealing with older students that they should know what to do. They need reminders too! And not only do they need reminders, but they also need to know that you are still following through with expectations no matter the time of year. This lets students know that you mean what you say. Allowing students to clearly know boundaries in the classroom helps to build your class community. To read more about class community, read my blog “5 Tips for Creating a Caring Community in the Classroom”.
Increase your expectations for your students. After all, it is the second half of the school year. Since I teach 6th grade, I always stress to my students that they are almost 7th graders. That they need to get ready for the next school year. And we still have important work to do in order to prepare them for the next grade.
Mix Up The Schedule
Try mixing up the schedule a bit. Changing up your schedule and your student’s schedules even if it is just a little change can make a big difference. When it comes to your schedule here are some suggestions. Can you take 10 minutes at the end of the school day to mini prep for tomorrow morning? That way you can come to work at your start time instead of trying to come in early in the morning to run copies.
Can you pack a favorite snack in your lunch bag? Then eat this snack during your planning period while you plan. If you haven’t been using your planning period wisely during the first half of the school year, now would be a great time to take advantage of every minute. Close your classroom door and get to work! For example, on Mondays and Tuesdays, I grade work from the previous week. Along with your planning time use moments throughout the day to continue to get tasks done. Are your students working independently for 10 to 15 minutes? Work on a task. My goal by the end of the week is to have all tasks done. All tasks done well not perfectly! Remember teaching is a career where there is always work, and if you don’t set time limits and boundaries you will be working all the time.
Can you were your favorite outfit or item? A favorite shirt, skirt, pants, or boots. It is amazing how clothing can help change the way we feel. For me, I know when I am wearing something I love it helps me to feel good. That positive energy then spills over into my work.
For your student’s schedule, can you change the time of activities for when they are with you? For elementary teachers can you switch your math and reading times within your day? Can you add 15 minutes of silent reading after lunch/ recess to help set the tone for the afternoon? For middle school teachers can you mix up the order of your teaching block? Instead of starting off with the whole class, can you start having your students work independently and then move into whole class work?
Incorporate Fun Into The Curriculum!
Ok so now we are ready to talk about doing fun activities when returning from winter break. I like to ease into the curriculum when returning from winter break. This allows me to review rules, procedures, and expectations without trying to rush through them. It also helps me to allow students to get adjusted back to the school schedule.
Currently, my students finished up novel study projects they started before winter break. It was great to give them that time to be creative while easing back into our schedule. It also helped with building our class community. Students were able to talk with their classmates while completing their novel study projects.
Here are some back from winter break activities that students can do in the classroom. (1) Cross-curricular winter-themed unit. My teammates and I will be doing a cross-curricular winter-themed unit mid-January to make the winter months more exciting. I will be doing winter themed read alouds, poetry, creative writing, and crafts with our students. I will hang up students’ creative work and crafts in the classroom. Winter decor during the winter months helps liven up the classroom. Students also get to help decorate their space which helps build class community.
(2) Do activities where students can tell what they did over winter break. They can show this through artwork, creative writing, and poetry. It is important to show value to all students in regards to what they did. Even if they stayed home over the break and did not travel they need to know that their time was still valuable. I created two vacation journal products when I taught elementary school. You can find them here and here in my TPT store. The vacation journals are lap books and can be used for returning to school after winter, spring, summer, and fall breaks. I created them to help include students who may not have traveled anywhere during their break. Students can still discuss things they may have watched or who they played with over break.
(3) New Year’s goal-setting activities can be done with your students. Perhaps you have a Happy New Year welcome banner and party hats ready for when your students return from winter break. Work with your students to create goals with them for the New Year, quarter, or the second half of the school year.
Conclusion
Remember returning from winter break doesn’t have to be a tough experience full of dread. With some planning you can (1) begin with reviewing rules, expectations, and procedures, (2) mix up the schedule a bit, and (3) incorporate fun into the curriculum.
