Winter break can feel far away with so much going on in and out of school. Engaging students during the holidays doesn't have to be complicated. With a few small tweaks to your classroom, you can take a chaotic time and make it (a little) less stressful!
CONSISTENCY IS KEY
It can be easy for students (and teachers) to lose motivation as the holiday break nears. One way to combat the winter blues is to add in assignments or lessons that are part of the normal routine but with a holiday or winter twist.
Winter Video of the Day is a fun and engaging way to add in writing and classroom discussions this time of year. There are short winter-themed videos that can spark new ideas for students to have conversations about. Giving students the opportunity to talk about the unique videos will make the writing assignments so much easier!
Keeping routines the same is so important during this festive season. Simple changes can make a huge difference without losing the structure or routines you have worked so hard to create this school year!
SEASONAL ACTIVITIES
Sometimes adding in a little seasonal fun is just what your class needs. Something that is still rich in academic content with a holiday twist.
Holiday Video of the Day can be a great way to add meaningful seasonal or holiday excitement to your everyday assignments. Add these to your lesson plans for a done-for-you creative writing assignment with a holiday theme.
Holiday Video of the Day
These holiday themed slides with short video clips are the perfect way to encourage writing and discussions in your classroom. The Video of the Day – Holiday Writing Prompts and Discussion Starters are so easy to use with little to no prep work. Holiday activities with a purpose – writing and discussions!
Another fun activity I love to add in is the Reindeer Cam! Students LOVE watching a live feed of Santa's reindeer. I use this website HERE! It's fun to show the reindeer while students complete their morning routine or morning work. Then, put the feed on throughout the day during work times to see what the reindeer are up to!
The best part of the Holiday Videos of the Day and the reindeer cam is that they are the perfect activities to bring some holiday cheer into the classroom, without all the prep!
REINFORCE EXPECTATIONS
The holidays are a fun and exciting time that can easily become too much in a classroom. One strategy that helps keep teachers sane is reinforcing classroom rules and expectations. THIS IS KEY! Classroom management bingo is perfect for keeping students on the “nice list” during this busy holiday season!
Winter bingo or holiday bingo is a great tool to use to keep students focused on a specific expectation. Use bingo to remind students about…
- transitions
- on task
- no blurts
- and more!
What is super helpful is you and your class can work together to decide on a prize when they get a bingo – hello holiday movie reward! Bingo is a super easy but powerful tool to help reinforce positive behavior expectations!
Not to mention, the winter or holiday theme is the PERFECT way to incorporate seasonal fun into the classroom while reinforcing expectations during exciting holiday activities.
Classroom management is an important part of school. Staying consistent, reinforcing student behavior expectations, and having a little fun can build classroom community and make the classroom a great place to be for everyone during the upcoming holidays!
You can make it to winter break for a much-needed, long break full of relaxation and rest! I hope an idea or two can help make the month of December seem easier and less stressful for you and your class.
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