If you want to change your classroom narrative this time of year, check out these 5 amazing teaching tips that will set you and your students up for a great last week together. (Plus they’ll give you that thriving fresh start in the new year that will feel like a breath of fresh air!)
Does it ever feel like your students’ have a switch that magically gets flipped the week leading into a holiday break?? Been there…. heck, every teacher has been there. Well, I’m here to share that this typically overwhelming time doesn’t have to be that way. I’ve got the teacher tips to flip the switch back! We can actually use the week before break to our benefit!! Let’s set ourselves and our students up for a super successful and smooth transition back after the break.
An aspect to classroom management that often gets overlooked is being prepared. So I want to share 5 quick teacher tips that we can do this week.
Helloooo fresh start!
Teaching Tips: Number 1
Teaching Tip #1 – Preparing your room; this means sending home bulletin board displays and classwork. It means having students clean their desks, putting up your January calendar, and having the bulletin boards ready for new work. Cleaning the whiteboard, organizing your own desk…etc. Whatever will make you walk into your classroom in January and breathe a breath of gratefulness.
Teaching Tips: Number 2
Teaching Tip #2- Rewrite a clean and clear to-do list for when you get back, and LEAVE it at school! If there are a few things you didn’t get to (or you know you need to do as soon as you get back) write them down. Then leave the list right in the middle of your clean desk. Take time to relax and re-energize when you’re on break. Your brain will be ready to check those tasks off when you return.
Teaching Tips: Number 3
Teaching Tip #3- Prep for your first day back. When preparing for your first day back it’s super helpful to have your lesson plans written and copies made. Having to wait in line or unjamming the copier on your first day back is never fun. Wouldn’t you rather be catching up with your coworkers and easing yourself back into the work routine? Have any resources or manipulatives you’ll need for the day sitting on the table ready to go as well. Having everything done and laid out will give you extra time the morning you return, plus you won’t have it lingering in your mind over break.
Teaching Tips: Number 4
This is a 2 for 1. When prepping for your first day back schedule remember you’re easing back into the routine (or being thrown back in) and so are your students! It’s really important to plan activities that will give you the most back for you buck. It’s an old teacher tip to always review and practice your procedures when you return. This will SAVE SO MUCH TIME down the road when you aren’t stopping every two seconds to correct behaviors. One of the not-so-well-known teacher tips I love sharing is to also plan time for students time to connect socially and emotionally (with you and with each other). It’s tempting to jump straight into curriculum because we have so much to do, but trust me, taking time to do these 2 types of activities will serve you so well in the long run.
If you’re looking for some team-building, goal-setting, New Year activities these are some of my favorite for when returning from break.
New Years Resolutions For Kids
Digital Goal Setting and
Community Building
Kindness Activities for January
Teaching Tips: Number 5
Take out your phone right now and set a “reminder” two days before school starts. The reminder is to plan out your first few outfits for when you return. Having your clothes ready, your lessons ready, and room ready will create a calm, smooth, and successful transition back to the classroom for you and your kiddos. I hope these teaching tips have been helpful!
Take a deep breath and enjoy your break!
P.S. Are you looking for ways to cultivate a culture of kindness in your classroom? Eliminate disruptive behaviors? Help your students with social-emotional learning? I’ve got your answer! Check out this totally free teacher guide right here.
If you’re looking for other fun winter activities check out this blog post on my favorite ways to teach the Chinese New Year: https://shannonmareeteaching.com/chinese-new-year-activities/
