Ringing in the New Year

Mixed Emotions

Looking forward to going back to work in the new year? It’s okay if you are not! I, often, have a hard time adjusting to teaching after being in rest and relaxation mode for 12 days. It’s so nice not hearing my name 50 times a day, being able to drink hot coffee, using the bathroom when I need to, wearing comfy clothes all day long, etc. The best piece of advice I can recommend for easing back into work is having a routine. I set my work clothes out for the next day and pack my lunch the night before. This routine makes the weekdays go smoothly as I am prepped and ready. Another one of my routines is going to the gym right after school. This routine helps me unwind and ease the stress of the workday.

Tough Adjustment for All

Keep in mind, adults are not the only ones that can have a hard time being back at school. Some students are coming back to school after having little to no rules/expectations at home, staying up all night every night during break playing video games, watching Tic Tok videos, snap chatting, etc. Some students have not picked up a book to read or a pencil to write since leaving your classroom. Coming back from winter break can be an adjustment for all.

Jurassic Park Vibes

My team and I have a running joke that our sweet and innocent sixth-graders change over winter break. Students come back to school with serious attitudes, forgetting the rules/expectations, and acting a little crazier than usual. It’s like puberty hit over break and their raging hormones are all over the place. The first week back after break, I often find myself asking, “What happened to the sixth graders I knew and loved?” Okay, maybe I am being a little dramatic but some days it feels like a walk in the park; Jurassic Park to be exact.

New Year’s Activities

To help ease the transition back to school (or Jurassic Park), I’m sharing three activities for ringing in the new year:

Middle of the Year Refresher Post-It Note Activity

The Middle of the Year Refresher Post-It Note Activity (FREE) is a quick and fun way to get feedback from your classes while building a classroom community, and reviewing rules, procedures, expectations, etc.. Set the statements around the room and students move in groups to each statement station. Each student or each group can record their answers on post-its for the various statements, and then stick their post-it note right on the poster. I would recommend color-coding post-it notes by class if you have multiple classes. At the end of class, you can use student responses as a springboard for a review of the classroom community, policies, procedures, rules, etc.

Inferencing and Goal Setting New Year Activity

The Inferencing and Goal Setting New Year Activity is designed to help students make inferences about the meaning of the word “Firebreather” (as it relates to athletes) using their prior knowledge and the clues that are given. A “Firebreather” is someone who is relentless and perseveres through hardships. Then, students will use the definition they inferred (and the actual definition) to set 2 goals for how they can be Firebreathers in 2020 personally and academically.

New Year: 2020 Vision Bulletin Board Kit

The New Year: 2020 Vision Bulletin Board Kit is designed to promote goal setting to ring in the new year. Students receive the sunglasses sheet, create 2 goals for the new year, and create a 3-step action plan for crushing each goal. If you want to display, bulletin board letters are included to spell out “2020 Vision”. Students can decorate sunglasses, cut out, and put on a bulletin board display.

One Final Note

As difficult as it may be to return to the classroom after winter break, do it with a smile! Don’t assume that every student had a wonderful holiday break. Some students have waited all of break to see you and be in their ‘safe haven’ again. Love your students hard and make them feel welcome!

I hope these activities help you to ring in the new year with your students and set a positive tone for 2020! What are your favorite activities for ringing in the new year in your classroom?