Five Tips to Help You Survive December in the Classroom
Teaching in December is not easy!
Then these next few weeks can be some of the most challenging weeks of the year.
Here are some tips to help you survive teaching in December and thrive!
Routine, Routine, Routine
Students love routine!
During these next few weeks, parents are often under stress, and home schedules are crazy. Having a routine at school can help students feel safe and secure.
Continue with the routines that are working in your classroom. Morning work, reading groups, math block, try to keep it as “normal” as possible.
Give a Little Grace
High behavior standards are essential for our students, but pressure, excitement, and exhaustion sometimes set in. It may be the time to let some of the little things go and focus on what your students are doing right. A little praise and affirmation can go a long way this time of year.
Give yourself grace too!
There is nothing wrong with assigning computer activities, independent work packets, or cooperative tasks.
Try a Holiday Skill Review, a Holiday Scavenger Hunt, or a Cooperative Holiday Writing Activity.
Lighten the Load
Late nights shopping, traveling, and sheer excitement can wreak havoc on students’ rest and sleep schedules. If you are a school that assigns homework or projects, you may want to think about lightening the load a bit.
Try a Holiday Choice Board, assigning just silent reading, or a Giving Activity if your school gives homework. (This one is a FREEBIE!)
Party? Not!
Go low-key on the party this year. This year, you do not have to be the “hostess with the mostest”! Ask parents to donate a few snacks and watch a movie.
Holiday Centers are a great way to tame the chaos while still keeping students focused on academics. For example, when I taught fifth grade, I would offer a math center using Holiday Math Activities, a center with different holiday books for silent reading, an ELA center with some fun Holiday ELA activities, and a center for making holiday cards. Easy peasy!
Need a Simple and Inexpensive Gift for Your Students?
There is so much pressure to give ALL of your students gifts. But with at least twenty students, that can be a strain on the budget.
If you need suggestions for cute and budget-friendly student gifts, check out this blog post: 9 Free or Almost Free Gifts for Students
Grab this FREE Holiday Pencil Holder resource! Simply print, cut, and slide a new pencil in. A super easy, super practical gift from teacher to students!
Take Care of What Matters
Teaching in December is not easy, but Winter Break is coming!
Finally, take care of yourself and your family. I remember one time my sons said, Mom, you are always buying stuff for your students, not us!” Ouch! Do what you need to to make this holiday season more about good times and memories than anything else!
Enjoy your Winter break!
