Winter break seems to come and go with the blink of an eye. When it's time to return to class I will encourage you to take it slowly. Remember to meet your students where they are, carve out some time to review expectations, and reflect on what worked (or didn't) last term, and encourage them to set new goals. Many students will be ready to return to class, while others will be very much out of sync and will need extra care. Take the time to read the extra picture book (some of my favorite goal setting books can be found below), and give yourself a lot of grace this time of year. By allowing time for your students to reflect, make changes, and set goals, you will be helping them ease back into the demands of the classroom more tenderly. Here are three tips to help you transition smoothly back into the classroom after a break.
1. Review Rules and Procedures
Helping your students get back in the groove is going to be important. Alarms, transitions, meeting deadlines, and working within a group are all things that may have been forgotten the past few weeks. Make sure to take time to review class expectations and procedures so everyone is on the same page as to what and how things are to be accomplished.
2. Reflect On What Is and Isn't Working
What makes your class stand out from all the others down the hallway? Is it your amazing classroom management, the dance parties you hold every day, or your students feeling a part of a team? The new year is a great time turbo charge the aspects that are going well; as well as fine tune or change things that just aren't functioning. Your students will also benefit from taking the time to reflect on what is working well for them academically, socially, and behaviorally.
3. Set Goals For Students to End the Year Strong
If you use a daily bullet lists for your tasks, it feels good to check them off, doesn't it? Let's help your students feel that same sense of accomplishment by making plans to achieve their goals, and finish the year strong. Make sure to let your students check in with their goals periodically to see if they need to reset the goal, or if they can check it off accomplished.
Goal Setting Read Alouds
Looking for picture books to help accompany these tasks? Here are some of my favorites.
2) The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba is the true story of a boy who is determined to create electricity for his family by using a bicycle and other scrap materials.
3) Salt In His Shoes by Deloris and Roslyn Jordan tell the tale of a young Michael Jordan and his pursuit of achieving his basketball dreams.
4) Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett has two take-aways: 1) just keep trying, and 2) if something doesn't work, it's okay to change course and start again.
5) The World Is Not a Rectangle by Jeanette Winter is the story of female Muslim architect Zaha Hadid, who had to overcome many obstacles in her path to becoming an architect in Iraq.
These books make a great accompaniment for the free printables below. With hard work and perseverance, I hope your students are ready to tackle the remainder of the school year.
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