Your winter vacation is over and the holiday cookies have all been eaten. Your bank account is depleted from all the Christmas shopping and the Hallmark movies are winding down. Don’t despair, though! The New Year is here and filled with possibilities! Here are some fun New Year activities you can complete in your classroom!
New Year in the Classroom
Are you noticing how different ringing in the New Year in a movie is versus in the life of a teacher? Sequined gowns, party horns tooting, the New York skyline in the background -seem to be the life of everyone on the screen. Fast forward to a teacher’s life. The dropping of the ball on New Year’s Eve is the big reminder that school is starting in a couple of days.
This is when you panic because you realize that you have been living life to the fullest in your cozy pajamas and not worrying about lesson plans. Somehow you deluded yourself into thinking you were out for summer vacation and had plenty of time to get those last minute grades in. The crowd begins to chant 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1! The shiny ball isn’t the only one that’s been dropped, you think. You need New Year activities and you need them FAST!
Breathe
Now that I’ve got your heart racing, just relax because I’ve got you covered! You deserved that time to indulge in gingerbread cookies and binge on Netflix. My New Year activities will ease your students back into the classroom and create a room full of smiles!
You’ll find everything you need for goal setting, bulletin board decorations, party crafts, and so much more!
#Goals
What I love best about January 1 is that it signals new beginnings. Out with the old, and in with the new. Everyone’s filled with renewed energy and the students seem to grow so much upon their return from vacation.
Teaching even your youngest students about goal setting is so important. “A goal without a plan is just a dream.” We all have heard the big buzzword “growth mindset” but what does it really mean? Basically it’s the belief that your abilities can be achieved through hard work and dedication.
Not with a lottery ticket, not with a golden ticket in the chocolate bar wrapper. I’ll say it again: through hard work and dedication. No one knows that more than a teacher! We set goals for our students at the beginning of the school year and they’re very specific. “Jasper will show at least 1 year growth in his STAR Reading assessment.”
We measure little Jasper’s scores throughout the year and make sure they are realistic to his abilities. When he sees that he can attain that growth through daily reading practice his confidence soars. By the time the year ends you have the data to see if the goal was met.
Hmmm, you’re probably thinking, “That sounds really familiar…” Of course it does! I’m talking about SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely.
Begin with the End in Mind
Goals for kids don’t have to be elaborate. Talk with your class about areas they want to improve upon. Reading fluency, math grades, learning how to do a cartwheel, etc. Help them see the steps they’ll need to achieve the goal and make a plan. “I want to make A’s and B’s in Reading during this grading period. I will read after school for 20 minutes.”
After you’ve set their brains in motion about growth mindset you’re ready to get the party started! Pop open one of my New Year craft packs and your class will be filled with smiles.
I hope your New Year is filled with laughter, love, and learning! My goal is to help busy teachers like you have plenty of fun ideas to use in the classroom without the stress of creating it!
Click here to get your creative New Year activities now!