We got some great results from our last survey – How do you maintain your classroom before holiday breaks?
“It works well to do interactive small group projects, like making posters or models. I avoid videos because the result is antsy kids. By getting them out of their seats and talking with a purpose the problem is solved.” – Diana M.
“First I have to maintain myself! It is easy to fall behind because it is a very busy time with semester finals coming up. I make sure I don’t fall behind, taking advantage of spare moments to grade papers, enter grades, edit final reviews and edit finals. I keep my sanity by taking home as little work as possible. Now for the classroom. The key is to keep them busy! Since semester finals are coming up, we do active reviews in the classroom using a learner response system (clickers) or a low tech version where the students write answers on little dry erase boards and show their answers. I sporadically hand out candy for correct answers, or for good effort. Then they have review assignments. This keeps them focused and ready for their finals.” – Kathy M.
“I have extra fun activities for the students to do, like crosswords, math graphing, word searches etc.” – Sabrina C.
“For me, I always use the last few days before Christmas break, Easter break, or any other vacation during the year to gives tests, quizzes, unit tests, and exams. This forces them to be focused and on task, and it work to perfection (or nearly perfection) at all times! The worst thing I can do is give book work, show an education video, or anything that doesn’t have a powerful impact on their grade! This doesn’t sound too thrilling, but it helps students focus until the very end!!! Occasionally the day before a holiday break, I might break down and do a fun activity, but not always!!” Brian F.
“Plan, Plan, Plan!!! Keep every minute filled with student projects and presentations, Google Classroom assignments, field trips, 9 week rewards, and have additional activities planned that you don’t think you will have time to complete because you just might!” – Tabitha J.
“The week before finals and the last week of the regular school semester I plan a day to organize students Biology notebooks. After we organize I have the student look through and find good Taboo questions and answers. I give each student 3 or 4 note cards to write a word or phrase then on a sticky note they write the definition. The sticky notes are placed face down on the back of the note card and groups of 4 or 5 students compile their cards. We play a modified game of Taboo for review. Kids stay engaged and learn. The variety of questions give a very comprehensive review.” – Kathleen K.
“Give your tests at the beginning of the week. By the end of the week, a lot of kids leave early for vacations. The last two days I show a a winter movie called “8 Below.” The kids love it and they consider it a real treat!” – Debra D.
“I am not ashamed to say that I took a page out of my father’s book and broke out the Lemon Drops. My dad used to give us old fashioned candies to maintain order at home. He always seemed to have a stash of Lemon Drops or slightly chewy (just a lil’ stale) Circus Peanuts handy to keep the four of us kids in line. Last week, I brought in a bag of Lemon Drops and a bag of Spiced Gum Drops to see if they had the same old magic. Boy did they!! It’s a week later and my students are begging for more. I think we will ease right into winter break on the sweet train. Thanks Dad!” – Crystal G.
“I always try to completely change our focus coming into a break. I often incorporate a volunteer project to try to divert the attention of the count down and focus my students in a different direction. For example, over the next few weeks, my students are leading the charge to collect toys for the Toledo Children’s Hospital. Reaching out and helping others is a great way to keep my students focused the last few weeks.” – Shannon B.
“Turn on Holiday music. If we work quietly we can hear the music. Have themed activities and work in pairs.” – Minda D.
“I start with myself. Whatever I’m feeling will likely carry over to the class, so I make a concerted effort to get plenty of sleep, eat well, and have my plans and materials in order before the week begins. I remind myself to be steady and calm. I anticipate that the students will be wound up and to not take it personally. I’ll remind the class of expectations. I’ll keep a smile on my face (and mean it). It’s the end of our semester, so it also means grades. I do any assessments or set due dates for the week before. This last week I will build in time for kids to reflect on their year and work so far. They have writing and reading portfolios that they can add to. I have favorite poems or short stories to read and build upon, i.e. ‘The Gift of the Magi.'” – John S.
“The last full week before break in my classroom I do a behavior incentive- each day the class starts with the word “TREAT” on the board. If the class gets excessively disruptive I erase a letter. As long as they have at least one letter left at the end of the day they get a star for the day. At the end of the week if they have 4 out of 5 days with a star they get a special treat the next week! The students are great about keeping each other accountable and I love being able to reward their hard work the week before break.” – Hailey Sult
“I have fun and engaging research projects over the explorers. This project incorporates research, coloring, and presentations that allow the students time to talk and learn with their peers. I rarely have issues with classroom management and students getting restless because it allows them to be moving, coloring, and talking. The activity helps to structure the class time.” – Anthony M.
“I teach 8th grade History and so for me staying with our regular curriculum and keeping our routine the same, keeps my kiddos from checking out early. Nothing fancy, I just need to get my sleep so I can keep up with their energy level.” – Laura F.
“I keep my class on a normal schedule, but also try to have fun through adding Christmas themed materials to our regular routine. Routine is key to maintain classroom order.” – Susan C.
“Use content related but engaging activities. Hands on or activities that keep the kids moving are the best!” – Nichelle P.
“Even with the traditional community service programs, holiday concerts and sporting events, the last week of school is a review week of first semester academics. In order to maintain a sense of fun and wonder of this remarkable time of year, students are encouraged to share holiday memories, decorate classrooms and enjoy holiday music as they work on review packets and in study groups leading up to mid-term-exams. All in all, the plan is a collaborative effort, planned by teachers and supported by the students. Order and organization are the underlying theme. Students find themselves relaxed and prepared if they see the value in this formula. It is magical to watch unfold.” – Scott M.
“I teach geology in the fall semester, and we do a case study of Yellowstone National Park as a culmination of everything that the students learned over the semester. Of course, they are very interested in what would happen if the Yellowstone super-volcano were to erupt. So while the students work on their semester review packets, I play the made-for-TV movie “Supervolcano.” It takes about 3 days to watch, keeps them interested in the geology, and reviews many of the topics that we covered in class.” – Kellina G.
“With my eighth grade students we have a short unit on public speaking. The final assignment of the unit is to prepare a 4 minute speech on the college you think you would like to attend. Local universities are excluded and students have to look beyond their comfort zone. The week prior to the holiday break is the presentation of speeches, teacher and classmate critiques, and questions and answers. The unit allows students to interact and share with one another their research and to take time to think about their future plans. I have done this for several years. This past spring a graduating senior appeared at my door to inform me that she had been accepted into her dream school from eighth grade – The University of Notre Dame!” – Mike J.
“I teach sixth and seventh grade language arts. The students have book report projects due and are also working on essays. A standard practice in my room when they are to be working silently is that I tell them if they are chatting they must be ready to turn the project/essay in. This works well in keeping the room quiet. Our school also has a discipline matrix that uses a folder-pull system. Each minor discipline folder pull results in phone calls home, lunch detentions, and meetings with the grade level team. The threat of a folder pull works well too.” – Karen N.
“Kids naturally are chatty and want to be social, so closer to break, we stay the course with the curriculum, but allow the students to be more creative with their assignments or assessments. We are a 1:1 district with iPads, so we allow them to choose to study for a final exam using a variety of study tools like Quizlet, Kahoot, etc. or they can demonstrate their learning by creating an iMovie, Theme Song using Garage Band, a News Cast using Green Screen and iMovie, etc. This allows them to work with peers and be social, as well as share ideas, collaborate with others, get up and move around when needed, etc. and stay engaged knowing that a break is around the corner.” – Dana Goff
“When we are nearing an extended break I try to review material already covered that needs reteaching. I also incorporate a lot of activities to keep the students involved.” – Adrienne Henderson
“I have a class competition before the break. Each day, my classes work to earn points. At the end of the week, the class with the most points earns a prize–donuts and juice, popcorn, or some reading time. It works well every year!” – Dannielle H.
“This is a very hard task ! Two minutes before each class dismisses, I tell them they may not exit until their group/pod’s appearance is up to my standards with regards to cleanliness and materials put away. Here towards the end of the semester, students try to get by by doing the absolute minimum and so I have to be even more of a stickler if I want my classroom to still be presentable. At times, it is chaos, I have to admit ! But you also have to have fun and realize just where the student’s minds are at ( and mine sometimes!) “ – Peter C.
“Encourage the students to be on their best behavior, so they can finish the first half of the school year strong. Motivate students by giving recognition for positive attitudes, behavior, and good work. Give out daily awards…include a treat…or just give the award by itself. Use printed certificates or make your own. Some students just need some extra love at this time…some need to know they’re appreciated…some need to be reminded that their effort, hard work, and positive attitude has not gone unnoticed. This is a very easy and free way to recognize positive traits in your students. Here are some Award Certificate Ideas:
Wonderful Christmastime All the Time with You As a Student Award
Santa Clause is Comin’ to Town Nice Behavior List Award
Little Drummer Boy Can’t Beat Your Spectacular Work Award
Let It Go Forgiveness Award
Peace, Joy, and Love Award Fa, La, La, La, La, La, La, La, La! Oh! How Proud We Are of You Award
The First Noel the Angels Did Say What a Heavenly Student You Are Award
Go Tell It on the Mountain and Everywhere About Your Hard Work and Effort Award
You Make Every Holiday a “Happy Holiday” and O Happy Day Award
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas and to Thank You for Your Big Effort and Big Help Award
Sleigh Ride Fun Friend Award
Twas the Night Before Christmas and You Did It Again Amazing Effort Award
All Twelve Days of Christmas and Everyday You Are a Special and Loved Student Award
Angels We Have Heard on High Praising Your Outstanding Work and Effort
There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays or Our Classroom Because of You Award
Santa Baby You Have Really Made the “A” List Work Award
Walking in a Winter Wonderland with You in Our Class Award
The Christmas Shoes Everywhere You Go You Do Good Award
Jingle Bell Joy Award Silent Night Silent Worker Award
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas Attitude Award
You Put the Extra Merry in Christmas in Award
Spreading Christmas Cheer Award
Holly Jolly Attitude Award
You Put Joy in Our World Award
Deck the Halls and Walls with Amazing Work Award
Deck the Halls with Helping Hands Award
Jingle Bell Rockin’ Out Awesome Work Award
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year with You as a Student Award
Hark! The Herald Angels are Singing Over Your Amazing Work Award
Do You Hear What I Hear? Everyone in Our Class Giving You a Cheer Award
Do You Hear What I Hear? Quiet Worker Award Silver Bells Are Ringing Over Your Consistent Work and Effort Award
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear That You’re a Respectful and Polite Student Award
Run Rudolph Run Quick to Help Award
All I Want for Christmas is for You to Be Blessed Award
Frosty the Snowman Hats Off to Your Improvement Award
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree Magnificent Work Award
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let Everybody Know How Awesome You Are Award
It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas Obedience Award
O Come, All Ye Faithful Loyal Friend Award
Here Comes Santa Claus Best Effort Award
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Leadership Award” – Pam A.