The first day back after winter break is not without its challenges. Most of your students probably experienced a lot less structure to their days, sleeping in, spending a lot of time with their families and friends, and having plenty of time to rest and play.
Easing them back into the school routine will take a little careful planning. But it’s important to put some plan and thought into the day, just like you did on the first day of school. Because it is kind of like the first day of school all over again.
Here are six tips to help you (and your students) make the transition gracefully.
#1 Expect them to be tired the first day back after winter break.
You won’t be the only one that’s tired on the first day back to school after winter break. Your students will be too.
Allow your students a gentle lead-in before ramping the pace back up to full speed. Just like an athlete who takes a break from training, your students will need a little time to get back in shape.
The good news is that generally the shorter the break, the quicker the recovery. Don’t worry – it should just take a few days to get back into the swing of things.
#2 Review rules and routines.
Getting back to the classroom community you worked so hard to establish during the first semester as quickly as possible is the ultimate goal after winter break. Review classroom rules and norms and reteach routines to refresh students’ memories.
Reassure your class that nothing has changed – they are returning to the same classroom with the same expectations that they left just a couple of short weeks ago.
#3 Review academic concepts.
The first day back after winter break is not the time to introduce a new concept. Instead, make this a day of review.
Be sure to thoroughly review concepts your students were working on, or mastered before winter break, before proceeding with any new material. Make it fun – play games or provide hands-on activities.
No matter what you’re reviewing, avoid worksheets and provide hands-on practice. You can click on any of these grade levels for some suggested activities (3rd, 4th, 5th) – that are easy to prep and won’t have your students completing worksheets all day.
#4 Give them time to tell their stories on the first day back after winter break.
More than likely your students will come back to school bursting at the seams to share their experiences from winter break.
Plan activities that will let them tell their stories in different ways. Start with one quick highlight per student during your morning meeting. Give them five minutes to share at their table groups.
Or try this whole group activity: play music while the students mingle around the classroom. When the music stops, students high-five the person closest to them to find a partner and swap stories. Repeat a few times so that kids get to talk to several classmates.
Finally, turn share time into a writing activity! Give students writing/drawing time to put their stories on paper. If time allows, have students share with the class or their tablemates.
#5 Plan student-led, open-ended activities.
Don’t expect your students to come right in and get to work on the first day back after winter break. Instead, have a blank paper on the table so they can draw. Or pull the math manipulatives out and let them explore.
Avoid planning activities that require your students to sit still and listen for long periods. Ease students back into the learning routine by incorporating movement and choice into your planning.
Set up stations for students to rotate through. Let them choose between options such as choice writing/drawing, sensory bins, hands-on math activities, choice reading, and free play.
If you normally have a small group at your table during centers, consider skipping that for a day or two. Instead, spend your time circulating just like you did during the first few days of centers at the beginning of the year.
#6 Be on the lookout.
Undoubtedly, some of your students will have a harder time than others on the first day back after winter break. After spending a couple of weeks at home, a little sadness is only natural.
Keep it positive and offer your students lots of smiles and hugs. Let them know how excited you are to have them back, and give them a preview of all the exciting new things they’re going to learn this semester.
Have your students write letters and draw pictures about their first day back to school after winter break to take home to share with their families.
Not sure what to do before students go on winter break especially if they don’t celebrate the holidays? Click here to read the blog post all about that!