Why does it seem like you
finally get into the swing of things and then BAM a break happens? It doesn’t fail. How do you get those students back on track
after a long break, like winter break?
This can be challenging because your students probably slept in, ate
whenever and whatever they wanted, went to their friend’s house often, and stayed up later than usual – less
structure definitely!!!!
Getting your students to
focus again after break doesn’t have to be a struggle.It will just take some easing back in to a
typical school day. Here are 6 tips to
help your students, and let’s face it, you, transition smoothly back into your typical
day.
Open-Ended Activities
academics for many days now. It is
important that you gradually pull them into the academic school day, but at the
same time letting students know that they are expected to be in “school mode.” From the moment my students walk into the
room, I want them to continue expectations that I set for them at the beginning
of the year.
way for students to get out everything they are dying to tell you about break,
but in a structured, fun activity.
Students are always given the opportunity to
share their papers with the class or I let them know I will read and comment on
all of them.
Review Academic Content
before break. I’m guessing that students
probably didn’t remember everything. Plus, it gives students immediate positive feelings of academic success
on the first day back.
unconventional, hands-on, and/or fun. This
could be anything from open-ended writing prompts, to coloring activities, to cut
and paste activities.
3-digit addition with regrouping. We
spent a few months building up to regrouping and after break we are hoping to
jump into subtraction with regrouping. However, I want to make sure my students still remember addition from before break. I will probably have my students do a color by code that’s full of practice but fun because it’s not basic paper/pencil or
maybe my QR code task cards to utilize technology.
Review Routines and Expectations
need some refreshing.
over the winter break and they may want to try to extend those into your
classroom. It’s different from the
beginning of the year when nerves were keeping students in check. Now, they KNOW you.
consequences, and procedures as early as possible. This way, there is no excuse
for negative behavior. Students need a little reminder that they are back and school and should act accordingly.
should come at the time that they are happening – snack time procedures before
snack time, restroom procedures before restroom breaks, cafeteria procedures
before lunch, etc. You get the idea: back
to school 2.0.
Get back to routine
In order to review those procedures for
routines, you need to get back to your routine.
This isn’t the time to try stations if you have never done them before
(even though I wouldn’t recommend them on the first day back even if you
have)! Students crave structure and they
will be glad to see the same routine in place as when they left.
They will be tired
I recommend no new content for the first day
back. I would suggest using this time
to review, review, review. Why? Well, they will be tired. Getting back to “school mode” will not be
easy after two weeks of vacation.
the time to do SHORT bursts of activities.
Students will not have the attention they had before vacation; they will
need to work up to that again. 5-10 minute lessons are ideal. Lessons with movements are ideal. Open-ended activities are ideal. These are nothing new to teaching, just be
mindful of using more of it on the first few days back.
Change up Groups
The one change that I would recommend is
changing up any groups that you have in the classroom, whether they be academic
or simply seating arrangements.
Sometimes not having those common relationships upon return will help
students focus more and get back on track easier.
