It's almost time for the holidays! The last few weeks until winter break! What types of things do you look for to teach your students or to supplement your lessons?!

I am always looking for things that are FUN! Students don't often get a break and this time of year it's very hard for students to focus, hence the introduction of engaging holiday content. Let's look at some things I have found that will be sure to have success in your classroom. Whether you are supplementing a lesson, looking for station materials, partner work, or whole class activity, I will address ALL of those needs!

I love activities that are centered around independent or partner work. I can ALWAYS change it to a whole group lesson if needed, but I would rather students be able to work on their own, in pairs, or small groups while I am conferencing and meeting with students one-on-one during work time. 

Math Mysteries are ALWAYS easy and fun! 

Check out all of the Holiday Math Mysteries HERE! 

These are Digital Narrated versions. What I love about these is that they use reading comprehension at the same time that students are using their problem-solving skills. There are paper/pencil versions available as well. 

(P.S. AND they are full of  holiday FUN!)

Escape Rooms are the next must-have for FUN and independent learning OR you choose how you use them! I have a NEW Escape Room below that is Stan the Snowman: Lost in the Snowstorm! This is a great 'Just for Fun' activity for that last day right before winter break. I am going to use it as part of the party!

Students also love the Holidays Around the World Escape Room. Students love to learn about the different counties and their traditions, while also solving the clues. Another great comprehension piece to enhance a unit study on traditions or a stand-alone lesson of learning. 

Check out this preview of the Holidays Around the World Escape Room Below!

During that last week before break, I am always looking for activities to keep students engaged. I like to do stations that students rotate through. Here are some station ideas for you!

Station #3: Creative Writing Station (Write a persuasive letter for a gift to receive, a persuasive piece getting an extra day off of school, descriptive writing of a gift they received, a thank-you letter to someone, winter haikus, or other poetry)

Only 2.5 weeks until Thanksgiving! How is that possible?! I wanted to focus this week on changing up those Literacy Stations or Word Work. I know I need to freshen up things, especially during the holidays to keep kids engaged while I am conferencing with students. I NEED students to be able to do activities independently or work with a partner without a million questions.

 I have pulled together some EASY and ENGAGING ideas that can be done now to work into your stations as an independent, partner, or whole group activity. 

Use the ABC to the 2nd letter as a motivational tool that if they get done they can level up and do the Holiday ABC Order to the 3rd letter! Or have students make a list of holiday words (keep it small to around 10) and then put them in order or have the class collaborate on a list for that week leading up to the holidays! An easy change up and it gets the students involved. 

Kids LOVE these spinners! You can add a few books for them to look at when they get finished or use them as a whole class read-aloud prior to this station if you haven't taught it at all. 

See below for some suggestions.

I have used alliterations to make a whole class book. Each student does their own sentence and then illustrates it. I then bind using the comb binder at school or you can easily put them in a cheap 3 ring binder (use a protective sleeve if you want them to last longer). 

Read about how to use the spinners on my blog All About Alliteration Spinners. 

See a preview of them below!

Check out my NEW Bubblebead activity for Thanksgiving! 

The kids love creating these and they can easily be used as a writing activity once complete. 

They can use their Food Character as inspiration for writing! 

Check out this video to see more!

    

Have fun doing a REFRESH on your Work Stations or store ideas for LATER!

I would love to see what you come up with. 

TTFN!