It’s that time of year again – time to balance motivation and classroom engagement without starting new projects or units. It’s easy to understand how the students feel before winter break because teachers feel it, too. Everyone is ready for some time away, but no one wants to pause learning.
Ready, set, engage! Preparing for energized pre-break periods
Breaks are also an essential part of the school year. Prioritizing student engagement in class before breaks is just as important. Even though teachers try to present only a little new material right before a break, the content still keeps coming. When students are disengaged, they could miss important lesson themes, impacting their performance on tests and assignments.
Look for activities that help students stay focused when their minds wander to upcoming break plans. Introducing new materials or trying new products or materials can spark curiosity, but plan to reintroduce them after the break when establishing the routine again.
How can you ensure students are engaged?
Kids will be kids, right? Some will find ways to look engaged without actually being engaged, especially in those days before winter break. So, how can teachers be sure that students are genuinely engaged? When students feel connected and know the expectations, a little extra feedback may be all it takes.
However, using proximity and optimizing seating options are always good ideas. Students love participating in the process, so offer collaboration and choice whenever possible. Educators using technology can use tools that allow teachers to view screens and set parameters while students are online.
Engaging students with exciting classroom games
With careful lesson planning, the break will be the bookend for larger projects and units of study. However, every educator knows that a few more fun and educational ideas are necessary because knowing exactly how long it will take students to complete work is impossible. For those moments before break, take a look at these classroom engagement strategies.
- Ask students to reflect on their learning so far—their favorite activity, biggest struggle, and proudest moment. Then, provide the opportunity for students to set goals for the remainder of the school year.
- Download the ExploreLearning Character Coloring Book for many uses. Students can color the characters to decorate the classroom door, write and share stories about them, or use them as part of a bulletin board design.
- Reflex teachers can now host Reflex Competitions among different classrooms in the same school building.
- Design and decorate a standstill gingerbread house that gives a nod to a STEM event or topic to enter the ExploreLearning Gingerneering Challenge.
- Host a Virtual Career Day and let your students explore STEM possibilities for the future.
- Review content and skills through student-designed games. They can make board games or use technology resources to make them.
Ensuring engagement for all
Teachers work hard before school breaks and every other day to create an accessible classroom to meet the needs of every student. Technology offers resources designed with accessibility and inclusion in mind. With proven edtech products, every student can access and engage with learning experiences that are user-friendly for all students. They’ll also be able to understand how to identify and implement different accessibility features to make learning experiences user-friendly for all students.
Providing acceleration for advanced learners
The time before break is perfect for independent projects or activities for students who want more. Assign tasks that are challenging but achievable with topics that are relevant and interesting to make them excited to keep learning. ExploreLearning Gizmos are designed to accelerate science learning by allowing students to tap into their own powers of inquiry, experimentation, and understanding as they explore science content.
Fostering classroom community in the days before break
Don’t forget the importance of a positive classroom environment. While some students are excited about the time at home, others dread it. School is their safe place, and teachers are people they can count on. Make the effort to simply spend time together. Have lunch in the classroom. Play a game just for fun. Write them notes so they know you’ll miss them over the break, too.
If you find yourself in the mood for lesson planning during your break, consider investigating the possibilities of adding ExploreLearning programs to your classroom. Read the research and have a free trial ready to start when you return.
