After the wrath of “back from break” Thanksgiving break, I can only imagine how much my students will “forget” after winter break.

Hence, this blog post! I’ll be discussing ideas to help save your sanity on those first few days back because MLK day is four. entire. weeks. away.

No worries, this advice isn’t coming from me…

Cue my sanity, a saint, soul sister, blonde Mary Poppins, it’s Erica my teaching mentor!

Erica is a seven year teacher, two years in Saint Louis City and five at Gateway Science Academy. Not only is she my mentor, she’s also on my teaching team, very convenient!

Shortly after realizing that my students were struggling to get back on track, I reached out to Erica seeking advice for after winter break tips to help students regain temporary memory loss.

Here’s what she had to say.

Tip #1

“I started this a few years ago, and it helps cut down on some of the back to school excitement, have your morning work be a special holiday themed weekend news. Give your students the opportunity to share what they did over break in partnerships or with the whole class.”

-Erica

Linked above is the freebie I’ll be using. My plan is to incentivize it- if students finish their Winter Break News, they can use part their writing time to share the news on Seesaw.

Tip #2

“Rethink some of your routines that you have sent in place, if you want to do anything differently, now is the time to make those changes! If you want to set up your room differently, change procedures, and desk rearrangement- it’s a good time for a refresh!”

-Erica

Desk rearrangement was already on my to-do list, however modifying routines and procedures, I hadn’t thought of. I’m now thinking of changing up my Daily 5 routine. Feel free to comment how you manage this time below!

Tip #3

“Review routines and procedures with your students and don’t forget to introduce new ones! Rather than go all out like the first day of school I usually just ask students questions about expectations BEFORE we do something. For example, before walking in the hall we discuss the expectation. You can also hang up any charts you created on the first few weeks of school and reflect back to that!”

-Erica

Tip #4

“Not really a tip, just to let you know, on the first day most of your students will be tired, some might be sad, and some will be hyper! It’s a bag of mixed emotions. I like to use the first day to read LOT. We always continue with the curriculum, but I make sure to break up the day with many good stories!”

-Erica

I’m sure I’ll be able to relate!

Tip #5

“Right after the New Year is the perfect time to set new learning goals for each student! I usually incorporate this with a writing activity and a craft and it’s the first thing on my bulletin board.”

-Erica

Here are a few ideas…

Hopefully Erica’s tips have given you some direction for back to school after winter break. They certainly did for me! I know that I’ll be using these tips and I’m very excited to give my room a refresh!

Please comment below if you have any additional advice, I’d love to hear from you!

Next week I’ll be sharing about something that MANY of my co-workers ask me about- Bulletin boards, AKA my pride and joy!