Low-Cost January Teaching Resources

Today I want to share some of my favorite ways to kick off the new year with low-cost resources that are not only engaging but fun. 

1. Reading Comprehension

I LOVE teaching the history behind the holidays. A few years ago, I created this resource for New Year's. It goes through some of the traditions that we celebrate at New Year's. It covers traditions such as the first and last countries to celebrate New Year's each year. Students learn about the ball drop tradition in Times Square. they learn about the song Auld Lang Syne, and many more traditions. This resource is packed full of 7 reading passages with comprehension sheets and several extension activities as well, including creating a time capsule. If you love history as much as I do, then you should definitely check this one out.  Find it here.

2. Paired Reading

I love paired reading books for not just reading comprehension strategies, but also for the opportunity to dig into a compare and contrast between two stories that have a common theme. In this case, the theme is music. These two books are a wonderful way to help students learn about the classics and composers too. 

One of the important reading skills we work on with these books is cause and effect and a goal setting activity for the new year. 

There are 12 full lesson plans that can last you for over two weeks! Even if you do not own these books you can get them at the library or even on YouTube! Check out this resource over here.

3. Teambuilding

After a long break, it is great to focus on teambuilding again. One way I like to do this is through an art challenge. Students are placed in teams and given art challenges to complete. They have a certain amount of time to work on each challenge, and just like in the cooking show, Chopped, students get a bag of supplies to work from...each group gets the same supplies. After the time is up, students present their art to the entire class and receive points. After three rounds (which I suggest doing on different days), one team is announced as the winner and receives a certificate. 

This one is found over here.

Hopefully, you found something helpful here. Happy New Year! I hope the rest of the school year goes well for you. 

Five Things to do to Ease Back to School after New Years

I am not the kind of teacher to rush back and hit the books and new learning right away after Christmas break. I love to spend the first day back as a review day...some might call it a slow start. Here's a look at what I am planning to do my first day back. 

1. Start with time for talking. 

I think this one is very important. Students have been away from the classroom for two full weeks. They are excited. They are tired. Some don't want to be there. Let's face it, they need a few minutes to share and talk about their break, and hear about the breaks of others. I will be using a Rolling into the New Year activity to help with this. Students have a few minutes to talk with friends in a structured way. Using this is super easy. Students take turns rolling the die and then talking about the question they rolled. You can see it in the picture below. You can find this activity over here.  This resource is updated for each year, including this year. 

2. Review Rules and Procedures

Students need to be reminded of the rules. Anytime you are out for more than a weekend, it is a good idea to review. This could be done in fun ways like making it into a game or a fun and interactive quiz. 

I am going to use a true or false quiz that is fun and a bit ridiculous. For instance, I choose really outlandish things like: 

True or false, when entering the classroom late, you should pretend to be on the red carpet, walking with style and doing a few spins on the way to your seat. 

Students will smile, laugh and also remember what they are really suppose to do, because I will also have the real rules and procedures throw in such as: True or false, when entering the classroom late, you should come in quietly, close the door behind you, put your things at your desk and join whatever activity we are doing. 

You get the point. I would do this with every rule and then go over it together when everyone has finished.

3. Math Review

Instead of jumping in to a new concept in math, we are going to do a math review called Unlock the New Year. This review is by Cooties and Cuties and it is a quick countdown activity where students do a few review skills for each number on the board and then move toward the number 1 where they will get a few Hershey's kisses as a celebration for completing the challenge. 

4. Starbooks Cafe

Starbooks Cafe is a fun and relaxing way to get back into the swing of reading while reviewing several reading skills in a reading marathon. Students will get to sip a sweet hot chocolate while reading and responding to a book of their choice. 

I found this activity years ago online, but I do not remember where it came from. But you can see how I set this up over here.

5. Staff Appreciation Writing

I am adding in this new activity from hello_fifth on TPT. Students will choose one staff member and will write about why they are grateful for that staff member. It will give them a chance to work on their writing skills, but with a smaller task instead of diving right in to writing essays. It will also put a smile on the staff member's face when we give them out to each of them. 

As a bonus, this week, I have a part two of low cost New Year activities, so be sure to check it out as well.