Quick Tips - Post-Holiday Classroom Management

After winter break and the fun of the holidays, students are both excited and hesitant about returning to school. While they're certain to be enthusiastic about reconnecting with their friends and swapping stories about the things they did on break, they're sure to have some reservations as well. Will my friends still want to sit with me at lunch? Will I remember where to put my backpack in the morning? Will my teacher remember my name?

In many ways, returning to the classroom in January is like stepping foot into the classroom at the beginning of the school year. You cannot simply assume that you students will easily slide back into daily routines.

Just as you spent time in August modeling/practicing classroom procedures, examining classroom rules, and exploring behavioral expectations, the first day back provides a perfect opportunity for reestablishing these classroom routines. Of course, as you review and re-model, you'll have a blast if you capitalize on your students' enthusiasm and try to make the process meaningful...

• Work together with the other grade level teachers. Assign each teacher a routine/procedure to review - i.e. lunch room know-how and etiquette, bathroom behavior, playground rules and procedures, etc. - and rotate your classes throughout the day. As your students move from classroom to classroom {and take trips to the locations to review procedures}, they'll get to see fresh faces for each 'session' and have a chance to get out of their seats. Definitely a fun, non-boring way to review classroom routines! [Of course, reviewing those procedures and routines specific to your classroom - i.e. where to turn in homework, the behavior code of conduct, etc. - will have to be done by you and in your classroom space. It simply can't be helped!]
• Make it a party! Celebrate having your students back in the classroom and together again. Play games to help your kiddos review classroom routines/procedures - i.e. a scavenger hunt to re-discover important classroom 'landmarks', etc.

Once you've taken time to revisit and reestablish classroom routines, another great tip to remember when attempting to get your students back into the swing of things after the break is to select activities that incorporate your students' favorite things {working in groups, moving around the classroom, etc.} or topics that you know will be on your students' minds. Graph your students' favorite activity done over the break - open presents, eat sweets, sled ride, etc. Have your students create a list of adjectives that describes their favorite gift.

After a fun and busy holiday break it can be challenging to get back into daily routines. However, with a little review, re-modeling, and purposeful lesson planning, we're certain you and your students will successfully 're-acclimate' to the learning environment!