Keeping Students Engaged Before Break

If you’ve heard people say, “December is such a short month in the classroom,” then you know they are not teachers. While the month may be shorter than the rest, it doesn’t require less planning. Honestly, it often requires more meticulous planning because it is hard to keep students engaged! They are so excited for an extended break and Christmas that their energy overflows into the classroom. So, it is crucial to plan activities that support keeping students engaged before the break. Otherwise, the classroom will become very chaotic very quickly! Between the STEM challenges, Readers Theater, and The Christmas Challenge, students will have no problem focusing on their learning! 

The Crazy Weeks Before Break 

These are exhausting weeks! It can be so hard to keep students engaged and learning as they eagerly count down the days until break. Thankfully, this list includes some amazing ways to keep the classroom a calm, productive environment. 

Holiday Themed STEM Challenges

STEM challenges are the perfect way to keep students active! 

• Build a Snowman: Using materials like marshmallows, toothpicks, or plastic cups, have students create a snowman. Students can then walk around and look at all of the creations. 
• Create Snow Globes: Use simple materials to create snow globes and discuss the water cycle. Students can even pretend they got stuck in a snow globe by placing their picture inside. They can also make a short writing about what they would do if they could spend one day in a snow globe! 

Christmas Around the World

• Explore Global Traditions: The class can research Christmas celebrations in different countries. If students work in small groups, they can create a poster or a mini presentation to share what they learned about each culture.

Math and Reading Fun

• Christmas Bingo: Play a math-based bingo game where the answers to the problems reveal holiday images or concepts.
• ‘Twas the Day Before Christmas Break Readers Theater: This is the perfect way for students to perform for other classrooms or parents! It is a humorous script that allows the teacher to edit the lines to include students’ names. Teachers can even add in the school district. Students will have so much fun performing! Plus, teachers will have no problem with keeping students engaged before the break.
• Candy Cane Math: Use candy canes as manipulatives to help children with simple addition, subtraction, and pattern recognition.
• Math Through Gift Wrapping: Have students measure, cut, and wrap presents (real or cardboard) to practice their skills in measurement, fractions, and estimation.
• The Christmas Challenge: Students will love competing in small groups to solve these 10 academic challenges! After each challenge, the class will open a Challenge Ticket and solve for the code word. The first team to solve all 10 code words is the winner! This fantastic resource has everything you need for an unforgettable activity. 

Science Experiments

• Homemade Snow: Students can learn all about the water cycle while making snow. Teachers can use baking soda and conditioner or make “snow” with cornstarch and water.

Community Service Projects

• Holiday Cards for Nursing Homes: Have students create cards to distribute to local nursing homes. This is an amazing way for students to learn about community involvement.

While it is tough to find activities that focus on keeping students engaged before the break, this list will help! These activities bring the festive spirit into the classroom, encouraging learning and creativity. The days before Christmas break will be both fun and educational!

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