Brace yourself for this reality check: the teaching grind is real, and according to RAND Corporation, on average, we’re putting in a solid 53 hours a week—53! If that number just gave you a shiver down your teacher-tired spine, you’re not alone. I confess, I’ve been that teacher sneaking into the classroom during winter break, armed with a determination to conquer the chaos. But here’s the game-changer—I’ve learned the ropes, figured out the tasks that matter, and now I enjoy a winter break that’s genuinely relaxing. Stick around, and let me share 5 must do teacher tasks before winter break. It’s time to bid that 53-hour hustle goodbye and reclaim your winter break!
5 Teacher Tasks Before Winter Break
1. Paper Purge and File
Ever feel like your classroom is playing host to the leaning tower of papers? If so, now is the perfect time to go through them. You don’t have to feel pressured to tackle those stacks all done in one day. Set a timer for a doable 10-15 minutes and dive into the chaos. Round up those unneeded copies and give them a toss. As the clock ticks, sort out the keepers into mini piles for filing. When the timer’s near its end, swoop in and file those piles away. Consider this your classroom decluttering therapy. And guess what? If this strategy clicks with you, make it a weekly post-break tradition. Say goodbye to the leaning tower and hello relaxing winter break!
2. Clean Sweep
Up next on the teacher tasks before winter break: it’s time for a good old-fashioned clean-a-thon! The best news? Your trusty sidekicks, aka your students, can lend a hand in this mission. Designate a day for students to go through and declutter their desks. Now, here’s an idea —while they tidy up their personal spaces, why not give your own desk a makeover too? After all, teamwork makes the dream work. Next, put kids in groups and dish out tasks like organizing the classroom library, wiping down surfaces (think student-friendly items like baby wipes), and straightening up those cubbies. Let the clean-a-thon begin!
3. Finalize Grades
The last thing you need during your well-deserved break is to lug home a stack of papers for checking and grading. Ideally, report cards are in the bag before the break kicks in, so hopefully, you’ve got the checking part sorted. It’s time to buckle down and key in those grades, wrap up those report card comments, and log those student assessments. If there are any stray items that managed to slip through the cracks, now’s the moment to catch them. Let’s be real, most papers that go home in that teacher bag never see the light of day once we are home. Let’s keep the break, well, a break!
4. Plan It Out
As you sketch out your lessons for the post-break return, here’s the golden rule: keep it simple. Odds are, your students will be sporting a bit of post-holiday fatigue, and you’ll find yourself having to review the routines and procedures of the classroom. Factor in some cushion time in your plans to gracefully reintroduce the curriculum and activities. Give your students the chance to reconnect with each other like in this winter glyph activity or winter activities graph. Trust me, it’s a win-win—the kids stay happy, and you avoid the stress of battling tired kiddos who aren’t quite geared up for full-force mode. Easy does it!
5. Prep Rally
Now that your January lesson plans are all set, it’s game time for the prep rally! Make copies and get everything you’ll need ready to roll. For example, if journal writing is on the agenda, get those January journals made now. And if centers are looming, prep those materials too. Your future self will thank you and you can rest easy over the break with the knowledge that you’re all set to hit the ground running come January.
4 Bonus Teacher Tasks Before Winter Break
–Change calendar: Set up your January calendar now.
–Set out your January read alouds: Put away your December books and set out your January read alouds. This will help you be all set once you return from break.
–Email Settings: Set up your vacation setting on your email. This is very helpful in setting the boundary to parents, colleagues, and admin that you will not be responding to emails until after the break. Try your best to only check your work email minimally over the holiday break.
–Unplug/ Shutdown: Before you leave, be sure to shut down your computer and unplug anything unnecessary before leaving your classroom.
And there you have it, teacher friends—your cheat sheet to conquering the winter break chaos like a pro. You can eliminate those towering stacks, have a classroom clean-a-thon, and get those grades finalized. As you bask in the promise of a well-earned break, remember, these tasks aren’t just about tidying up your classroom; they’re about reclaiming your sanity. So, whether you’re sipping cocoa or diving into a cozy read, let the winter break be your haven of relaxation. You’ve earned it. Cheers to a stress-free break and a classroom that’s ready to rock in the new year!
Looking for some engaging activities to do with your first graders after winter break? Check out these resources:
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