I don’t know if it’s the weather or all that we fill the month of December with, I just know that teachers everywhere are {barely} hanging in there till Winter break! {Tell me I’m not alone!}
I’m sharing 6 ideas to keep kids engaged {you sane!} in the craziness that is a classroom in December!
Make Snowflakes
Would you believe that I had never made a paper snowflake until I became a teacher? I know – crazy!
We were stuck inside for a rainy day recess earlier this week and I pulled out the coffee filters and markers to make some beautiful snowflakes. BONUS: I now have fun decor for the months of December and January!
You can check out the easy instructions from One Little Project.
If you want to make it more learning focused, try out the pattern block snowflake activity! It’s always a student favorite.
PS- Check out all the Printable Pattern Block Pictures & Templates here!
Don’t have the time or energy to make snowflakes? Check out the Online Snowflake Maker. It’s a mess-free way to teach kids how to make beautiful images!
Snowman Slime
This one is a bit messy but wouldn’t your students just love making this snowman slime?! Head over to see Ashley’s blog to see this fun activity!
Related Reading: Inclusive Classroom Winter Party Ideas & Activities
B.A.T. Books
Now that my kids are in the full groove of school work and the routine, I have a wide arrange of who can finish what in the amount of time I’ve given them. A few years ago I started using the B.A.T. Books to solve this problem.
As students finish up their work, they pull out their B.A.T. Books. I created the activities to be a bit challenging, but still doable for a student to do on their own. The December B.A.T. Book is filled with holiday activities that cover Math and Language Arts.
You can find the B.A.T. Books in The Lucky Shop.
I also plan to send home the Winter Break. B.A.T. Book to keep kiddos using those brains during the break 🙂
You can find The Winter Break B.A.T. Books in The Lucky Shop.
You could also send your students home with Holiday Homework. This FREEBIE is filled with tons of ideas for families to do together over the break.
Find it in The Lucky Store.
Snap Cubes and Pattern Blocks
My favorite thing about using these Snap Cube and Pattern Block Mats and Mini Books is that the kids have no idea they are learning!
To turn these puzzles into a math activity, I print the mini-book for students to fill in after they complete the picture. For the Snap Cube pictures the students work on 1 more, 1 less, 10 more and 10 less. For the Pattern Block pictures, the students focus on counting the number used.
I love that I can keep the Winter Snap Cube and Pattern Block Mats out even during January {because let’s be honest – we’re too tired to think ahead on planning!}
Find the Pattern Block Mats and Mini Books on in The Lucky Store.
Find the Snap Cube Mats and Mini Books in The Lucky Store.
Crystal Snowflakes
DIY Crystal Snowflakes would be such a fun activity before the break. You could even turn these into a gift for families!
Christmas Word Search
Everyone loves a word search! Grab this Christmas Word Search FREEBIE!
PS- You can also check out the December Morning Work here!
What are your favorite ways to keep kiddos focused in the month of December?