Activities that Bring Joy into the Classroom during the Holiday Season

Middle School Café - Empowering Secondary ELA Teachers

It's just three weeks until winter break! These three weeks can be long and stressful, but don't worry, this week's episode is full of ideas you can use with your class. I'll share some easy, low prep ideas that will change up your routine just enough to entice our students to participate in the learning opportunities you present.

It can be tough to know how to celebrate holidays and traditions in the classroom in a way that is inclusive and fun for everyone.

Including students in the planning process is a great way to ensure everyone has a say in the traditions you present in class. This will help you choose activities that represent your students and the community you serve, making everyone feel comfortable and welcome.

Even if you can't plan a full holiday celebration, there are a number of ways to bring some fun to your lessons during the long weeks between Thanksgiving and Winter break.

I'll be sharing ideas on how you can get creative and think outside the box to reduce the stress of this time of year on both you and your students. Your classroom can be a festive and enjoyable place for all during the holiday season!

What you will learn:

• Celebrating holidays in the classroom in a way that honors both the students and the community we serve
• Involve students in the holidays they want to see represented
• Be inclusive of all cultures. It's okay to think beyond your community.
• If you can’t celebrate holidays, think seasonally
• 4 Activities you can introduce this year to engage students during this time of yer

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• How to Celebrate the Holidays in Secondary ELA - Blog post
• Holiday Traditions Resource
• Winter Visual Writing Prompts
• Holiday Visual Writing Prompts

Additional holiday resources you can use with your class:

• Creative Writing Holiday prompts
• Elf and the Shoemaker - short story unit
• A Kidnapped Santa Claus - short story uni

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