WARM-UP
WRITING PROMPT - Start the day with a winter-themed writing prompt. Since students love choice (especially when writing), these writing prompts are always a hit! (Grab them for FREE here.)
--- Select a This or That Writing Warm-Up to share with students.
--- Give students a chance to complete the "THIS" or the "THAT" winter-themed writing prompt.
--- Students may want to share their responses with their peers.
READING
READ A MYTH - Get students engaged in reading with the myth, "How the Arctic Hare Got Short Ears." Use the myth as a springboard for discussion about the characteristics of myths and literature. (Download the myth here.)
--- Explain to students that myths deal with basic questions about the universe. Myths attempt to explain how things come to be.
--- Have students read the myth “How the Arctic Hare Got Short Ears” or any other myth.
--- Discuss the plot, characters, setting, and theme in the myth.
WRITING
WRITE A WINTER MYTH - Explain to students that they will be writing myths. Their myths will attempt to explain a characteristic/trait of a winter animal like how the reindeer got its antlers. The good news is that they will have a little help determining the story elements. They will have spinners to help provide a framework for their writing. (Download the winter myth writing materials here.)
--- Hand out the materials for students to write their own myth about a winter animal.
--- Guide students through the pre-writing charts as they develop topics, characters, setting, and plot.
--- Allow students to turn their planning into an original winter myth.
--- Give students a chance to share their writing with peers.
GAME
PLAY WINTER PICTIONARY - Let students play a game to celebrate the winter season. Pictionary is quick and interactive. It's always a hit in the classroom.
--- Divide students into teams.
--- Give one member of each team a word to draw while their teammates guess.
--- Grab winter-themed ideas for students to draw here.
LISTENING
LISTEN TO WINTER POEMS - Give students a chance to practice their listening skills as you read winter poems out loud to students. Find some of my favorite winter poems here.
--- Read winter-themed poems out loud to students. (You might read them each more than once.)
--- Encourage students to share memorable lines or images from each poem.
--- You might let students doodle winter scenes while they listen.
REFLECTING
YEAR-END INFOGRAPHIC - Give students a chance to reflect on the calendar year as the end of the year approaches. Students will complete a brainstorm before making an infographic about their year. Find the FREE resources for this activity here.
--- Pass out the End-of-year reflection worksheet.
--- Lead students through the reflection elements.
--- Guide students as they complete their infographic.
--- Give students a chance to share.
GIFTS
HOLIDAY GIFT - Celebrate the winter season with gifts for students.
--- Write an individualized note to students. (Grab a set of free positive notes here.)
--- Give students a motivational quote to add to their planners, desks, or lockers.
--- Hand out free homework passes.
--- Share a sweet treat with students.
--- Find more ideas here.
MORE TIME?
Need more ideas for the day before winter break? No problem!
--- Winter Fact Hunt and Kindness Note
--- Analyze a winter poem
--- Complete winter learning stations