If the first day back from winter break makes you want to hide under the covers, you’re not alone! With a new year comes a whole new set of first day jitters for teachers and for kids! To help everyone ease back into the classroom, I’ve got a familiar activity that has a new year twist!
As teachers, we worry that our students forgot about all the work we did to learn classroom rules and routines. We need a positive way to review our expectations and classroom routines. By adding movement, you can keep everyone engaged and excited to participate!
My first graders didn’t always comprehend New Year resolutions, but they understand the idea of promises. For this New Year Promises activity, I repurposed one of our beginning of the year movement games.
I grabbed my behavior cards from my Classroom Promises movement activity and printed two new posters for “New Year PROMISES” and “Last Year PROBLEMS.” Now we are ready to play!
To get moving, hang one poster on each side of your classroom. Read a behavior card and have students walk to the correct sign. For example, if you pull out the “work quietly” card, everyone should walk to New Year PROMISES.
If you pull out the “tap on the teacher” card, everyone should walk to “Last Year PROBLEMS.” You can also talk about those behaviors. It might sound like this, “Do you remember at the beginning of the year when some of you got out of your seat and tapped on me? Now it’s a new year, and we all know we raise our hand when we need something.”
I also made pocket headers so you can keep your sorted cards on a pocket chart or create a quick classroom anchor chart!
When you’re done playing the movement game or sorting the cards on a pocket chart, your kids can write about their New Year Promises. They can use the behavior cards for ideas or come up with their own resolutions. There is even a craft to go along with the writing so you have an instant bulletin board display on the first day back from winter break!
Let me help you with your plans for the first day back from winter break by sharing these activities with you! Just add your email below and the posters, writing prompts, and craft will come straight to your inbox!
You can create your own behavior cards or download the cards included in the Classroom Promises activity. Remember you can use the cards year after year so you probably want to laminate them or print them on cardstock.
Even though the first day back from winter break is tough, your kids will be SO HAPPY to see you! I hope these ideas give you some inspiration for a day full of movement and learning! Cheers to starting a new year with great behavior and positive promises!
PS If you’ve got a class of movers and shakers, keep them engaged all winter with the Classroom Move Maker!
I’m a teacher who believes in creating a classroom kids love and activities that keep them engaged all day!
©2019 Polka Dots Please. All Rights Reserved. Designed by Ashley Hughes.
12 Responses
Such a cute and fun idea!
They have so much energy that first day back, I cant wait to try this out!
Thank you Sandee! I hope you have a great first day back!
Happy Teaching!
Emily
I have not received my file and it has been several hours since I requested it.
Hi Jessica,
Check your inbox again. I just sent you a new email. Thanks for your patience!
Happy Teaching!
Emily
I can’t wait to try this cute New Year promise craft!
Thank you so much Christina! I hope your kids love it!
Happy Teaching!
Emily
What a great idea! Thank you for sharing it!
Thank you! I hope you have a great first day back Julie!
Happy Teaching!
Emily
Will the new years promise and last year’s problems be included in the email?
Hi Laura,
Yes it will be included in your first email when you click the blue “confirm my subscription” button.
Happy Teaching!
Emily
When i click confirm my email it says my admin has blocked your site. Anyway you can personally email it to me?
Hi Jess,
Please email me at [email protected] and I can get it fixed up for you!
Happy Teaching!
Emily