As a substitute teacher, stepping into a classroom can be a rewarding experience, but during the holiday season, it can also bring unique challenges. The days leading up to Thanksgiving, winter break, and other festivities are filled with excitement, and that upbeat energy can make it difficult to keep students focused on learning. However, with the right strategies, you can create a fun, engaging classroom atmosphere that channels their holiday cheer into productive learning experiences. Here’s a guide to help you keep kids engaged through the holidays and make a lasting impression.
Acknowledge the Holidays While Setting Boundaries
The holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year for many students, and ignoring it altogether may make it harder for them to focus. Instead, acknowledge the excitement by incorporating seasonal themes into your lessons where possible, but establish clear guidelines for when it’s time to get back to work. For instance, if you’re teaching younger students, you might have a “5-Minute Holiday Chat” at the start of class where they can share what they’re looking forward to, and then transition into a structured activity. This way, you’re giving students space to talk about the holidays while also maintaining control of the classroom.
Plan Interactive, Seasonal Activities
Students are more likely to stay focused if they’re participating in engaging activities rather than traditional lectures. Here are a few holiday-themed activities that promote learning and keep them interested:
Holiday-Themed Story Writing
If you’re covering English or creative writing, encourage students to create their own holiday stories, whether they’re about Thanksgiving, winter celebrations, or a completely unique tradition they’d like to see. Allowing students to share their stories afterward gives them a chance to be creative and practice their presentation skills.
Math “Shopping” Challenges
For math, set up a mock shopping activity where students use play money to purchase holiday items. Give them a budget, and have them calculate what they can afford, adding or subtracting items to stay within their budget. This activity is both practical and fun, and it helps students see real-world applications for their math skills.
Geography “Around the World”
During the holidays, many people travel, making this a great time to incorporate geography into the classroom. Create a lesson where students “visit” different countries and learn about unique holiday traditions, weather, and geography. This can be as simple as a PowerPoint presentation with visuals or as complex as a full class discussion on international celebrations.
Be Prepared for Unique Seasonal Challenges
The fall and winter season can be challenging for some students, especially those who may not celebrate certain holidays or those who experience stress due to the season. As a substitute teacher, it’s essential to be sensitive to the diverse backgrounds of your students. Some may not celebrate traditional holidays, while others may have family situations that make the holidays difficult.
To prepare, consider having a few activities that aren’t holiday-themed, in case a student prefers not to participate in a seasonal activity. Always use neutral language, like “winter break” rather than “Christmas break,” and keep classroom discussions respectful and inclusive.
Use Brain Breaks and Physical Activities
Long periods of sitting and concentrating are particularly challenging for kids when they’re filled with holiday excitement. Short “brain breaks” and physical activities can help channel their energy and increase focus when it’s time to return to academic tasks. (Stay tuned for next month, when we will share an entire blog on Brain Breaks and how to use them strategically in your classroom!)
Themed Movement Breaks
For example, have a “snowball fight” (with paper snowballs) or play “reindeer games,” like charades, where students act out winter activities. These types of breaks allow kids to release energy and refocus on the next lesson.
Holiday Yoga or Stretching
If space allows, lead a short stretching or yoga session to keep kids calm and collected. A five-minute routine with stretches named after winter activities, like “snow angel” or “sleigh stretch,” can help students relax and reenergize.
Establish a “Holiday Countdown” Routine
One way to harness the anticipation of the holidays is to set up a simple countdown or ritual that marks each day closer to the break. Start class with a “fun fact of the day” related to winter, learning, or celebrations from around the world. This daily ritual can add excitement to the day while creating consistency, which helps with classroom management.
For example:
Daily Holiday Trivia
Share a fun fact related to different holiday traditions around the world, or a quick educational fact that ties in with the day’s lesson.
Daily Challenge
Each day, provide a short challenge related to the lesson. For instance, in a history class, you might challenge students to come up with one way people celebrated in past centuries.
Use Games to Keep Lessons Fun and Relevant
Games are an effective tool for keeping students engaged during any season, and they’re especially useful during the holiday months. Educational games not only reinforce what you’re teaching but also give students a fun way to practice skills.
Vocabulary Bingo
Create Bingo cards with vocabulary words from recent lessons. Students listen carefully to see if their words are called, which encourages listening and reinforces vocabulary.
Math Relay Races
For math classes, try creating a holiday-themed relay where students solve problems to move forward in a “race.” Each correct answer allows their team to move closer to a “finish line” drawn on the board.
Science Exploration Stations
Set up small stations with quick science activities or experiments. These can be holiday-themed, such as exploring snowflakes or examining the biology of winter animals, and they allow students to explore and learn in small, manageable bursts.
Offer Rewards and Incentives Wisely
Motivation can dip as the break approaches, so using small rewards and incentives can encourage participation and focus. To avoid classroom management issues, offer incentives based on behavior and participation rather than as competition between students.
Some reward ideas include:
Extra Recess
For younger students, an extra five minutes of recess can be a big incentive to stay focused.
Quiet Reading Time
For older students, ending the class with quiet reading or journaling time can serve as a reward. This allows them to unwind while keeping things calm in the classroom.
Class Choice
Give the class a small choice, like the ability to pick the next activity from a list or have input in a group decision. Letting them make choices, even small ones, can be an exciting change of pace.
Have a Backup Plan (Or Two!)
Even with the best planning, some holiday distractions are unavoidable. As a substitute, having backup activities ready is a must. Consider preparing a “Holiday Toolbox” of printable activities, educational games, and discussion prompts that you can quickly adapt to fill time if a lesson wraps up early.
Some backup ideas:
Crossword or Word Searches
Create holiday-themed or subject-related crossword puzzles that encourage vocabulary practice.
Art Station
Have a few art supplies ready for a quick drawing or coloring activity.
Reflective Journal
Invite students to write or draw about their favorite holiday memory or something they’re looking forward to over the break.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Season’s Spirit
The holidays are a joyful time, but they can be challenging in a classroom setting. As a substitute teacher, you have a unique opportunity to harness students’ energy and excitement, creating memorable learning experiences that keep them engaged through this festive time. From incorporating themed activities to setting boundaries, each of these strategies will help you balance holiday cheer with educational success, making the classroom a joyful, fun and productive environment for all.
So, get ready to celebrate with your students, keep them learning lively and enjoy the holiday season!
Teachers need breaks too! If you know someone interested in helping out one of our districts during the holiday season as a substitute, let’s get connected with them! It’s never too late to enjoy some time in the classroom connecting with the future of tomorrow!
Contact Morgan Hunter Education today!