Let’s be real—coming back to teach after winter break is hard for both teachers and students. The excitement of the holidays has passed, and everyone needs a little help transitioning back into the classroom groove. What if I told you there’s one resource that can make your post-holiday reset smoother than ever? I’m talking about team-building activities that spark connection, re-norming strategies to set clear expectations, and an entire week of low-prep, engaging lessons—done for you. This resource has everything you need to set the tone for a successful rest of the year, all while keeping things stress-free and enjoyable for you and your students. Let’s dive in and explore how this tool can transform your return to the classroom after winter break!
Teaching After Winter Break
Teaching after winter break can feel like starting fresh, but not always in the easiest way. Students return full of energy and excitement but often out of their routines and needing reminders about classroom expectations. This resource is exactly what you need to set the tone for the rest of the year. With engaging team-building activities, re-norming strategies, and low-prep lessons, it helps you jump right into teaching without missing a beat. Instead of stressing about where to begin, you can focus on reconnecting with your students and guiding them toward a successful second half of the school year. That’s what teaching after winter break should feel like!
What’s Included in the Back From Break Kit
This kit has everything you need to hit the ground running after winter break—no lesson planning stress required! You’ll get five days of ready-to-use lesson plans that take the pressure off, so you can focus on reconnecting with your students. Kick off the week with team-building activities that are perfect for helping students collaborate, solve problems, and, most importantly, have fun. These are some of my students’ absolute favorites and are sure to bring energy and excitement to your classroom.
Next, tackle re-norming and setting expectations with ease. Use the included slides to reinforce all your expectations to keep everyone on track for a successful rest of the year. Each expectation is clearly stated, so students know exactly what’s expected during every block of learning. The kit is also jam-packed with low-prep, engaging activities designed to review key skills and help students ease back into academics in a fun and meaningful way. You’ll have your first entire week planned and ready to go—no stress, just smiles! These are just SOME of the 20 different resources included in this kit to help you be OVER prepared for teaching after winter break.
Another Tip for Teaching After Winter Break
When it comes to teaching after winter break, organization is your BEST FRIEND. I’ve created a simple tool to help you stay on top of things so they run smoothly and the transition back to school is seamless. Checklists help me make sure I am ticking off all my boxes to keep everything in order, as well as remind me of things still pressing on my to do lists.
Check out these Back from Break Checklists that you can grab for FREE below by subscribing!
Organization is the backbone of a smoothly running classroom. When everything has its place and routines are established, students know exactly what to expect, and you’ll spend less time managing chaos and more time teaching. A well-organized space fosters independence, saves time, and keeps everyone focused on learning. If you’re ready to take your classroom organization to the next level, check out THIS post about creating an organized classroom that works for you and your students!
The Secret Weapon – Your After Break Kit
RUN and grab this jam packed Back From Break Kit that contains everything you need for teaching after winter break. We’re talking detailed plans, paired mentor texts, and tons of engaging activities. All of these activities I mentioned and so much more! I’ve got your first entire week back planned out. This allows you to intentionally ease back in and have a great second semester!
If you loved this and want to read more tips for teaching after winter break, check out THESE posts below:
5 Easy Tips for the First Week After Winter Break
Easy Tips and Tools for Resetting After Break
Back From Breaks: 5 Fun Community Building Activities
Re-Establishing Norms After Long Breaks
I really hope you loved learning about the secret weapon teachers need to thrive after winter break. Don’t forget to subscribe to my email list! Not only will you get the most up to date tips, tricks, and classroom projects… and of course more fun FREEBIES including the Back From Break Checklist FREEBIE! You will also have exclusive access to tons of digital how to videos! If you would like to learn about this and other things happening in my classroom follow me @sweetnsauerfirsties on Instagram.
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