Well, the holidays are winding down, and I’m guessing your winter break is almost over. It goes so fast, doesn’t it? I came back to work yesterday, and it took me a while to shake off the cobwebs and get back into the swing of things. Not to mention my endless supply of cookies and snacks wasn’t within arm’s reach–probably a good thing! What finally got me going was grabbing a cup of tea, putting in my favorite CD, and making a list of must-dos by the end of the day. Of course, it didn’t hurt that I found some chocolate motivation that had been left in the kitchen by my coworkers.

When I was teaching, I always started the day after a long break with a fun, brain-thawing game we called The List Game. It’s simple, really, but the kids loved it and it really got their thinking jump-started. To play, simply divide your class into teams. Select one student on each team to be the recorder. Then, announce a topic such as “things that are red,” “things that are cold,” “things with wheels,” etc. Each group has one minute to list as many things as possible that fit the topic. When time is up, have the recorders read the teams’ lists. Award the each team one point for each correct answer. Next pick a new topic and do it all again. The team with the most points at the end of the game wins.

What gets you and your students going after a long holiday break? Do you do something special for your students or coworkers? Do you have an activity that helps shake the cobwebs out?

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Well, I pulled out my favorite holiday read-aloud last night, The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. It was the first of many readings to come over the next few weeks. My sons love it just as much as my students always did. When I was teaching fifth grade, one of those students actually bought me the hardcover gift set complete with an audio version and a silver bell. It has gotten more use than any other gift I received as a teacher! So what’s at the top of your holiday reading lists? Do you make read-alouds a part of your seasonal classroom activities? Please share! If Polar Express is one you enjoy with your students, try these FREE ideas after reading the book. I’ve also listed a few of the seasonal books that are featured in the December/January issues of our magazines. See the magazine page listed for ideas to go with each book. Happy holidays!

Snowballs
by Lois Ehlert
Combine a sack of “good stuff” with the perfect snowball day and what do you get? An entire snow family! The unique collage illustrations in this simple story are sure to fascinate your youngsters!
–featured on page 22 of The MAILBOX Preschool

Celebrate Hanukkah With Light, Latkes, and Dreidels
by Deborah Heiligman
Photographs show children from around the world participating in Hanukkah traditions. A recipe, a glossary, and additional information are included at the back of the book.
–featured on page 14 of The MAILBOX BOOKBAG

Snowmen at Night
by Caralyn Buehner
One wintry day, a young child builds a glorious snowman. But the following morning his snowman is droopy and disheveled—which leads him to imagine what snowmen do at night!
–featured on page 28 of The MAILBOX Preschool

The Story of Kwanzaa
by Donna L. Washington
With clear, descriptive language, this nonfiction text traces the history and traditions of Kwanzaa.
–featured on page 16 of The MAILBOX BOOKBAG

Tacky the Penguin
by Helen Lester
Tacky is an odd, unconventional penguin with a group of very dignified friends. Although his outlandish behaviors annoy his companions, they come in handy when his penguin pals are in need of rescue!
–featured on page 29 of The MAILBOX Preschool and on page 13 of The MAILBOX Kindergarten

How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
by Dr. Seuss
The Grinch plots to steal Christmas joy from the Whos down in Who-ville. When he learns that Christmas spirit is more than trees and gifts, the Grinch receives the best gift of all.
–featured on page 15 of The MAILBOX BOOKBAG

The First Day of Winter
by Denise Fleming

Forest friends watch a child decorate their snowy pal in this cheerful tale. The repetitive text mimics “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
–featured on page 41 of The MAILBOX Kindergarten and pages 13 of The MAILBOX BOOKBAG

The Mitten
by Jan Brett

Nicki takes his newly knit snow-white mittens with him outside in the snow. After he unknowingly drops one of them, several woodland critters find shelter in it. The border illustrations throughout the delightful tale provide clues to the story as it unfolds.
–featured on page 26 of The MAILBOX Grade 1

The Hat
by Jan Brett

When a curious hedgehog gets a woolen stocking stuck on his spines, he becomes the laughingstock of all the other animals on the farm. But this smart little hedgehog convinces the other animals that they all need similar headwear.
–featured on page 39 of TEACHER’S HELPER Kindergarten

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If practice makes perfect, then here’s the perfect way to practice: Math Practice Pages. This month’s featured book from The Mailbox Books provides lots of practice for the number and operations skills on which your students will likely be tested, but the formats make it more fun than typical textbook practice. Each book has 80 reproducible skill sheets featuring kid-friendly characters and engaging formats to keep students interested.

We know you need to prepare students for end-of-year tests and here’s a way to do it without boring skill and drill! Don’t take my word for it: print the sample pages below and try them out with your students. Then, stop back by and let me know what you think.

If you’ve read previous book features, you know how this works! Each person who comments on this post will be entered in a drawing to win one FREE Math Practice Pages book. I’ll randomly draw one name on December 19 and contact the winner via email.

Congratulations Monica from Star Elementary School. She is the winner of a Math Practice Pages book!

Math Practice Pages Series

Kindergarten sample pages table of contents Grade 1 sample pages table of contents Grade 2 sample pages table of contents Grade 3 sample pages table of contents Grade 4 sample pages table of contents Grade 5 sample pages table of contents

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Wow! After reading all the comments left on How Has Teaching Changed? I have to ask, What’s next? We can’t deny that the teaching environment has changed in recent years. However, I know that there are wonderful things happening in classrooms all over the country! I hear about them through emails and idea submissions sent in to our editors. I read about them on this blog. I see them in my own children’s classrooms each day. Teachers have an amazing way of adapting to their surroundings and making the best of a situation.

So tell me what you see as some of the positive happenings with teaching today. Then imagine that in just five short years, you are working in the perfect teaching environment. What does that look like? And more important, how can we make that ideal classroom a reality? What do we as educators need to do to make that happen?

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