New Year Ideas!

Happy Holidays as we wrap up the 2025 year! As we end the month of December and march forward into the new year, consider the items below to set yourself up for a great second half. Having time off is a great time to get away from teaching all together. Spend time with your family and friends. Toward the end of your break reflect about change in your classroom. Think about your current class procedures. What is working? What isn't? Are all the students successful in their current seats? What do you like that you're doing? What is not working? I also recommend checking in with yourself: how do you feel about teaching? Do you have stress and anxiety? Consider January a restart and a refresh for your classroom. 

I recommend the following for the January re-entrance in 2026. 

  • Welcome students to the new year! 
  • Change Seats
  • Map out the remainder of your semester or quarter 
  • Reteach Procedures
  • Add New Procedures if necessary (nothing major) 
  • Begin new content
  • Consider incorporating more group work 

Change seats! Students get too comfortable in their seats and you might start seeing more chatty behaviors or disengagement. That's normal. Changing seats also can put students in a better place to succeed. When I mention seat changes, students usually groan about it. Just remind them if they have an issue with their seat, seeing you after class is the best way to talk to you about it. 99% of students will not stay after class. 

Plan the remainder of your quarter. What is your end product or final going to be? Think about the end in mind. Working backwards can be helpful; giving your students and yourself enough time to finish everything in a timely manner. 

Look at bathroom, water drinking, grading, lateness, and technology procedures. What needs to improve? 

I like to begin something new, because some students will forget what you were teaching before a break. The fresh start in the new year pairs well with new content! 

Try more student centered approaches to learning if your students are ready to do this. I know this can be difficult, but you have to know your students. Incorporate more group work might be the spice you need to change things up. Try something new! 
 
Happy holidays! I'll see you in 2026! 
 
Best wishes,
 
Mr. Greg 


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