‘Twas the day before winter break, and all through their mind,
The teacher was unsure how to pass the time.
Did they put together a test they would just have to grade?
Did they pop in a movie and call it a day?
No, they searched ideas from bloggers and TPT,
For activities they could do that would be super easy!
Day before winter break activities can be so tricky to plan. I never liked the phrase “free day” – I like for the time in my classroom to be useful to my students through reinforcing knowledge or building up class culture. On the other hand, keeping students focused on the day before they leave for an extended break can be hard. That’s why I put together this list of my go-to day before holiday break activities. Check out these ideas for your secondary English Language Arts classroom so you can add a little holly jolly to your plans!
1. Read “The Gift of the Magi”
A perfect story for the holiday season, “The Gift of the Magi” is a great ending to the school season and transition to the holidays. See my previous blog post chalk full of teaching ideas. If you are looking for a done-for-you option, my bundle includes short story activities that you can complete in a single class period. If you have a little more time, longer class periods, or looking for a short project, it also includes a quiz and children’s book activity. My students love having their children’s books to give to someone special or to cherish as a keepsake.
2. Write Argumentative Letters to Santa
Santa isn’t just for the littles! This is a fun no prep activity you can give your students to strengthen their argumentative writing skills. You can find the activity here – I’ve included festive templates for you to use, as well as Google slides for your digitally inclined classrooms. Arguing for a spot on the nice list doesn’t have to just be for children. Up the rigor for bigger kids by asking them to include rhetorical techniques in their arguments. Add a reason that would fall under ethos, pathos, and logos, or any other rhetorical strategies you may have covered in class.
3. Write a Narrative with a Little Luck
Have your students work on narrative writing skills with this festive activity. Students will write a one-of-a-kind story by rolling dice for their main story elements. I’ve included a dice script as well, so this works digitally! These look great as a bulletin board display so you can add a little festive flair to your classroom, or have students write their stories and share them over hot chocolate and treats.
4. Practice Parts of Speech
Before you shut down this idea, take a look at my Holiday Mad Libs activity. Students will be having so much fun that they won’t even notice they are working on parts of speech. I’ve included five festive themes and these are print-and-go. This is always a hit the day before break. If you have extra time, have students create their own. My students always love coming up with creative ideas for their own festive stories.
5. Play the “Human Holiday Tree” Game
I started this game a few years ago and it quickly became one of my most memorable activities all year long. (Seriously, kids would come to me years later still talking about it!)
Here is the gist:
- Split your students into groups.
- Create “supply bags” for each group. I would always include construction paper, blank white paper, coloring materials, scissors, and tape at the bare minimum. You can also add holiday items such as wrapping paper, bows, garland, lights, etc. You can also announce to the students that they can use anything on their person or in their belongings. (You’d be surprised how many festive items students are carrying the day before Christmas break!)
- Give students a time limit and tell them they are creating the most festive “human tree” possible. They are to decorate one of their classmates to look like a holiday tree.
- Allow them time to work and then, if possible, bring in an outside source to judge. (I always just grabbed the teacher across the hall.) I found that they were always willing to take the impartial judge’s word over mine.
As a disclaimer, I will say that you should know your audience before deciding to use this. I’ve done it for several years in a row, but if I had a class I thought couldn’t handle it, I’d pull out something else. It’s an incredibly fun activity that will get your students up and moving and thinking creatively and an opportunity to strengthen class culture is never a waste. Grab the actual slide deck I use for this activity here. (Please make your own copy first!) I hope this idea helps you create a little day before break magic in your own classroom.
What do you like to do in your classroom the day before Christmas break? Which of these ideas would you like to try? Let me know in the comments below or join me on Instagram or Facebook to join the discussion.
Happy teaching!
