I often advise teachers to plan for more than they'll need. It's always better to have something ready to go for those short chunks of time than to have a room full of students with "nothing to do". That is a recipe for chaos!
Have a mix of short (10-15 minutes) and long (30+ minutes) activities ready-to-go. That way you will be prepared for whatever comes your way.
It is common for me to have a couple stacks of copies that I don't get to before we leave for the break. In that case, I hand out the copies to the students as optional fun while they are at home for the break. Or, the copies make their way to the "recycling" basket; a place where students can grab unused papers as scrap or to craft and create during their recess.
We often think of physical activities as those which happen in the gymnasium or on the playground. However, you can sneak in some time for students to be out of their seats and moving around.
I love to use QR Code Scavenger Hunts to get students not only up and moving, but working in pairs or triads too! It gives the students an opportunity to move and work with their peers while learning the content.
There are two hunts that I will use this month:
Christmas Vocabulary QR Code Scavenger Hunt
Christmas Synonyms QR Code Scavenger Hunt
See all my QR Code Scavenger Hunts HERE.
I've also been using GoNoodle as part of our daily routine when tranistioning from one block of instruciton to another. For less than 5 minutes a day, you can give your students an opportunity to get the wiggles out and re-focus for the next block of instruction.
I always make an effort to balance tech with classic paper/pencil. It is even more important during hectic times of the year. Just as I plan to switch up mental and physical activities, the same applies to tech and paper/pencil.
I like to balance out the day. If I start with paper/pencil, I will end with tech; and vice versa. You can also plan by days (one tech day, one paper day). However you plan, try to keep switching it up. The students will be engaging different parts of their brain and better able to focus on content as the cognitive load "moves around".
If you are really adventurous, you can present that same task but give the students an option of paper or digital!
It's no secret that I love the novel The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I teach it every year. I highly advise you get your hands on a copy of this amazing novel. If you are unable to fit in a full literature study, read it aloud!
For many of my students, they need repeated practice with their fine-motor skills. We often use pencil and paper to give student's an opportunity to work on their fine motor skills. But, there are many opportunities to work on those skills that don't involve a pencil at all!
What better time of the year to get your students slowing down a bit with some intricate coloring, cutting, and glueing? It can be frustrating for students who need to work on their fine-motor skill. But that's the point, right? Hands-on activities (especially paper crafting) will give students a chance to practice fine motor skills.
Ideas to work fine motor skills into holiday crafting:
As an added incentive, when students know the craft they are working on will be gifted to a person they love, they have a more vested interest in doing their very best work.
Click to read about some of the best holiday crafts I've done with my students:
Christmas Tree Craft and Bulletin Board
Easy Candy Cane Christmas Ornaments
Easy Holiday Cards and Bags
Holiday Crafts and Projects in the Classroom
The Christmas season doesn't have to be exhausting or chaotic. With just a bit of planning on your part, you and your students can make it to the Christmas break without feeling like you've just run a gauntlet. Merry Christmas!