The week before winter break feels different in the classroom. These week before winter break activities are easy to pull out when students need a quick break, some movement, or a chance to talk and have fun together. Here are three easy activities to keep ready for those last few days before break!
#1. Would You Rather Questions
Would You Rather is one of my favorite activities when students need something quick but still want a chance to talk. Give students two choices and have them decide which one they would rather pick.
You can simply have students vote, or turn each question into a quick classroom discussion. Ask a few students to explain their choices, have students find a classmate who chose the opposite answer, or let partners compare their answers.
I especially like using Would You Rather when you only have a few minutes to fill because you can do one question or keep going for as long as you need!
You can also use the questions during morning meeting, a class party, or as a quick break between lessons. Here are more ways to use Would You Rather in the classroom.
#2. Get Students Moving With Sit or Stand
If your students have been sitting for a while, this one gets them out of their seats without requiring a complicated game or a bunch of materials!
Students see two winter-themed choices and vote for their favorite by sitting or standing. Once everyone has chosen, take a second to look around the room and see who made the same choice.
You can also have students turn to someone nearby and explain why they picked their answer. It’s a simple way to add movement and conversation to those last few days before winter break.
The Winter Sit or Stand game works well as a brain break, during morning meeting, after lunch, or anytime your class could use a quick change of pace.
#3. Try a Winter Guess the Picture Game
Need something a little quieter? Try a winter Guess the Picture game!
Students look at a mystery winter-themed picture as it is revealed a little at a time and try to figure out what it is. Each new image gives another clue, so students have to look closely before guessing.
The Winter Guess the Picture slides also include sentence starters students can use to share their guesses. This can be especially helpful when you want students to explain their thinking instead of calling out the answer as soon as they know it.
Use a few slides as a quick break, play during morning meeting, or save the whole game for a class celebration before winter break.
How to Use These Activities the Week Before Winter Break
You don’t need to set aside an entire lesson for these activities. Keep them ready for the little pockets of time that tend to pop up during the last few days before winter break.
Try them:
- during morning meeting
- as a quick brain break
- after lunch or recess
- between lessons
- when you have 5-10 extra minutes
- during a winter classroom celebration
You can also choose the activity based on what your class needs. Sit or Stand adds movement, Would You Rather gets students talking, and Guess the Picture gives you a calmer whole-class option.
More Week Before Winter Break Activities
The last few days before winter break can still include plenty of opportunities for students to talk, laugh, move, and spend time together as a class.
If you want several activities ready to go, you can grab the classroom games bundle and keep a few options on hand for whatever your class needs that day.
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