Powerful January Activities and Resources for Your Classroom: Winter, Penguins, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I don't know about you, but when January begins, I always feel a bit fuzzy-headed when it comes to school. I'm so busy trying to remember my normal routines and procedures that I can't always remember some fun, incredible lessons and activities. This year, I have planned ahead so both your students and mine can benefit!

These Incredible January Activities and Resources for Your Classroom will get both you and your students excited to be back at school!

Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links; clicking on them may provide compensation for me at no cost to you if you make a purchase. Using them will make me happy too!

I admit I am going to start off with some books. For some of you, you might think I am nuts to include them on a list with Incredible January Activities and Resources! If you do think that, I must respond that I think it's nuts not to include them! I am a true bookworm at heart! There's magic in a good book!

Picture Books to Read

These books are just a few in my library that we ALWAYS read each year. I use the books to teach our skills of the day - problem/solution, character traits, sequencing, and so much more. Sometimes, I just read a book because it's fun! Shh...don't tell anyone!

            

                      

Penguins

Teaching students about penguins allows you to prepare students for testing because of the books that are nonfiction. Plus you can compare and contrast texts using fiction and nonfiction books.

           

      

Besides reading picture books, there are so many activities to do involving penguins...

• There are 17-19 different types of penguins found in the southern hemisphere. This makes for an exciting research project for students. To help with the research, here are some student-friendly websites - KidZone Penguins and Penguin World. 
• Instead of research (or in addition to), you may want students to view live penguin cams from the San Diego Zoo and the Kansas City Zoo.
• Teach students fact and opinion through task cards. Fact and opinion is a great skill to teach before students write either an opinion piece or a research paper. Knowing the difference in what to include is extremely important. Click on the picture below to see more!

Want students to figure out how penguins keep warm in cold weather and water? Then try this Blubber Experiment!

1. Fill a large bowl with ice water.
2. Open a gallon-size Ziploc bag and fill it with Crisco.
3. Place another gallon bag inside. (This keeps hands from getting "blubber" on them.
4. Have students compare and contrast having one hand in the ice water and one hand in the "blubber."

Snow/Snowmen

These books are definitely for fun. However, all of them are good for teaching different skills

                

There usually is a ton of snow in January around here (although last year it didn't snow until March), so I do a winter unit with a focus on snow, snowmen, and migration. 

A quick activity is a "Snowball Fight." You can do this with any subject. 

1. Students create questions about the topic of your choosing. 
2. They then crumple the papers. 
3. Throw the papers around to have a snowball fight. 
4. When the snowball fight is over, students can answer the questions.

Want more ideas???

1. Make "snow" - Mix 2 cups of baking soda and 1/2 cup of conditioner to make snow. 
2. STEM project - Students can build a snowflake or an igloo from marshmallows. 
3. Have students write steps in making a snowman. This is a great How-to writing assignment.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

              

        

There are so many things that you can do to honor Dr. King's life. It's difficult to know where to begin. Here are a few favorites...

1. After reading Martin's Big Words, break students into teams. Give them cups and markers. Students need to think of as many synonyms to describe Dr. King as possible. Each time they think of a word, they can write it on a cup. With their cups, each team has to create the tallest tower that they can!
2. Check out My Friend, Martin. It's about an hour cartoon and can be found on YouTube.
3. Watch Kid President explaining Dr. King's life.
4. Compare/contrast the books written by Dr. King's family members (his sister and son both wrote books about him - see the bottom row of MLK books above).
5. Students can learn facts about Dr. King even during math time, click on the picture below to see more.

What seasonal activities do you like to do in January with your students?

How to Transition Back to School After Winter Break: Tips for Teachers

Winter break is such a refreshing pause in the school year, but let’s be real—getting back into the swing of things can feel overwhelming! If you’re anything like me, you might return to school wondering, “What’s my password again?” or “Where does this even go?” Just thinking about it can bring on a wave of anxiety.

Now imagine how your students feel. Chances are, they haven’t given much thought to routines, procedures, or even school itself during the break. That’s why it’s absolutely essential to focus on reteaching expectations as you dive back into the classroom.

Don’t assume students will remember everything. Spend time re-establishing the behaviors and routines you want to see. This investment of time will pay off big in the long run, creating a more organized and productive classroom.

Quick Note: Some of the ideas I’ll share include links to resources I love. If you use these links to make a purchase, it won’t cost you anything extra, but I may earn a small commission. Plus, it totally makes my day when you find these helpful!

Top Activities to Kick Off the First Week Back After Winter Break

1. Reviewing Procedures Carousel

This fun and interactive activity is one of my go-to methods for reinforcing classroom rules after a break. It requires minimal prep, gets students moving, and engages them in a meaningful way.

What You’ll Need:

• Chart paper
• Markers

How It Works:

1. Identify Key Locations: Start by brainstorming places where students spend a lot of time (classroom, lunchroom, bathroom, hallway, etc.). Write each location at the top of a piece of chart paper. You can prepare this in advance or involve students in the process.
2. Group Rotation: Divide students into small groups and assign each group to a piece of chart paper. Give them 3–4 minutes to jot down behaviors, actions, and expectations for that location.
3. Rotate: Have groups rotate to the next chart paper. Before adding new ideas, they should read what’s already written and avoid duplicating information. Allow more time (5–7 minutes) as they progress.
4. Debrief: Once all groups have visited each location, gather as a class to discuss the key takeaways.

Pro Tips:

• Assign each group a specific color marker to track contributions.
• Pair higher readers with lower readers for better collaboration.
• Set clear expectations upfront to keep the activity productive.

This exercise might get a bit noisy, but trust me—it works wonders!

2. Procedure Pantomime

Want a fun and memorable way to reinforce classroom rules? Procedure Pantomime is a creative activity that can last a day, a week, or even the rest of the school year if needed.

What You’ll Need:

• Index cards
• Pen or marker

How It Works:

1. Brainstorm Scenarios: Have students come up with basic rules and procedures or reflect on specific behaviors that caused issues earlier in the year (e.g., yelling out in class, leaving chairs pushed out).
2. Create Cue Cards: Write each rule, procedure, or scenario on a separate index card.
3. Act It Out: Select a few cards each day. Students act out the scenarios in two ways:
   • What NOT to do: Let them exaggerate incorrect behavior for a good laugh.
   • What TO do: Follow up with the correct way to handle the scenario.

This activity not only reinforces expectations but also gives students a clear visual reminder of appropriate behaviors.

3. New Year’s Goal Setting

The new year is the perfect time to encourage students to reflect and set personal goals. This activity helps students think about positive changes they can make, both academically and personally.

What You’ll Need:

• Task cards (FREE download available!)
• Recording sheet

How It Works:

1. Print and Prep: Print the task cards and recording sheets. (Click the link below to grab your free copy!)
   
   
   
2. Station Setup: Place the task cards around the room.
3. Student Walkthrough: Have students rotate from card to card, answering the questions.
4. Class Discussion: Regroup to share and discuss their answers as a class.

This activity is a great way to start the year with a positive and goal-oriented mindset.

Bonus Activity - 

I start with this booklet on my students' desks to start as morning work. It keeps them busy while I start the morning. Plus I use the other materials in the download to create a fun bulletin board with our words of the year. Last year, our entire 3rd grade added their words of the year to create a fun display in our hallway!

What You’ll Need:

• One Word Goal Setting and Resolution Book

How It Works:

1. Students complete their resolution books: Most of this can be done without any need to review or teach new information. This is a perfect way to start off our day!
   
   
   
2. Brainstorm ideas for Words of the Year: Let students choose their words of the year and finish their booklets.

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What Are Your Go-To Strategies?

I’d love to hear what you’re planning for your first week back after break! Share your favorite tips and tricks in the comments below. Let’s make this transition as smooth (and fun!) as possible for everyone. 😊

7 School Supplies Teachers Must Have in Their Classroom

Cha-Ching! There goes the register adding up all the useless purchases I have made throughout my 15 years of teaching.

I have followed fads with things I thought I must have - toolboxes for school supplies, adorable miniature erasers, countless items from Target's dollar spot, and so much more!

Some items have been spectacular hits while most have just turned out to be duds. 

You don't need all fun new must have items. You do, however, need these 7 School Supplies! They are a must in my classroom and they will be in your room too!

*Disclaimer - This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on them will not cost you any money but may earn me a small commission if you make a purchase.

7 - Toolkit

This may seem like something that is frivolous and not necessary, but let me explain! A toolkit will help you with tasks like these:

• Using pliers to pull a too short pencil from the pencil sharpener.
• Using a screwdriver to fix a loose screw on a student's desk.
• Measuring anything with the tape measure (or using in a math lesson).
• Creating even bulletin boards with the level.
• Having on hand whenever my Dad comes to visit. I always have something for him to fix!

My toolkit has also come in handy in an emergency! 

At the end of the school day a couple of years ago, a teacher was returning to her classroom to find the lock stuck. Since it was the end of the day, our regular maintenance guy was gone for the day. 

Instead, there were two cleaning ladies, our dean, and our principal all trying to open the door without success because they couldn't find the right tools. 

My trusty toolkit saved the day, opening the door to let everyone get their supplies to go home! 

I've now had my toolkit for about 10 years! I can't go back to not having it around! It's a must have!

6 - Pencil Sharpener

I am a bit of a snob when it comes to pencil sharpeners. The one pictured above is the ONLY one I use (and I use it for colored pencils too)! 

I have one for home and school. When the school one finally dies, I bring my rarely used one from home and get myself a new at home sharpener. I find that I only have to get a new sharpener every 2 and a 1/2 to 3 years. 

I know that some teachers do not let students use their pencil sharpeners. I don't have the time or energy to sharpen my students' pencils. Instead, I teach my students how to properly use this sharpener. 

When a pencil is sharpened, the sharpener makes a quieter sound. We all listen for this sound and then I have my students practice using it correctly. 

Helpful Tips: If your sharpener isn't working, try these things:

• Make sure the cup for shavings is pushed in tightly. If it's not, it won't run.
• Unplug the sharpener and put it over a garbage can. Bang on it a few times to loosen anything. Cheap pencils will leave remnants behind.
• If a pencil is caught inside, unplug the sharpener. Use pliers to remove the pencil.

5 - Rocketbook

This may seem like a strange thing to include but trust me on this one. A Rocketbook is a reusable notebook. 

You can write down any notes you want and then erase it when you are finished. Plus you can use the app to send anything you write to the location of your choice - email, Google Drive, etc.

Here's why I recommend this as a must have for school... 

• Instead of writing down all your to-do's on post-it notes, keep them in here. This way you won't lose them. 
• When you go to a PD's or staff meetings, use this notebook for any information you need to remember.  Send your notes to the proper area of your Google Drive or email.

4 - Laminator

Are you even a teacher if you do not like paper stuck in a piece of plastic?

I love to use task cards, like obsessed with them! The problem is when they are just printed on regular paper, they do not last. Laminating them allows me to reuse them year after year.

Laminated items can also be written on with dry erase markers!

Just like the pencil sharpener, I have an at school and an at home laminator. It's easy to sit on the couch, binge watching a show on Netflix, and laminating everything I need.

3 - Fun Pens

Are you a flair pen or ink joy pen person? I am definitely a flair pen person.

Pens are an item that may seem frivolous. But, think about how much time you are going to spend grading papers. That is a thankless, tedious job! Having a favorite pen to use for grading helps to make this a little more palatable. 

Since my favorite color is purple, I ONLY use purple pens when grading. I find that flair pens tend to be smoother when writing. They are also nice and dark when I use my ELMO (it shows on any paper and writing in real time). Other pens tend to fade and not get seen on the board.

2 - BLUE Sticky Tack

Sticky Tack is used in lieu of tape to stick posters to the wall. 

Notice, I said that the Sticky Tack has to be blue (the other colors do not work as well). I have found that this sticky tack is the only thing that will really hold my posters up all school year. 

You use small amounts, roll it in a ball, and stick it all over the back of a poster. You may need to use a lot to keep it up, but once you invest in this, it will last for years. 

At the end of the school year, when removing posters, collect all the sticky tack and keep it in a sealed container. You can reuse this the following year. 

You may need to roll around the sticky tack in order for it to be tacky again. It really lasts!

1 - The Perfect Bag

My current favorite bag is this one. I never thought of myself as a backpack girl. I usually have preferred something that looked more professional.

The reason I finally switched are the pockets on the side. They are perfect for water bottles and coffee cups. I tend to drink a lot of beverages during the day! Having two spots for drinks is a MUST HAVE!

This bag also has a compartment for a laptop, locks if needed, and has other pockets for writing utensils and papers.

No matter what bag you choose, make sure to works for your needs!

What are your Must Have Back to School Supplies?

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