Remember many of our students have waited weeks to see a smiling face, hear their name in a positive way, and have a set routine that allows them to shine. Even if you teach in a school where families support their children outside the school day, it is probably suffice to say that all students need some grace when they re-enter the classroom.
Give each child a warm welcome, a kind word, and a safe place to land as they return to your room.
Set up some easy to use activities, that encourage conversation, vocabulary development and help children engage in sensory play. I use play snow as a medium in the sensory table (we live where snow is almost never seen). I freeze small toys in ice cube trays and use salt to melt the ice. The chemical reaction between salt and ice covers science standards plus the experiments are fun and engaging. Our word wall is full of winter themed words from clothing we need to animals that hibernate to weather we might see, or weather we wish we could see.
Most important allow grace, show students you care, and remember that sometimes we all just need to re-enter the real world slowly!
Grab your FREE bundle of activities here and get started with a hands-on learning environment.
Until next time, have fun and stay motivated, Ms. Tina
