Classroom winter activities can help you set the tone for the second half of the school year.. January & winter mark a fresh start for teachers and students alike, offering the perfect opportunity to introduce meaningful and engaging activities into your classroom. Whether you’re teaching upper elementary or middle school, these 15 classroom winter activities can help your students jump back into learning after the holiday break.
15 Engaging Classroom Winter Activities for January Lesson Plans
1. New Year’s Writing Resolutions
Encourage students to reflect on their academic and personal goals for the year. Have them write a paragraph or essay about what they want to achieve, why it matters, and the steps they’ll take to get there. This activity can be added to your January lesson plans and even extended by pairing students to share and discuss their goals.
2. “One Word” Challenge Adds to Classroom Winter Activities
Ask students to pick one word that represents their focus for the year, such as “growth,” “kindness,” or “perseverance.” They can write about why they chose the word and create a decorative poster illustrating it. Display their work around the classroom as a reminder of their aspirations. Here’s an easy-to-use One Word Poster Activity.
3. January Read-Aloud and Discussions
Add a themed book or short story to your January lesson plans as a read aloud in class. Titles like “All Summer in a Day” or novel titles like “The Benefits of Being an Octopus” or “Amal Unbound” or “Ghost” or “The Thing About Jellyfish” offer seasonal appeal and themes of perseverance, self-discovery, and friendship. Follow up with a group discussion or comprehension activity.
4. Poetry and Winter Imagery
Introduce your students to winter-themed poetry, such as “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost. Encourage them to analyze the poem’s imagery and mood before crafting their own winter-inspired poems. For struggling writers, consider writing out prompts that allow students to fill in the blank. This reduces writing anxiety and can help with creativity and confidence.
5. Martin Luther King Jr. Activities
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, have students write about their dreams for a better world. Pair this with a discussion about King’s leadership and legacy, or use excerpts from his speeches as mentor texts for persuasive writing exercises. Here’s a fun MLK unit that focuses on mentor sentences using information about MLK.
6. Add Literature Circles to Your Classroom Winter Activities
January is a great time to start literature circles or book clubs. Provide students with a list of book options that tie into themes like perseverance, change, or teamwork. Or select several novels that span the reading levels of your students. Use this complete book club unit for everything you need, including book titles and page break downs. Guide them in setting reading goals and hosting meaningful discussions. Find out more about using book clubs in the classroom in this blog post.
7. Winter-Themed Creative Writing
Incorporate a roll-a-story activity with a winter theme. Students can roll dice to determine their story’s characters, setting, and conflict. This creative twist makes narrative writing more engaging.
8. Historical Research Projects
Assign students a research project focusing on historical events that happened in January, such as the Emancipation Proclamation (January 1, 1863) or Amelia Earhart’s solo flight across the Pacific (January 11, 1935). Let students present their findings through slideshows, essays, or posters. January is also a great time to start History Day projects if your school participates in this valuable activity.
9. Figurative Language in Winter Writing
Review similes, metaphors, and personification with winter-themed examples. Challenge students to craft descriptive paragraphs or short stories featuring figurative language to bring a snowy scene to life. Here’s an engaging, winter-themed figurative language task card unit for review. To add fun, have students draw a picture of the figurative language they’ve used and write the sentence below the picture. These make great January bulletin boards!
10. Winter Reading Challenges
Create a January-themed reading challenge. For example, set a goal for each student to read three books during the month, complete book reviews, or explore a new genre. Offer certificates or small prizes for participation to build excitement.
11. Classroom Debate: Snow Days vs. Remote Learning
Host a debate where students argue for or against traditional snow days versus remote learning during winter weather. This activity hones persuasive speaking and critical thinking skills while engaging students in a relevant topic.
12. Author Study
Highlight a famous author whose work aligns with your curriculum or January themes, such as Jack London or E.L. Konigsburg. Have students read a short story or excerpt, then analyze the author’s style, themes, and use of language.
13. Winter Word Games
Engage your students in vocabulary practice with winter-themed word searches, crossword puzzles, or “snowball” scrambles. You can also incorporate color-by-code activities tied to grammar, parts of speech, or figurative language.
14. January Journal Prompts
Kick off the new year with reflective and creative journal prompts, such as:
- “What would you do if you were snowed in for a week?”
- “Describe your perfect snow day.”
- “What’s one thing you want to improve on this semester?”
Provide time for students to share their responses if they’re comfortable. Find ready-to-use winter journals and prompts here.
15. Kindness Campaign
January is a natural time to refocus on classroom culture. Start a kindness challenge by brainstorming simple ways students can show kindness at school or in the community. Create a kindness tracker and celebrate small acts of thoughtfulness throughout the month.
By incorporating a mix of writing, reading, and creative activities, you can ensure your classroom feels refreshed and energized for the new year. Whether it’s fostering teamwork through book clubs or inspiring creativity with winter-themed poetry, these activities can set a positive tone for January and beyond.
Which of these activities are you most excited to try? Let me know in the comments below!
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