5 Must-Give Winter Break Homework Assignments
This post contains some affiliate links. Purchasing from these links helps me keep this blog running to share education ideas with this community. Thank you for supporting teachers!
It’s almost winter break and your students are going to be at home with family, eating, possibly playing video games, and maybe even enjoying some snow! You want to make sure they are learning, right? Winter break homework is essential! Send home these 5 assignments to give over winter break to make sure your students come back to school ready to learn!
5 Must-Give Winter Break Homework Assignments
1. Be kind.
Kindness doesn’t cost a thing. First, encourage your students to choose kindness every time they can. Hold the door open for a stranger, bite their tongue when they really want to snap at a sibling or a parent, and do a needed chore without being asked. #Bekind may seem like a trendy mantra for schools, but it’s really a way of life that spreads the holiday spirit. Winter break homework should be all about kindness!
#BeKind can't just be a hashtag. We have to live and model it to our Ss every day. In your words online and in person, show those around you at even though it can be tough to #choosekindness, you never know what someone is going through. Learn their story and #bekind. pic.twitter.com/ACymQgmuVz
— Jen Schneider (@jenmschneider) August 7, 2018
2. Sleep in.
Teachers, students, parents all deserve some rest! When we get time off, we should use it to let our bodies relax. School starts so early for most kids, so give them an assignment to sleep in a bit (with parental permission and without sleeping the whole day away, of course)!
3. Spend some time with people you care about.
No matter what holiday (if any) your students celebrate over the break, hopefully they will be surrounded by people who they love and care about. Keep in mind, this isn’t the case for every student in your school.
For some, school is their happy place, and home is not the best place to be. For these (and really all) students, make sure they know how much you care before they leave for the break. I don’t send my 100+ middle schoolers home with gifts (I have to watch my wallet too), but I try to let them know every day (through words and actions) that I really do care about them. If you’re worried about a student being safe over break, you should let a counselor know. If it’s more than just a worry, make sure to go through the proper channels to report suspected abuse.
4. Take a nap.
Even if your students slept in, they could take a nap (provided they wake up before nap time). I promise, I will be taking a mid-day snooze on December 26 after my sugar cookie coma and Lego overload (holy cow my daughter has some Legos under the tree. . .shh. . .) subsides!
5. Read. . .anything.
OK, this sounds like a true homework assignment, but I am simply recommending for my students to read ANYTHING over break. Turn on the closed captioning on YouTube videos and Netflix shows. Read a blog post or a web article about Minecraft. Take a trip to the library and check out the latest Neal Shusterman Scythe book or an inclusive LGBTQ YA title. Anything goes over winter break. JUST READ!
Here are a few favorite titles I recommend!
Elementary Readers:
Middle School Readers:
(My middle schoolers recommend these titles!)
High School Readers:
Check out some places to find FREE ebooks online!
These 5 homework assignments to give over winter break will have your students back to school refreshed and ready to learn in January! Of course, sending students home with bundles of worksheets, packets, and work is not recommended. “Homework” should be about enjoying time with family and a well-deserved break for teachers and students!
