The excitement, much like the snow in the winter
wonderland areas of the world, is swirling in the air as the holiday season
inches closer and closer! Students are surely itching for their break so they
can celebrate with family and friends. Classrooms have such diversity when it
comes to celebrating winter holidays—Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and other
cultural festivities are everywhere. But come December 31st, people
all over the world will be ringing in the New Year. There are plenty of ways to
ring in 2017 in the classroom, too!
New Year’s resolutions are one of the most common
practices, and the students can get involved as well! Resolutions are a great
lesson in self-determination, self-esteem, and responsibility. As teachers, we
can instill the importance of setting goals that are challenging but
attainable, and emphasize the difference motivation can make when working
towards a personal objective. Resolutions allow students time to reflect on
what they have done the past year and what they would like to achieve in 2017.
Have students brainstorm different goals they would like to set, and work with
each student individually to create a New Year’s resolution that is realistic,
manageable, and even fun to try and achieve! Encourage students to write goals using the S.M.A.R.T acronym (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, timely).
Once the students have written it
down, they can even post them on a bulletin board or a wall so that they proudly
reflect back on their goals when January comes, and so that they are held
accountable!
Here is a resource that will allow students to create an interactive clock craft where they can write in their goals for the New Year! This resource also comes with a SMART goal setting poster and banners to make the perfect New Year's 2017 bulletin board!
As a whole class, students can work together to also
list their accomplishments in 2016. It is important for students to be able to
reflect back on what they have done and what they have achieved. Let students
focus not on what they feel did not go well, but what made them feel
accomplished! Focus on the academics—did the students feel they made big gains
in long division? Did the students suddenly start spelling more complicated
words correctly that used to trouble them? Did the students finally get the
time they wanted on their mile-run in physical education? All accomplishments
are good accomplishments!
Another fun activity that also celebrates diversity is
to learn how different countries ring in the New Year! Research the traditions
in other countries such as Great Britain, France, Japan, and Australia. Show the
students how New Year’s Eve happens in each country—the parties, the
celebrations, the fireworks! It may also be a good time to throw in a quick
discussion on the Chinese New Year and how it is different from the New Year
that most countries celebrate!
In true New Year’s Eve tradition, it is always fun to
have a mock New Year’s Eve party! Send home notes about the party and have
students come to school on that chosen day dressed nicely and ready to
celebrate. Students can bring in snacks and games! Play games like Charades,
pin the tail on the donkey, and other simple games in which students can
engage. Set a countdown, and when there is one minute left, show a video of the
ball dropping in Times Square and have students countdown from sixty! Once the “New
Year” arrives, celebrate with hugs and the classic “Auld Lang Syne,” and
perhaps some noisemakers and confetti if you don’t mind the noise and mess!
The New Year is an opportunity for students to reflect
back on everything they have done in the past year. Learning how to form goals
and take on personal responsibilities is an important practice as they grow
into young adults, and encouraging reflection and growth in the classroom
environment is even more important! Create an environment where students are
hopeful for a safe and prosperous New Year!
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