Getting Back on Track After Holiday Break

Hi Everyone!  It's Lyndsey from Lit with Lyns!  Getting back into the swing of things after the holiday break can definitely be a challenge.  I keep counting down the days I have left and can't help but feel a little sad.  The thought of having to send my own kids back to school, wake up to an alarm at the crack of dawn, commute to work in Atlanta traffic...I'm beginning to cringe just thinking about it.

In trying to keep it positive, I decided the best way to deal with the inevitable is to plan activities that I know my students (and myself) will enjoy.  First, I created a New Year's Student Reflection- Video Journal Responses &  Infographic.  This product includes video journal responses where students watch a short video related to the response topic, and then students write a response.  Using the information they include in the journal responses, students will complete a New Year’s Infographic.

Included are:
• 6 video journal responses that address various areas included in the infographic (goal setting, SMART Goals, resolutions, making positive changes, symbolism, etc.).
• 2 page infographic

Another product I use is a New Year's Character Reflection & Infographic.  This activity is a great
way to analyze a character, while also putting the New Year's spin on it.

The activities in this product will require students to:
• Develop a New Year’s resolution for the character
• Determine character’s most cherished memories
• Establish the character’s favorite “things”
• Symbolization- 5 symbols that represent the character
• Goals for the New Year

Similar to the topics discussed in the Infographic are these New Year's Character Reflection Task Cards!  This Common Core aligned product includes 20 task cards that require students to think critically about the character(s) being addressed, as well as to support their answers with evidence.  Approximately half of the cards require students to reflect on the character’s
past year or the year to come; however, the tasks do not have to be used as a New Year’s activity. The other half focuses more on characterization, in general (types of conflict the character has been involved in, internal and external traits, etc.). Therefore, these task cards can be used at any point throughout the year with ANY novel or short story.  Want to try out a free sample of this product?  Download this FREEBIE here!

I'd love to here what you're planning for your students when you return to school.  It would be great to have a variety of activities on hand to be ready to go!