There is nothing quite like the month of December in the classroom. This December classroom management freebie is a special incentive that will help you survive the month.
Part of me wants to say…”December 2nd, wow, I cannot believe it is already December 2nd!” The other part of me says, “Oh my word….is it ONLY December 2nd??”
December is a crazy month for everyone, especially teachers. Holiday plays and holiday around the world studies and holiday gifts for students, their parents, and the staff, holiday treats, holiday gift shops, holiday elves… It’s enough to make anyone 🤪
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December Classroom Management Freebie to Help You Make it to Winter Break
People ask me if December is still crazy for year-round teachers. Unless you’re like my lucky Mom who is off-track from Thanksgiving until after New Years…Then, yep, it’s just as crazy. They are still kids. It’s still the holidays. December is nuts.
I’m drowning surviving this week…Not to mention that fact that it rained. SoCal kids don’t handle rain very well. Today when we were taking a whole group under-the-covered-area walk to the restroom, one of my sweet firsties asked me, “Teacher, is the rain water real?” Bless.her.heart. (Don’t worry, our weather unit is in January. ;-))
I thought this summed up the last two days perfectly…
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Thus…the Hot Chocolate Party was born.
My December Classroom Management Trick
First, I gave a huge spiel about how much I love hot chocolate and marshmallows and coziness by the fire.
Then I mentioned how much I would LOVE to drink hot chocolate with them…at school…with the fireplace on.
I told them today I had actually planned to do it on Monday but they were too chatty.
I was sad so I went home and had a hot chocolate party with Mr. A-Teachable-Teacher and our dog, Conan. During that time, I thought of a way they could earn a hot chocolate party…
This is on the board. I created a Hot Chocolate Party sign, laminated it, and put magnet tape on the back. Then I used clip art to make the words “hot chocolate” on marshmallows. They are also laminated and cut with magnet tape on the back. I have them inside page protector.
Every day they have the opportunity to earn letters. Once they earn enough letters to spell the words “Hot Chocolate,” they have earned their party! (Don’t be fooled, they haven’t earned any letters yet!)
Let’s see…we have 13 days of school left until Winter break, so I am thinking they will magically earn their party in about 12 days… 😉 Tell me I’m not the only one who pulls stunts like this!
The Hot Chocolate Party
Remember what I said about having the fire on when we drink hot chocolate in the classroom?! It’s TRUE!! Check out this free YouTube video of a fire.
It’s THREE hours long. (I hope your party is a heck of a lot shorter. 😂) I am going to display it on the white board using our classroom projector. And then we are going to drink hot chocolate and have a read aloud! It’s going to be so fun!!
Do you want to join us?
Click here to download the Hot Chocolate Party Template!
Do you have any other survive-until-winter-break, December classroom management tips or tricks? I would love to hear about them in the comments below! 👇
Oh my gosh that's adorable. I love that fire!
Thanks Jen! <3
I love this idea!!! It is so great!!! It would go perfect with the Polar Express movie too 🙂
Michelle
http://www.mrsscotese.blogspot.com
I love this, Lauren! I am surviving too! Can't wait to start this on Monday!
Ashley
One Sharp Bunch
I love the marshmallows with letters. Do you have a set or does Krista have a set with them the letters on them? If so I would love to order them. I have an idea of making a station activity for sight words by having the kids to make the sight words with the letter marshmallows on top of a picture of a cup of cocoa. If you know how I can get a set, my email is lwinst2773@aol.com
Thank you Lisa
Hi Lisa! I emailed you. =)
Thank you.
Love the marshmallow letters, so cute!! I will be using this starting Monday to get through the last 2 weeks, thank you!!
Very Cute! Thank you for sharing!
This is exactly what I needed! I just bought a big tub of cocoa and marshmallows for the day before break and was going to use it to motivate my kinders. This will go perfectly with what I wanted to plan! Thank you for sharing!
Kayla
The Chalkboard Garden
Thank you! I love this!
GREAT IDEA! I already use the "fireplace" everyday while we work in class so I'll have to come up with another incentive! And yes being a teacher is like being a psychologist…I always make my kiddos think that they are in control of rewards when in fact I have them all planned out too! Hehe. Here's to two more weeks until vacation! 🙂
What a creative way to motivate students! Thank you for sharing
Thanks so much for being so creative and for sharing with those of us who are not!
Love your creativity! Thank you for sharing with us!
Love the fireplace idea! I also do something like that. I use parts of WBT in my classroom so they earn smilies every day. Right now they can use the smilies earned to crossoff scrabble tiles for 3 possible prizes. They come up with the prizes. We just earned a popcorn party. It's really only eating popcorn while watching a Magic School Bus video but, to them, it is like the best thing ever!!! I like the hot chocolate idea. May have to add that to the 3 potential prizes right now. Hmmm…Thanks for the inspiration!
I love this – so cute!!
Thank you so much for sharing this darling printable. I love it! I wanted to start off January with a fun new incentive program. This is perfect! I love celebrating great behavior rather than nagging about naughty behavior. So, this works to celebrate awesome classroom behavior!
I love this! Definitely going to use it to reinforce those positive behaviors during the most well-behaved time of year ? Thank you for sharing!
Lol! Enjoy Megan, thanks for stopping by!
Lauren