As adults, we know that getting back into the swing of things almost always presents a unique set of challenges. This challenge is something our students experience too! So how can we be mindful after a break?

Here are some ideas that will help to make the transition smoother and more meaningful for YOU and your students.

Reconnect through Journaling

Take time to reconnect with the students in your space. You’ve all been away in your own spaces, surrounded by different contexts, experiences, and likely challenges. Take some time to check in with each other. Use journaling prompts to give students a space to share how things have gone for them while they’ve been away, what they may be excited or worried about in coming back, and whatever else may be on their mind.

Journaling Prompts can be used in multiple ways:

1. Individual: each student has their own journal page. Their responses could be anonymous, they could choose a sentence or two to share, or read their journal with a classmate.
2. Partner Work: have students respond to the prompt verbally (I would still recommend having them take at least 3 minutes to jot down some bulleted points on a sticky note prior to talk time). Give them a plan for sharing ahead so they know what to prep along the way (Share something your partner said, create a 10 word summary of your discussion, etc.)
3. Small Group Stations: ease students back into being surrounding by peers by creating smaller groups. Small groups are especially great when each member can take on a specific role (time keeper, starter, speaker, note-taker, etc.). Each station could house a different talking point.
4. Whole Group: this could take an open-forum format by simply stating the prompt and allowing students to volunteer their thoughts, or it could be more anonymous (post questions on the board and allow students to share responses on post-it notes…then select numerous responses to share out).
5. Student-Teacher Write & Respond: this one might be my favorite. It’s like the journal format in #1, but as the teacher, you would write a response to their journal entry. This helps students to feel seen and makes a HUGE impact on building classroom relationships!

Looking for a place to start? I have over 20 journaling SETS to choose from. Below I’ve linked (click the image) several that would provide a great focus for connecting and resetting after a break. You can buy one journal set at a time or purchase them in bundles of 5!

Review Norms, Routines, & Expectations

Get back to basics! Review what the expectations and norms are in your classroom space. Go back over routines and procedures you were using prior in your space. To be clear, don’t simply just discuss them, actually walk through them and model them again.

Call on student volunteers to do the modeling instead of keeping it all teacher-led. Students often yearn for a chance to show what they know and demonstrate their knowledge. This type of review is a perfect opportunity that is low-stakes and accessible for students of all talents and ability levels.

FYI – this would be a great time to make any adjustments to what may NOT have been working prior! If a specific routine, procedure, or norm wasn’t working well. Brainstorm an alternative and roll it out now that you’re settling back in!

Set Goals & Focus Intentions

Now that you’ve taken the time to reconnect and review the expectations of your shared space, collaborate with students to set goals and focus intentions for the future. This could be for the next trimester, month, or even just the next week. Decide what time frame seems accessible for your set of students.

Goal-setting can also take many forms:

1. Classroom: Reflect on the connecting and review you did. Get input from students regarding what the whole class could achieve.
2. Individual: have each student self-reflect. What did they struggle with? What did they do well that they wish to continue?

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Want to make your goals even more attainable? Identify a long-term goal and break it down into two or three short-term goals. Creating action steps for these short-term goals means you’ve identified a PLAN that will help you achieve them!

Not sure how to focus your reflection? Use the tools I’ve linked below (click the images). The first is a journal set solely focused on reflection and goal-setting and the other two are FREE RESOURCES! The free reflection resources are flexible & editable!

Why it Matters

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While oftentimes a break seems like lost learning time, or a step backwards, it’s still important to carve out this time to reconnect. Sometimes we have to go slow to go fast. This is one of those times.

Going slow now and reconnecting creates trust and confidence in our students, in our classroom space, and in the school environment as a whole.

So whether you snag one of my tools or use your brilliant teacher brain to reconnect in some other way, know that it’s worth it!

Talk soon friends 🫶🏼