In this blog post, I share 5 strategies to boost engagement and not just survive but thrive in the classroom in December.
Engagement in December:
A Teacher’s Survival Guide
Ah, December—the month where excitement and exhaustion collide like two overzealous reindeer on a foggy night. Between the end-of-semester crunch, unpredictable schedules, and the promise of a much-needed break, keeping students engaged feels like herding cats through a maze. But don’t despair! With a little creativity and a lot of patience, you can turn this challenging month into a time of meaningful learning and connection.
Why focus on engagement now? Because when students are actively engaged, they’re more likely to stay on task, participate positively, and continue growing academically—even as visions of vacation dance in their heads. And when engagement is high, your workload feels lighter, and classroom management gets easier (or at least more manageable).
Before I dive into strategies I want to take a minute as a coach to challenge your thinking a bit. Make sure to be mindful of inclusivity in your classroom as you plan anything. Know your audience to be able to keep themes, topics, tasks, content, etc. inclusive of those who don’t celebrate holidays, have sensitive situations outside of school, etc.
Here are five strategies to keep students engaged in December and set the stage for a strong finish to the year:
1. Focus on Projects and Creativity
If the energy is high, channel it into something purposeful. December is a great time for hands-on, project-based learning. Think end-of-unit projects, student-led inquiry activities, or collaborative presentations. Whether students are creating public service announcements, designing models, or analyzing data, giving them ownership over their learning will keep their minds focused and their hands busy.
Idea Share: I loved to bring in STEAM Challenges that tied in mathematical concepts to designing things like graham cracker houses or villages or holiday shopping on a budget.
2. Tie Lessons to Relevant Themes
Find ways to connect your content to what’s happening in students’ lives right now—end-of-year reflections, current events, or even the changing seasons. For example, analyze trends from the year in math or science, explore how cultural traditions shape history, or write persuasive letters about a topic they’re passionate about. When students see the relevance of their learning, they’re more likely to stay engaged.
Idea Share: When teaching upper elementary and middle school, my learners were old enough to be able to understand and learn about cultural differences and so holiday around the world were a great theme. I also loved to bring in Rudolfo Anaya’s New Mexican Christmas classic book “The Farolitos of Christmas” to bring in local tradition and that our school was named after Mr. Anaya.
3. Build a Countdown of Learning Moments
Let’s be honest: everyone’s counting down to the break. Why not make it a part of your classroom routine? Create a countdown with daily surprises tied to learning goals—like educational games, group challenges, or “mystery questions” to solve together. This gives students something to anticipate and keeps the energy focused on learning, not distractions.
Idea Share: If you have students who maybe have some challenging home circumstances or
just don’t do well with the change to their routine that break will provide you can use this to help them prepare for the break but keeping things light and as a celebration. One thing that my wife does each year in her 1st grade classroom is she wraps up books each day that they are able to unwrap for a special story along with an activity that goes with it so it’s a little surprise each day tied to the countdown.
4. Incorporate Movement and Collaboration
When students are bursting with energy, the worst thing you can do is keep them glued to their seats. Incorporate activities that allow them to move, like gallery walks, scavenger hunts, or cooperative group tasks. Whether they’re brainstorming ideas, working on a STEM challenge, or solving puzzles together, movement and collaboration help focus their energy and build community.
Idea Share: Cooperative Learning strategies have always been a staple in my classroom and are key to getting through these weeks. I would go heavy on structures like Mix-Pair-Share that got learners up and out of their seats during these weeks leading up to break.
5. Add Reflection and SEL Opportunities
December can be a joyful time, but it’s also a period of stress or challenge for some students. Incorporate moments for social-emotional learning and reflection to help them navigate their emotions and stay connected to their peers. Gratitude journals, mindfulness activities, or group discussions about personal accomplishments can balance high energy with meaningful introspection.
Idea Share: I loved bringing journaling in during the days leading up to break because when we returned from Winter Break and we would do our New Year Kick Off that included things centered on starting anew and vision they would have these to use for reflection and a jumping off point. For example, we often created Vision Boards upon returning from break that paired with our first writing prompt of the new semester/year.
Closing Thoughts (and a Pep Talk)
December is the final stretch of the year, and it’s not always easy. But by leaning into the energy of the moment, focusing on engagement, and keeping your sense of humor intact, you can guide your students (and yourself) to the finish line. Remember, this month isn’t just about surviving—it’s about thriving in the chaos and reminding students why learning matters.
So take a deep breath, grab your coffee, and embrace the beautiful, messy whirlwind that is December. You’ve got this!
Are you planning PD for the new year? I’ve still got some dates available in the Spring Semester - I’d love to provide some learning on Cooperative Learning and Active Student Engagement for you and your team. Schedule a FREE Discovery Call with me today!