New Year Fun and a Freebie

HAPPY 2016 EVERYONE

I am having such a great time in chilly freezing Colorado celebrating the new year with my hubby and best friends! One of my friends lives in Colorado so we decided we'd all come celebrate with her and have an adventure in Breckenridge, CO. Believe me, this -10 degrees weather is a real adventure for this SoCal girl that gets cold when it's 50 degrees back home.  

Don't be fooled by the bright and sunny picture... there is no warmth. The only way I have been surviving is with layers... scarfs, hats, gloves, thermals and my giant jacket!

Here is a view from the cabin we are staying in!

                          

Yup...snow as far as the eye can see!

No matter how cold it gets though, we are having an amazing time. Colorado is beautiful.  I can't get over how beautiful everything looks covered in snow. Plus, I'm really enjoying the time with my friends. It's sad to think that in only a few days, I'll be heading back to school.

If we must head back to school, let's have some fun!

Being the first of the year, is a great time to think about what you want to do in the coming year. In 2016,  I want to focus on writing more with the students at my school. As an instructional coach, I get to work with different grade levels. The one thing all grade levels have in common is the rigor of writing expectations. Our students need to be able to explain their thinking whether they are close reading, stating their opinion or or solving a math problem.

I created a FREEBIE for all of you to use when you head back to school this year! Each student fills in their banner with one resolution for the coming year. Then, tie up all the banners to make a long classroom banner.

This freebie is part of a larger product that will get your students writing their reflections for 2015 and resolutions for 2016. It all seems so sophisticated but I've included vocabulary cards that help you add to what they know about reflecting and goal setting.

Here are just 2 examples of the brainstorming sheets that I've provided. The reflections are kid friendly and relevant to what their year might have been.  The resolutions are also kid friendly and simple goals that a students might make.

                         

The unit also comes with writing paper for the students to write and the chance to make a their own New Years hat!

Who doesn't love that?!  Here is a sample that I made.

On each side of the hat the students will get to write one reflection and one resolution.

I suggested using sentence strips for the band that goes around their head. Make sure when you staple the headband that you staple from the inside out. That way, students won't get stabbed with the staple. (I learned that the hard way.)

Make sure to check out my New Year Reflections and Resolutions Writing unit.  The best part is that I will update this every year! Buy it this year and use it every year after.

(Click on the image to see it in my store.)

I wish you all a new year filled with joy, love, fun and blessings!