Play a game of freeze dance.<\/strong> Just throw on some tunes like Color Freeze Dance<\/a> or any of these popular Kidz Bop<\/a> songs.<\/p>\r\n Play a tried-and-true movement game<\/strong> like musical chairs or charades.<\/p>\r\n Try a site like GoNoodle<\/a><\/strong> for some great interactive movement videos you can do as a class.<\/p>\r\n Roll these fitness dice<\/a><\/strong> and have kids try each fitness movement that comes up.<\/p>\r\n Via Elementary Matters<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n Get in a virtual airplane and travel to the warmth of Mexico or a tropical island! Try out a virtual field trip site like this one from Discovery Education<\/a> to take a virtual tour and learn fun facts about your destination. Have students bring in beach towels so you can all sit on the beach and discuss the different creatures you might see or activities you might participate in while on your trip. This is a great opportunity to incorporate geography, science, and different ecosystems you may already be studying. Via ABC News<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n As teachers, you probably have your days scheduled down to the minute, but to liven things up, try flipping science to the morning, reading to the afternoon, etc. Everyone will welcome the change of pace (including you). Via <\/em>Elementary Matters<\/em><\/a><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n If you notice students are particularly sleepy or lacking in focus, ask a volunteer to come to the front of the class to demonstrate a new concept, or ask a student during a video lesson. Students will perk right up at the sight of one of their peers being the “expert.” <\/em><\/a><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n The winter may be dull and dreary, but your classroom doesn\u2019t have to be. To turn your teaching space into one that wakes you up and makes you feel good, try brightening up a boring wall with some colorful paper to showcase your students\u2019 artwork. All you need is:<\/p>\r\n Construction paper<\/a><\/p>\r\n Hot glue<\/a><\/p>\r\n Hot glue gun<\/a><\/p>\r\n Clothespins<\/a><\/p>\r\n Lamination machine<\/a><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n Or, create a rainbow reading corner like this one by grabbing the following supplies:<\/p>\r\n Rainbow pattern rug<\/a><\/p>\r\n Rainbow crepe paper streamers<\/a><\/p>\r\n Rainbow bulletin board letters<\/a><\/p>\r\n Colorful throw pillows<\/a><\/p>\r\n Via <\/em>Mind Sparks<\/em><\/a><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n It\u2019s no secret that helping others makes people feel good, and with Valentine\u2019s Day and Random Acts of Kindness Day both falling in February, it\u2019s a great month to bring some warm fuzzies into your classroom. Here are some simple activities that promote kindness:<\/p>\r\n Have students write thank-you notes<\/strong> to the school custodians, and keep the classroom extra clean to make their jobs easier. Via <\/em>The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation<\/em><\/a><\/p>\r\n Make a kindness chain.<\/strong> Take small strips of paper and have students write down an act of kindness they\u2019ve witnessed recently, then link together all the strips. Put up the paper chain in the classroom, and whenever students experience a kind act, they can add another link to the chain. Try to make the chain go all the way around the room! Via <\/em>Sugar, Spice and Glitter<\/em><\/a> If you can’t make the chain due to being physically apart, modify the activity by having students write down a way of being kind they’ve witnessed or hope to do themselves.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n For Valentine\u2019s Day, have kids write a kind note to each other,<\/strong> then take it one step further by decorating valentines for patients at your local children\u2019s hospital or nursing home. Via <\/em>The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation<\/em><\/a><\/p>\r\n Have students deliver a goody bag of treats to every school bus driver<\/strong> at the end of the school day. Via <\/em>The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation<\/em><\/a><\/p>\r\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n Music has been used since the beginning of time to lift people\u2019s spirits and make gatherings more fun, so why not use it in your classroom for the same reason? You can play upbeat music for kids when they arrive at school, then switch to slower classical tunes to help them focus when it\u2019s time to work. No matter what genre you choose, music is one of the simplest ways to make the day more enjoyable. Via Elementary Matters<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n Traditional desks can be uncomfortable and make some kids antsy. Alternate seating options allow for more freedom of movement and give students a fresh classroom perspective. Here are some different seating options to try:<\/p>\r\n Stabili-T-Stools<\/a><\/p>\r\n Wobble stools<\/a><\/p>\r\n Wobble cushions<\/a><\/p>\r\n Bean bag chairs<\/a><\/p>\r\n Stay-N-Play balance balls<\/a><\/p>\r\n Inflatable chairs<\/a><\/p>\r\n Lap trays<\/a><\/p>\r\n Desk cycle<\/a><\/p>\r\n Via <\/em>The Wright Nook<\/em><\/a><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n Whenever possible, give students the chance to bundle up and get outside the classroom. Whether for recess or for a special lesson, breathing in the fresh air can often revive sleepy kids and improve their moods. Here are some lessons that incorporate the winter elements:<\/p>\r\n Melting magic<\/a>: Collect some snow and ice for a hands-on lesson about chemistry and molecular structure. Via STEAM Powered Families<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n Snowball launchers<\/a>: Explore design and physics by having students create snowball launchers with basic supplies you have around your home or classroom. Then get outside to test your creations! Via Little Bins for Little Hands<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n Snow volcanoes<\/a>: Check out this chemical reaction while spending time out in the snow. Via Science Sparks<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n Fish for ice<\/a>: Find out why salt melts ice (and test it out with some of the real stuff outside). Via Science Kiddo<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n It doesn\u2019t take much to add some excitement to a regular old school day. Plan a fun activity that kids can \u201cearn\u201d through hard work or good behavior\u2014it can be super simple or more elaborate depending on how much you time you want to spend. Via <\/em>Elementary Matters<\/em><\/a><\/p>\r\n Make snow ice cream:<\/strong> This snow ice cream recipe<\/a> is super easy and loads of fun. Try it out the next time there\u2019s a good amount of fresh snow on the playground (it\u2019s a great excuse to get outside, too!). Via <\/em>Babies to Bookworms<\/em><\/a><\/p>\r\n Host your own <\/strong>winter Olympics trivia game show<\/strong><\/a>:<\/strong> Many students are interested in the Winter Olympic Games, so why not hold your own Olympics trivia game in the classroom, complete with a moderator, teams, and a grand prize for the winners? Via We Are Teachers<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n Plan a pajama day: <\/strong>Have kids wear their PJs to school and serve hot cocoa during story time.<\/p>\r\n Turn one of the <\/strong>many holidays<\/strong> in February<\/strong> into a special lesson or mini-party that you and your students can look forward to:<\/p>\r\n 100th<\/sup> day of school<\/a> (varies)<\/p>\r\n Groundhog Day, Feb. 2<\/p>\r\n Valentine\u2019s Day<\/a>, Feb. 14<\/p>\r\n Presidents Day, Feb. 17<\/p>\r\n Random Acts of Kindness Day<\/a>, Feb. 17<\/p>\r\n Mardi Gras, Feb. 25<\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.teacherlists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Fitness_Dice_1_50-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\r\n2. Take a virtual trip to somewhere new (and warmer)<\/h2>\r\n
3. Mix up your classroom routine<\/h2>\r\n
4. Allow students to teach a lesson<\/h2>\r\n
5. Brighten up your classroom (or background)<\/h2>\r\n
![\"Wall](\"https:\/\/www.teacherlists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/display-wall-1.jpg\")
<\/em><\/a><\/p>\r\n![\"Read](\"https:\/\/www.teacherlists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Rainbow_Classroom16_grande_400x400.jpg\")
<\/em><\/a><\/p>\r\n6. Take part in a class project that helps others<\/h2>\r\n
<\/em><\/p>\r\n![\"Paper](\"https:\/\/www.teacherlists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/kindness_chain_1_35.png\")
<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n\u00a07<\/em>. Turn on some music<\/h2>\r\n
8. Try alternate seating options<\/h2>\r\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.teacherlists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/wobble-stool.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\r\n9. Embrace the cold and spend some time outdoors<\/h2>\r\n
![\"3](\"https:\/\/www.teacherlists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Snow-Ice-Simple-Science-2.jpg\")
<\/em><\/a><\/p>\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.teacherlists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/snowball-launcher-e1581628013332.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\r\n![\"snow](\"https:\/\/www.teacherlists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/snow-volcaono.jpg\")
<\/em><\/a><\/p>\r\n10. Plan a special activity<\/h2>\r\n
![\"students](\"https:\/\/www.teacherlists.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/mardiGrasKids.jpg\")
<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\r\n