Six Ways to Use Seasonal and Holiday Printables

Seasonal and holiday printables are a real time saver! 

Plus, they bring valuable skills practice. 

Oh yes, and the children LOVE them!

Here are 6 ways I have used these in my classroom:

1.  Leave for a substitute teacher.

This is why I originally created seasonal printables. If I know I'm going to be out, I will make packets for my substitute to use for each of the subject areas. It's easy to differentiate both up and down. 

• For an extra challenge, write in an extra challenge. (Example: in math, you can ask these students to write story problems with 2-digit numbers, then solve them!) 
• To differentiate for more challenged students: give them fewer pages, or circle only some of the items for them to complete. (This is a trick I use all the time for both classwork and for homework. They know to only do the problems I have circled. If they finish early, they can attempt the other ones, but there's no "have to!" I am strategic when I circle the "have to")

2. Leave for when someone has to cover your class for a meeting.

You know those days: You'll have to leave your classroom with someone else. You don't want to leave complicated directions, especially if you don't even know who will be covering your class. But you want to leave meaningful skills practice that your students will enjoy. 

3. Use on a day you just don't have the time to prepare.

We all know these days as well! Perhaps you were at school late the night before with parent conferences. Perhaps you've put in lots of hours preparing report cards. Maybe your child was up sick last night. Maybe you were up sick last night. There are a million reasons for running out of time to plan ahead. Seasonal printables to the rescue! Kids love them, and they'll make your life so much easier!

4. Use for independent practice.

Sometimes they just need something quiet to work on while you're working with reading or math groups. Seasonal printables will give them extra practice with their literacy and/ or math skills while letting them have a little fun. They really do enjoy the work a bit more if it has an element of fun!

5. Use for guided practice.

Your lower-abled students don't want to miss out on the fun of these seasonal pages! I've been known to use some of these printables during reading and/ or math groups for skills that are just a little beyond the abilities of my cherubs. (It might be the same thing some of the others are working on independently!) With a little bit of help, they'll feel a great sense of pride!

6. Use as partner work.

There are a lot of ways to partner up the students and a lot of good reasons to do this! Sometimes the partners would be relatively equal in abilities. This is a great way to get them talking! Yes, sometimes that's a good thing, isn't it? When they're talking through how they get their answers, that discussion internalizes learning! That's a good thing!

Sometimes it's ok to partner a stronger student with a weaker student, but this must be done very carefully. There is never a reason for a student to feel inferior to another. But with the right combination of students, some great conversations could happen, and they can both could learn from each other!

Here is a collection of Printables that could help you through the whole year: No Prep Activities and Worksheets for the Whole Year

Looking for some Science and Social Studies Printables? Try these! Science and Social Studies Activities for the Year!

What are your ideas for using seasonal and holiday printables?

Introverts vs Extroverts in the Classroom

 In the mid 1980s I took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test and found out I was an ISFJ.

That stands for: Introverted/ Sensing/ Feeling/ Judging. 

That's my personality type. It took me a while, but after a lot of research, I grew to understand and appreciate what it all means, and who I am.

The part I struggled with the most? The introverted part. I guess I just didn't understand what an introvert is. I knew I enjoyed my time with people, so I must be an extrovert, right?

Then I realized I was stuck on myths and didn't quite understand what those words meant.  

 

Here Are Some MYTHS About Introverts:

• Introverts are shy.
• Introverts want to be alone.
• Introverts are anti-social.
• Introverts are quiet.
  
• Introverts don't take risks.
• Introverts don't like fun.
• Introverts are hard to get to know.
  

Here Are Some MYTHS About Extroverts:

(Note: Sometimes this is spelled extravert. Either spelling is acceptable.)

• Extroverts love to talk.
• Extroverts are happier than introverts.
• Extroverts are more confident.
• Extroverts don't listen.
  
• Extroverts are loud.
• Extroverts are "attention hogs."
  
• Extroverts are the "life of the party."
  
• Extroverts don't experience anxiety.
  
• Extroverts never need "alone time" 
• Extroverts are easy to get to know 

There is some truth to most of these statements about introverts and extroverts, but there is a whole lot more to these stories!

 

Here Are Some TRUTHS About Introverts:

• Introverts are quickly drained by social interaction.
• Introverts enjoy alone time.
  
• Introverts are good listeners.
  
• Introverts are reflective.
• Introverts are observers.
  
• Introverts prefer small groups or one-on-one to large groups 
• Introverts prefer to think things through before talking or acting.
  
• Introverts take longer to make decisions.
• Introverts like time with friends, but prefer to do it on own terms.
  
• Introverts experience anxiety about making phone calls.
  
• Introverts prefer to write rather than talk.
  
• Introverts have difficulty with multitasking and adjusting to a constantly changing environment.
• Introverts need quiet to concentrate.
  
• Introverts can be perceived as "stand-offish" or even "snobby,"
  
• Introverts don't like being the center of attention, but don't want to be ignored.

Here Are Some TRUTHS About Extroverts

• Extroverts don't mind being the center of attention, and often love it.
• Extroverts take well to networking.
  
• Extroverts show feelings easily.
• Extroverts love to talk.
  
• Extroverts prefer to talk through problems.
• Extroverts make quick decisions.
• Extroverts prefer to work with background noise.
  
• Extroverts get bored when alone for long periods.
  
• Extroverts acts before thinking.
• Extroverts feel energized and inspired by socializing.
  

 Now Here's One BIG Truth About Introverts and Extroverts:

 

It's a scale! No one is completely introverted or completely extroverted!

We all draw from both sides!

Sometimes people use the term "ambiverts" for people who fall near the middle of the scale. I prefer not to use that term because pretty much everyone shows indicators of both preferences at some point. However, most people lean more toward one preference or the other.

Here's a quote from THIS article that explains it well:

"Extroversion and introversion refer to where people receive energy from. Extroverts are energized by socializing in larger groups of people, having many friends, instead of a few intimate ones while introverts are energized by spending time alone or with a smaller group of friends

The big takeaway: It’s not how you act but what situations you thrive in and get energy from." 

 

Well-Known Introverts

• Bill Gates
• Mark Zuckerberg
• J.K. Rowling
• Abraham Lincoln
• Meryl Streep
• Steven Spielberg
  
• Emma Watson
• Mahatma Gandhi
• Elton John
• Lady Gaga
• Audrey Hepburn
• Albert Einstein
• Eleanor Roosevelt

 Well-Known Extroverts

• Oprah
• Tom Hanks
• Steve Jobs
• Bill Clinton
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Jim Carrey
• Madonna
• Winston Churchill
  
• Ben Franklin
  
• Beyonce 
  

 

Believe it or not, I recently read this information (in THIS article) that shows a significant difference in how brains react.

"Introvert brains react differently to dopamine than extrovert brains do. That's a chemical that turns on the reward- and pleasure-seeking part of your brain. Introverts and extroverts have the same amount of the chemical, but extrovert brains get an excited buzz from their reward center. Introverts, on the other hand, tend to just feel run-down by it."

I've been studying this stuff since the 80s, and this really explains WHY we have these personality differences! We're chemically different!

I suspect by now you've thought about which side of the scale you fall upon, as well as your students. One thing to be careful about: when introverts are comfortable with someone, they'll become quite chatty! Don't let that lead you to believe they're extroverted! (Many people have confused me with being an extrovert because I become passionate about certain things, like brain research, and won't stop talking about it!) 

There are plenty of introverts as well as extroverts in your classroom. (Studies show it's close to 50-50.) It's impossible to cater to all their needs, all the time. (Nor is it in their best interest.) But here are some suggestions for supporting each preference and helping them be successful in your classroom.

 

Suggestions to Support the Introverts in Your Classroom:

• Make sure there are "quiet" times in your classroom.
• Give them time to think before they are expected to talk.
• Know their interests and passions and encourage these.
• Be sure to have one-on-one time with these students.
• Post a daily schedule and stick to a routine so they'll know what's coming up.
• Do "Reader's Theater" or a class play. (Believe it or not, many introverts shine with these genres!)
  
• Make sure there are places where they can be by themselves. (nooks and crannies)
• Help them work to develop friendships. (This is very difficult for introverts!)
  
• Use notes or email for communication.
• Remember, introverts get lonely, too! Make sure they have interactions with others and an opportunity to bond with classmates. Just keep it on a small scale!
  

 

Suggestions to Support the Extroverts in Your Classroom:

In general, most classrooms are designed for extroverts. (Just look at the amount of students in the room!)

• Give them plenty of opportunities to talk.
• Let them "call out" sometimes, without require raising hands.
• Give choices: work alone, with a partner, with a group.
  
• Give choices: oral report, written report.
• Allow for group discussions on what they're learning and books they've read.
• Be flexible with the schedule.
  
• Embrace them. 

 

 

Suggestions to Support the All Students in Your Classroom:

• Share information about introversion and extroversion and help them understand who they are. Make sure they know they are an important part of the classroom! (Make sure there are plenty of reminders that one way isn't better than the other way!)
  
• Include Morning Meeting in your day, and make it clear that this is a safe place.
• Be a role model, verbalizing your respect for the differences in students. Show that you celebrate those differences. 
• When setting up your classroom, include areas for large groups, small groups, and individuals. Let children use them all.
  
• Give choices: work alone, with a partner, with a group.
  
• Give choices: oral report, written report.
• Give choices: read with a partner, read alone. 
• Touch base with all students daily, whether it be a group conversation, a one-on-one conversation, or just a quick not. They all need you.
  
• Don't hesitate to challenge them by going out of their comfort zone, but only a bit. (We don't want to traumatize them!)
  
• Embrace them for who they are. Celebrate who they are. Enjoy who they are. 
  

Years ago, I did a series of posts about the Myers-Briggs Personality Types, which I learned about during my Masters program. Here's a post about Introversion and Extroversion:

Myers-Briggs Part 2: How Do You Find Your Energy?

 

When I grew to truly understand what an introvert is, I grew to be proud of who I am. Unfortunately, this didn't happen until I was in my 30s. Hopefully, our children will learn who they are and appreciate themselves at a much younger age!

 

 

The Final Lesson:

All types need each other! 

 

Introverts become artists, writers, architects, librarians, psychologists, scientists, chefs, ITs, journalists, and accountants. 

 

Extroverts become managers, real estate agents, lawyers, politicians, salespeople, managers, event planners, nurses, life coaches, and human relations specialists.

Don't we need ALL these people? Of course, since most people fall closer to the middle of both preferences, our children really can be anything they want to be!

And I've known many, many teachers who fall under both preferences who are highly successful!