As we approach the holiday season, the time between Thanksgiving and winter break can often feel both exciting and chaotic. To help navigate this busy period, we are dedicating these weeks to focusing on strategies that bring structure and calm to our classrooms.

Last week, we explored two key strategies for managing the inevitable schedule changes that can disrupt our students' routines: preparing for changes and using power cards to teach coping skills for handling unexpected or stressful changes. If you missed last week's Tuesday Tips & Tricks, you can find it under Past Tuesday Tips & Tricks.

This week, we’ll shift our focus to preparing for and executing a successful classroom party—a common tradition before winter break. These celebrations are a wonderful opportunity to honor the hard work of the first half of the year and to send students into the break on a positive note. However, without structure, classroom parties can easily spiral into chaos, leaving everyone feeling overwhelmed rather than celebrated.

When I first started teaching, I dreaded classroom parties. While they were fun to plan and full of excitement, the actual day often ended in meltdowns--for students and staff! I realized that I wasn’t providing enough structure for what is, by nature, a highly stimulating and unpredictable event. Over time, I learned strategies that turned these overwhelming days into truly enjoyable celebrations.

Today, I’ll share the approaches that helped me transform classroom parties into organized, joyful events that lived up to their promise. Let’s dive in!

Structuring classroom parties is essential, as they tend to be highly stimulating, with excitement and emotions running high. One way to provide structure is by planning 3–4 activities and incorporating them into your center rotations. This approach allows you to maintain the familiar framework of centers, with only the activities changing—not the overall schedule.

Another effective way to add structure is to create a classroom party schedule and ensure that each student’s individual schedule reflects the party timeline. This helps students anticipate the day’s events and stay engaged. In the next section, you’ll find an example of a classroom party schedule and a corresponding individual student schedule.

A final tip for structuring a successful party is to provide detailed instructions and visuals for each planned activity. Clear guidance helps students know what to do and encourages participation.

Stay tuned for next week’s newsletter, where we’ll explore how to structure crafts in a way that fosters student independence!

In addition to providing plenty of structure to classroom parties, I also dedicated the week leading up to the event to prime students for the celebration. During our morning meeting, we would discuss the party as part of reviewing the schedule change, helping students prepare for what to expect.

Priming is a simple yet incredibly effective strategy. Its purpose is to prepare students for an upcoming event, increasing their chances of success by reducing uncertainty and anxiety. We all use priming! I use priming in my own life all the time! For example, before dining at a new restaurant, I look up the menu. When staying at a new hotel, I research nearby restaurants. If I’m traveling, I even scout out all the food options at the airport terminal (noticing a theme here?). Gathering details ahead of time helps me feel more prepared and less anxious—and our students benefit from the same approach!

Here are the steps for priming:

1. Identify the upcoming event or transition that might be challenging for your student.
2. Deliver the "prime" daily leading up to the event or a few minutes before the transition (I usually start priming at the beginning of the week for a big event).
3. Provide a reminder right before the transition or event to reinforce the preparation.

The way you prime depends on the transition or event. For example: If priming for a transition to a new activity, it might sound like: "In 5 minutes, we’ll move to ____." Just before the transition: "In 1 minute, we’ll go to ____." This simple strategy can have a significant impact!

When preparing for larger events, like a field trip, assembly, or classroom party, the prime includes more detail. Here’s how I would use priming to prepare for a class party:

Example: Priming for a Classroom Party

Step 1: Identify the Event

Let’s say we have a classroom party on December 20th. I’d start priming during morning meetings beginning Monday, December 16th.

Step 2: Provide Daily Details Leading Up to the Event

During morning meetings, we would discuss the party schedule. For example:

"On Friday, we’ll have a class party during our last center rotation! In the blue center, we’ll make cards for our friends and family. In the red center, we’ll decorate reindeer cookies. And in the green center, we’ll create a snowman sensory bottle. After centers, we’ll have a break. Then, we’ll make hot chocolate as a group and enjoy our cookies!"

While describing the event, I would use visual supports, such as a schedule for the day. If the party is in the afternoon, I’d show the entire afternoon schedule to highlight what will remain the same and what will be different. To reinforce the information, use the same party visual introduced earlier when preparing students for the schedule change. This consistency helps students connect prior discussions with the day’s activities, making the transition smoother.

Check out the example below to see how visuals can support this process!

Step 3a: Prime on the Day of the Party

On the day of the party, deliver the prime during the morning meeting. Walk through the plan for the day, emphasizing any changes to the usual schedule. Make sure students’ individual schedules reflect these changes to provide clarity and reduce uncertainty. For example, you might say:

"Today is the big day! During our last center rotation, we’ll have our class party. Remember, at the blue center, we’ll make cards for friends and family. At the red center, we’ll decorate reindeer cookies. And at the green center, we’ll make a snowman sensory bottle. After our centers, we’ll take a break, then come back together to make hot chocolate and enjoy our cookies!"

Again, use a visual schedule to reinforce the changes. If the party takes place in the afternoon, show the adjusted afternoon schedule, highlighting which parts of the routine will remain the same and where the party fits in.

Check out the example below for how to incorporate these changes into their individual schedules!

Step 3b: Right Before the Party: Whole Group Preparation

Before the party begins, gather your students for a whole group meeting. This is a great time to:

1. Review the afternoon schedule once more, reinforcing what will remain the same and what will be different.
2. Provide a brief preview of the new activities so students know what to expect at each center.
3. Discuss center expectations to ensure everyone understands how to engage with each activity appropriately and respectfully.

This quick check-in helps set a positive tone for the event and ensures students feel prepared and confident heading into the party.

Below is an example of a preview slide you can use to introduce a new activity to your students. For instance, if you plan to make reindeer cookies as part of your classroom party, this slide could include:

• A visual of the finished reindeer cookie.
• Simple, step-by-step instructions to guide the activity.

If you’d like to try making reindeer cookies in your classroom, I’ve included a step-by-step printable instructions in the Resources section. This activity can be done as part of a center rotation or with the whole group!

Check out the I'm Going Places unit in Themes First!, which includes original songs, books, and activities that support students’ skill development and generalization with content that’s fun, accessible, and theme-based. These monthly units now include an expanded Social Studies suite, containing fun, theme-related activities that reinforce cultural engagement. Included in all Themes First! units are lessons, activities, and worksheets for group and independent work at a wide range of levels.

The next Themes First! release, Winter Sports, is ready to prep!

💡Print all the activities you plan to use for the upcoming month as soon as they become available. Put printed activities in a "prep" area equipped with a laminator, file folders, Velcro, labels, and baggies. If you have a large laminator, laminate all the activities at once! When you and your team have a few minutes to spare, laminate, cut, and Velcro. It helps to organize activities in trays by "Needs to be Prepped" and "Finished." Don't forget to teach your team how to prep the activities and to model this new expectation. Check out the How to Prep a Month-Long Themes First! Unit below.

Classroom Routines

Introduction

Teaching Routines

Classroom Slide Deck

Arrival Routine

Check Schedule Routine

Expectations

Resources for the New Year Series

STAR Media Center Updates

Caregiver Survey

Home-School Communication

Reset Checklist Visuals

2023-2024 Tuesday Tips & Tricks Newsletters

Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns via email or phone. I'm also available to chat via Zoom Mondays from 7:30-8:00 AM and 3:00-3:30 PM. If these times do not work for your schedule, please email me and we will find a time that will work for both of us.

Use the link below to ask questions about this week's Tuesday Tips 'N' Tricks and/or give suggestions on future topics.

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