HOLIDAY BREAK HERE I COME | last days of school before break!!

[@TheAlexa1983]

When we got back from Thanksgiving break I did a soft start in the morning and I plan on doing that again after this break. Basically I just gave them some options of things they could do on their own or with a partner like drawing or reading and just let them kind of ease into the day. Then I plan on doing a whole group activity like you would do on the first day of school. I plan on taking multiple mins breaks throughout the first day and week to ease all of us back in.

[@madisonleighmaryan]

That’s such a great idea!!

[@TheAlexa1983]

@@madisonleighmaryan it worked REALLY well when we came back from Thanksgiving. Obviously you have expectations and go over them, but they handled it really well. It made for a very calm transition.

[@nmedugno01]

For the hot cocoa I use a crockpot and it works perfectly . I turn the temp down about an hour before. My kids are in pre-k!

[@madisonleighmaryan]

I wish I had a crock pot that’s genius!

[@Casacone]

I just started watching your videos and I love them all! Thank you for showing us the ups and downs of teaching. I am currently student teaching, and your videos just make me happy to start in my own classroom someday!! Have a great week!

[@marshahamilton4765]

I taught 1st grade for 6 years and a teacher friend gave me the best Polar Express hack: put chocolate milk in a slow cooker, and by the time you’re ready to watch the movie, it’s ready and tastes just like hot chocolate!

[@Lori_Gonzales]

Put water in a crock pot on high, then dish out the water and give a spoon candy cane to stir their hot cocoa in. Fun! I bring sprinkles, marshmallows, and whipped cream too. They love it!

[@Gapmom2019]

I’ve used class dojo for the past 7-8 years and I love it. It can be overwhelming at first until you get into a routine that works for you as far as awarding points. The first day of school I introduce dojo by going over our class rules (in my case we are a PBiS school so I tie my points to our school expectations). We first talk about what they can do to earn points and then what they can do to lose points. (You do have the option to keep it all positive though). We make an anchor chart so we can refer to it. I love using the random button a lot. For example, if we are transitioning I will give them a minute to start cleaning up or come to the carpet, whatever we are doing. Then I will start pushing the random button and if that student is ready to learn they get a point. If they are not I just skip them. I usually do it four times per transition. I also use the random button in the hallway, either to choose a mystery walker or kind of the same way I do in the classroom. If their name pops up and they are being quiet in the hall they get a point. Every 25 points they can choose a reward until they get to 100 and then they start over. My rewards go up in “value”. A lot of my rewards don’t cost anything. Some of my popular ones are chrome book sticker, desk pet, positive note home, and special spot for the day. Hope this helps! Just start slow and add things as you are ready. I’m happy to share more of how I use it. I used it for several years in a title school and had to adapt it so differently than how I use it now.

[@madisonleighmaryan]

Thank you so much for these ideas Melissa! I will definitely use them!!

[@jenniferlund9646]

I used class dojo as an incentive for 2 years. I still use it for parent communication and love it for that. I liked class dojo points, but it was very time consuming to be constantly giving points and I’m relieved to not be doing it this year. I liked it better for points when I taught in a co-teaching model, so I didn’t have to give points while I was actively teaching a lesson.

[@brittanylamb8730]

At my school all the teachers and staff use it but a lot of the teacher put the dojo screen with all the class up on the board with a projector as we are packing up and getting ready for dismissal and they add the points to for all the kids who earned them then I couldn’t imagine stopping a lesson just to add points that would be super distracting for the teacher and class I feel

[@andrealynne5328]

Class DOJO is amazing! I don’t know what I would do without it. I also teach 2nd grade and my students can earn individual points for being kind, doing homework, etc. Once they get to 100 points, they get a prize in my treasure chest. I also use it for whole class points if they are good at lunch or specials etc. it’s also great to connect with parents. I use it instead of email and parents get updates directly to their phone. I think you’ll love it!! I’ve used it for the last 3 years and parents love it too. My principal is even on my class so she can message parents etc if she needs to. I hope this helps! Enjoy the rest of break 🥰

[@madisonleighmaryan]

Thanks so much for this Andrea! Great ideas!

[@robintanny3318]

Hot Cocoa- I use my crockpot to heat up a gallon of chocolate milk (from dairy case at any grocery store). SO EASY and my first graders LOVE it!

[@breathing-ds5dy]

I have used class dojo for many things and it's great!

[@DrAcula138]

Cute outfit! Luv the pants.. do you have a link or a prime “store”?!

[@AshleyLorraine133]

I teach kindergarten and we do hot cocoa day every year! I buy a gallon of chocolate milk and take that with my crockpot. Heat it in the crockpot for a few minutes and boom! You’re done. So easy and doesn’t make it too hot :)

[@alexisrrobinson220]

Our whole school watches the Polar Express on the last day (they stream it for us to watch). We bring crockpots for our individual classrooms (if we want) to make the hot cocoa in a big batch for the kids!

[@dhdhshshs7646]

if you do the hot coco you can also put ice in it to cool it down

[@iiheartjas]

in my old school they had a crock pot and put the hot coco in they and used i big spoon to put in i cups and i was in first grade

[@kaylaplaysroblox1427]

Hi Miss. C! I hope you had a great holiday! Your kiddos r the sweetest!

[@madisonleighmaryan]

Thanks so much! I really did!

[@maryc2583]

Get Dunkin hot chocolate in the big cartons and you just have to fill up the cup for them

[@melissacastillo4702]

love your outfits! so cozy and cute definitely my vibe for when i become a teacher 🧘🏼‍♀️

[@madisonleighmaryan]

Thank you Melissa!!

[@monique2222]

Merry Christmas 🎄 Madison

[@johnlopez3996]

When the students return from recess, let them know that they have only a specific amount of time to tattle. Set a timer for 3 minutes or more and that will help them to realize if their tattles are worthwhile. You may also design a poster regarding if something is considered a tattle or a true concern. You may also want to have a won time/lost time chart on your board. When kids finish their work with time to spare, then place that time on the won time side. If kids do not complete work during an agreed upon time, then put that time on the lost time side. You could also list a chart which shows which behaviors will be rewarded with good time and which behaviors will be given lost time. Do this weekly and if there is more won time than lost time, give your students a reward. If there is more lost time than won time, then take the difference of the two and have the students serve that for their quiet time. The students will realize how lost time adds up over a week and hopefully, they will make better choices. Take care of yourself and have a happy New Year.

[@madisonleighmaryan]

Thanks for this John!!

[@johnlopez3996]

@@madisonleighmaryan You know that kids will want to run to you and tattle as soon as you get to the line. Let them know that you will deal with their concerns or tattles once inside the classroom for only a specific amount of time. It does take practice and patience, but the results will be amazing. Oh yes, reward them whenever they enter the classroom quickly and quietly after recess, lunch, and other special sessions.

[@carrinbridgewater7061]

Do you have a link for the pants?

[@lukeellefson6929]

I hope you enjoyed your winter break 💕.

[@colleensedote1901]

If they come in from recess tattling, I always ask them if they told the person who was out with them. I tell them I can’t do anything if I wasn’t out there. Our PE teachers are in charge of them at that time.

[@sierrag5421]

I love class dojo! I’m a first year teacher that started late in the year (November) so I can’t say that class dojo works or is the best thing. But so far I like class dojo, it’s worth a try.

[@Icey_SnowyFlakes]

I love your videos so much Madison

[@katelynmunslow8670]

Merry Christmas

[@stevetodd3456]

My School done that

[@angiemettler8770]

I’m so sad because we only have three days left of our winter break! I’m not ready to go back

[@sirabunyan6395]

How was your thanksgiving break

[@fatemaalghanah1182]

I love your vids you Inspire me ❤️❤️

[@madisonleighmaryan]

Thanks so much! 💖

[@simplybellebelle126]

Another thing that can keep people quiet is guided meditation.

[@addywiz5161]

Hi Madison I hope you had a great Christmas I have a little tip for you when my class was coming back from recess on the Thursday The pour Christmas break they were so chatty and they wouldn’t stop talking that we ended up having to start using your class points but instead we would do it if they made a noise they would have to answer a question and if they got that question correct they could go back into the game and every 10 minutes and they were quiet they would get one class point and we would do that for about 30 minutes while we are doing silent reading by the way you have inspired me to be such a great teacher and I love your channel

[@rosemarywinters90daysnov97]

Merry Christmas 🎄🎅☃️

[@madisonleighmaryan]

Merry Christmas!!

[@elleryrose436]

I can’t wait to become a teacher you are the best! Also do you have a Conduct card. We had this when I was little in school. It is we’re everyone starts out with a green card and if someone is talking while you are talking then the kid flips their card over to yellow and if they are still not Listening then they flip their card to red and they get in trouble like a email home or 5 minutes of silence! Love you! ❤️✨💕

[@loribrown5235]

One thing I've been doing is saving all of my 1 dollar bills. And or 5's. They add up fast!!! I ended up saving over 500 dollars in ones.

[@aidenwest4616]

Hello, heavy sleeper here! I love your hair. And I absolutely love, love, love..Polar Express!

[@madisonleighmaryan]

Thanks so much Aiden!!

[@brittanyglenn3227]

That was the sneakiest segue into a sponsor I have ever seen. Well done lol!

[@kamleon1975]

Is teaching a lifetime career for you or do you plan on moving to another career field later on??

[@notguestlol2484]

How do you keep up you seem so nice and pretty

[@ClaudiaHernandez-vu3zh]

You didn't get a Christmas Break?

[@aidenwest4616]

She recorded it the week before Christmas and posted the week of Christmas.

[@lynaepetersen8709]

You should do hot chocolate. 🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫

[@maisy256]

I just gave them juice

[@sophiaborowski715]

you had to go to school on christmas eve!!!!!

[@loribrown5235]

It reminds me of the show Silent Library on MTV. They do things that try to make them laugh, but they have to be silent. Whoever laughs first loses.

[@kevinreadel8868]

Do I want to be a chef or a teacher went I grow up -Josephine

[@kinsleyjordan5021]

hi big fan