Winter Break Writeups

As winter break approaches, teachers meet it with mixed emotions. The time off does wonders for you, but when your students come back hyped up on holiday treats—and their concentration completely derailed—it sometimes makes you wonder what happened.

Deter their mental meltdowns with six fun assignments designed to keep student literacy skills fresh over the break.

• Keep a holiday diary. Even if they just write one sentence a day about what they did, this will get them spelling words and composing sentences, and they’ll have the memories on record.
• Make a traditions list. Have them keep track of everything they do every year—or things they wish they’d do again next year.
• Read to a grandparent, younger sibling, or someone who could use the holiday cheer. Not only will they feel good for helping someone else but they’ll get good practice and probably some encouragement too.
• Choose books to read from a class list. When you give your students a list of books to read over the holidays, they may not read them all, but at least they’ll have an idea of where to go when they’re in the mood. Check out the Children's Choice books here.
• Complete a reading journal. Give them a fill in the blank printout, with prompts like, When I first saw the cover, I thought this book was about ___ and My favorite part was ___.
• Make up a carol. As they combine rhythm and melody, they may actually be humming when they write the lyrics down.

Four Months for Lizdalys

In September of this year, five-year-old Lizdalys Santiago of Puerto Rico entered Jackson Elementary feeling scared and alone. A recent immigrant to Mississippi, Lizdalys didn’t know any English or anyone’s name. With so many new faces and customs, the only thing she was sure of was that she was far from home.

After only four short months of using Imagine Learning English, Lizdalys has undergone a dramatic transformation. She not only can participate in class but now uses her newly acquired English skills to translate for another young girl who also recently emigrated from Puerto Rico. Though this fellow classmate doesn't yet speak any English, she's not alone. Lizdalys is by her side to show her the ropes and give her hope of what is to come. To watch a video on this remarkable story, click here.