5 Day Before Winter Break Activities for Middle School

Is there any tired like “teacher the day before winter break” tired? Students eagerly anticipate escaping school, making it harder to keep them focused on academic tasks. Which is why I like to incorporate math in a sneaky way using fun holiday-themed activities! In this blog post, I’m sharing some fun activities that you can do the last week of school before leaving for winter break. These winter break activities are the perfect way to bridge learning and fun!

If you’re ready for a closer look at five engaging activities for middle school students that will make your countdown to Christmas break both memorable and manageable, keep reading!

1. Countdown to Winter Break SEL Prompts

The days leading up to the holidays can be hectic, but this countdown will make a little easier! Plus, it will give you a good 5-10 minutes to get your life together at the beginning of class. These 23 journal prompts are an easy way to help students reflect on the year. These prompts encourage goal setting, gratitude, and connections.

Here’s how to incorporate them:

• Daily Digital Journals: Give students a new prompt each day to reflect on topics like their favorite family traditions, different books they’ve read, or a goal they’d like to achieve in the new year. Students answer each prompt in Google Slides to create a sort of digital journal.
• Class Discussions: Use prompts to spark meaningful conversations during morning meetings or small groups.

This activity is perfect for middle school students and high school, and can be adapted for elementary students!

2. Escape the Classroom Area and Perimeter Escape Room

Who doesn’t love a fun game? This escape room challenges students to solve problems related to area and perimeter as they “escape” the classroom and start their break! The escape room includes area and circumference of circles, using the Pythagorean Theorem, area of composite shapes, along with area and perimeter word problems.

Why it works:

• It’s a fun way to incorporate critical thinking.
• It works well with small groups or pairs.
• Students stay engaged while practicing essential math concepts.
• It is NO PREP!!! Just assign in Google Forms.

3. Build a Snowman Template

This hands-on activity is a great way to keep students practicing solving the skill of your choice while embracing the winter holidays. Students solve two-step equations to “build” their snowman piece by piece.

How to use it:

• Pair students in small groups or let them work individually.
• As students solve the equations, their answers will tell them what to add to their snowman

Because this activity is so much fun for students of any grade level, I made a template so you can make your own! Just edit in Google Slides

4. Winter Review Game for the Day Before Winter Break

If you’re new here, Ghosts in the Graveyard is my favorite review game. You can read more about how to play here. My students loved it so much, I started making it for multiple holidays and seasons. Reviewing key concepts doesn’t have to be boring, especially when you add a fun holiday theme. Snowflakes on the Roof is a competitive review game where students answer math questions to earn snowflakes for their roof. Each roof has a different point value, so students find out which team wins at the end!

Why it’s a hit:

• It’s a perfect time to reinforce concepts before report cards are finalized.
• Works well for math, social studies, science and English language arts.
• Keeps students engaged with a fun activity while sneaking in review.

Set up your game in minutes with Google Slides for easy access via Google Drive.

5. Self-Checking Unit Rates Pixel Art

Pixel art is not just visually appealing; it’s also a great way to give students instant feedback on their work. In this activity, students solve unit rate problems, and correct answers reveal a holiday-themed pixel art image.

Why it’s effective:

• Immediate feedback motivates students to stay on track.
• Perfect for early finishers or as a station during rotations.
• Incorporates holiday activities without sacrificing learning.
• Provides immediate feedback to students, so no grading needed!

Making It Work for Your Classroom

These holiday activities are designed to keep students engaged while giving you some breathing room during one of the busiest times of year. Here are a few tips to make the most of them:

• Use a Curriculum Map: Identify which activities fit your lesson plans or upcoming concepts.
• Plan for Small Groups: Activities like the escape room or snowman-building are ideal for group work, which gives you time to tackle your to-do list.
• Add a Holiday Twist: Tie in holiday movies, holiday decorations, or holiday cards for extra cheer.

The last week of school can feel overwhelming, but with a mix of engaging winter activities that incorporate math skills, and goal setting, you can survive the holiday season!

Drop a comment below to let me know which activity you’re going to try this year!

If you need ideas for the first week back in January, read this blog post next!