December Survival Guide

Sanity-Saving Solutions to Get You Through the Holiday Season

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Hang in there! The December vacation is just a few short weeks away, and this month's New Teacher Survival Guide has lots of teaching tips, creative ideas, and time-saving strategies for getting through this season of stress.

Overcoming New Teacher Exhaustion
Between holiday happenings and all your teaching responsibilities, the weeks before the December break can seem more like a season of stress than a season of cheer. Here are some tactics for juggling it all so you can really relax and rejuvenate during the vacation.

15 Stress-Busting Tips From Teachers
Experienced teachers share quick tips on managing the heavy workload and reducing stress.

Clip & Save Checklist: Perfecting People Skills
Want to improve your knack for getting along with students, parents, and colleagues? These questions will help you assess your people skills and pinpoint areas where there's room to grow.

Fit to Print: December Bulletin Board Ideas
Need help brainstorming and designing this month's bulletin boards? These holiday and winter-related images and ideas will provide plenty of inspiration.

Classroom Activities: Celebrating Holidays and Wintertime
Tap into students' eagerness for merrymaking and Christmas vacation with classroom activities that capture the holiday spirit and often connect to the curriculum.

• Grades K–5
• Grades 6–8

"Been There, Done That" Tips & Ideas: Parent Involvement
Teachers offer advice on taking advantage of the energy, enthusiasm, and expertise parent-volunteers have to offer.

Bookshelf Bests: Holidays and Winter Themes
With visions of holidays and vacation fun dancing in everyone's head, you'll have an easier time holding students' attention if you incorporate books involving December celebrations and winter activities into the mix. This month's recommendations include beloved classics and newer titles that focus on Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

• Grades K–5
• Grades 6–8

Time Management Tip: Controlling File Cabinet Chaos
Stop losing precious minutes wading through papers and paraphernalia. These tips should help you make and keep a New Year's resolution to tackle your file cabinet once and for all.

Classroom Activities: Holiday and Winter Fun (Grades 6–8)
Tap into students' eagerness for merrymaking and Christmas vacation with classroom activities that capture the holiday spirit and often connect to the curriculum.

Bookshelf Bests: Holiday and Winter Themes (Grades K–5)
With visions of holidays and vacation fun dancing in everyone's head, you'll have an easier time holding students' attention if you incorporate books involving December celebrations and winter activities into the mix. This month's recommendations include beloved classics and newer titles that focus on Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

15 Stress-Busting Tips From Teachers
Experienced teachers share quick tips on managing the heavy workload and reducing stress.

LESSON PLAN

Sample Lesson Plan for New Teachers New teachers can use this sample lesson plan on mythology as a guide. New teachers may view it as a template when preparing their own lessons.