3 Ideas for Resetting for New Year Science Success

It’s that time of the year to prepare for all things “new”. Looking for a new year science teacher reset? I have always loved the new year because it’s just a fresh start! I love new year resolutions. I love how it feels like one chapter is ending and you are starting a new one. It’s just so refreshing.

There are things that you can prepare for the new year in your personal life, but as a teacher, there are many things you can reset for the rest of the school year!

Here are three ways to “reset” as a science teacher and add to your new year science activities!

Relax

Yes! Before you can do anything else, you must relax. If you celebrate Christmas, this time of the year can be extremely busy, especially if you have children of your on. Before you start doing “all the things” for the new year, you MUST take a breather and reset your energy.

You know the saying…you can’t pour from an empty glass. So, fill your glass up.

Everyone is different, but here are some ideas! You should at least do one!

• Read a great book.
• Go on a mini-vacation.
• Enjoy a spa day.
• Go a on walk/hike.
• Do a puzzle.
• Go out to eat with a friend.
• Exercise.
• Draw/paint a picture.
• Find a nice view outside and relax.
• Get some good sleep!
• Listen to your favorite music.
• Watch the sunrise.
• Play a family board game.
• Spend time with your pet.
• Sing or dance!
• Drink a relaxing tea.
• Drink hot cocoa, eat popcorn, and watch a movie.
• Go on a shopping trip.
• Sit by a campfire and make s’mores.
• Go fish or hunt.
• Go stargazing one night.
• Practice gratitude.
• Create something.
• Visit a local science museum or aquarium.
• Stretch.
• Watch a comedy show.
• Make a vision board.

There are so many ideas. All of these may not be for you, but find something you enjoy and relax before the new year begins!

Organize

Another way to reset is to organize. After doing some relaxing, or you can mix this in between the relaxing, it’s great to organize all of the things.

I’ll tell you, around here, I have two small kids, so Christmas time is wild and wonderful. However, after Christmas, there will be an “organizing party” because I will make sure all things have a place, and I want my space decluttered!

So, making sure your house is decluttered and organized is wonderful and a “must-do”, but what about all things school?

Unfortunately, there really isn’t enough time to tackle all of the things to organize because you want to spend most of your time relaxing, right? However, here is a list of things to organize and declutter if you haven’t already! Pick your 3 most favorite (or things you know need it the most), and start with them first!

Digital Clean-Up

• Clear out your emails.
• Organize your Google Drive and/or other cloud storage.
• Delete files on your computer that are taking up space.
• Make sure your digital calendar is prepped for the next few months.
• Organize your bookmarks.
• Use a password management tool to organize your passwords.
• Clear your cookies and cache.
• Update your class music playlist.
• Organize your task management apps.
• Prepare your gradebook for the next quarter/semester/etc.

Paper and Classroom Clean-up

• Organize file cabinets.
• Prepare your paper calendar.
• Organize binders.
• Organize all school papers!
• Clean off your teacher desk.
• Organize your desk drawers.
• Label things that are needed.

New Year Science Class – Reset with Students

Hopefully, you’ll have time to reset a lot of things before your students come back. Once they are back, they will be ready to reset too!

1. First, make sure they are ready to get back into “school mode”. You will have to remind them of classroom rules and procedures. In addition, you will want to do some type of icebreaker or collaborative activity to get students back into the swing of things and to remind them of classroom community.
2. Help them to make sure they are organized. Are their binders ready for the rest of the school year? Are their bookbags and desks cleaned out? Do they have planner? How can they prepare for the new year? Are they set with pencils for success?
3. Another thing to do is to help them reflect on the school year so far. These New Years Task Cards are great for that! It’s a great way to get started! With these task cards, students can reflect and set goals for their science class. In addition, they can reflect and set goals for their personal life. Learn more about them here! They can also be found on TPT.

I hope you have enjoyed the ideas to “reset” for the new year, and I hope your students benefit as well! Happy relaxing and organizing!

Here are 5 Reasons to Review Science Routines and Procedures in January.