New Year Activities for 5th graders can be hard to come by.
We usually don’t have much time to spend “getting back into the groove” after Winter Break because there’s sooo much curriculum to get through.
I always seem to find the same boring, played out journal prompts that are some variation of “What is your New Year’s resolution?” Snooze fest, no thanks!
Coming back from Winter Break is hard enough as it is… so make it brighter and more fun with a couple fresh New Year 2025 Activities.
Before we dive in, you’ll want to enter your name and email address to join my upper elementary social studies/writing email club. No spam, just engaging ideas, resources, history stories, and fun!
Ditch the old, overused “What’s Your New Year’s Resolution?” journal prompt!
In my opinion, the standard What’s your New Year’s resolution? journal prompt is played out.
I’ll be the first to admit that every time, literally every single time, I make a New Year’s resolution, usually about working out or eating healthier, it ends with a box of donuts. #thestruggleisreal
Let’s try a new approach… I like to think of it as “Framing Resolutions” for students.
New Year’s Resolutions for 5th Graders
There’s something about that fresh feeling of coming back from Winter Break that makes classroom resolutions, especially for my students, seem exciting and completely plausible.
You’ll want to frame the resolutions for students to make them applicable and manageable.
Give students a resolution starter and have them complete the statement.
Resolution Starter Examples
- I will improve my social studies grade by taking these 2 steps…
- I will perform one small act of kindness per week. Here are 3 ideas to help me get started…
It’s a great idea to brainstorm ideas with your students, but allow them to personalize their resolutions. Framing the resolutions encourages manageable, attainable goals.
Complete a History-Themed New Year Project!
If you teach social studies, you know how important it is to make history relevant to your students.
My favorite way to start the new year in social studies class is with this New Year 2025 Social Studies Activity.
Each digit of ‘2025’ has a corresponding American history-themed story and quick writing assignment.
This resource is ready to use TODAY and will encourage active engagement among your students.
How does this no prep resource work?
You’ll choose a one-page template for your students, or print enough for each student to choose his/her own template.
Then, for each digit in 2025, you’ll show the corresponding slides (containing an interesting history story) and have students complete the brief writing assignment inside each digit.
Check out the ready-to-use resource here: New Year 2025 – Social Studies Activity with Google Slides & Template Choices
Before you go, be sure to sign up for my weekly email club ONLY for upper elementary social studies and writing teachers. You’ll love the ideas, resources, and fun sent your way weekly 🙂
