January 5, 2026 CL Seasonal Activities Winter, CL Lesson Plans, ELA Seasonal - Winter, ELA K-5, ELA Resources - Activities, ELA Focus - Writing, Core Literacy
By: Guest Blogger
The start of a new year is a powerful moment in the elementary classroom. Students return from winter break ready to reconnect, reflect, and reset—and teachers are looking for meaningful ways to channel that energy into learning.
To help you kick off January with purpose, we’ve created a free printable New Year Writing Activities Bundle for grades 1–5. These low-prep activities encourage reflection, goal setting, and creativity while easing students back into classroom routines.
Download a New Year Writing Activities Bundle for grades 1–5 now.
Why New Year Activities Matter in Elementary Classrooms
Reflection and goal setting are more than seasonal traditions—they’re essential skills that support social-emotional learning, student ownership, and academic growth.
When students:
- Reflect on past experiences
- Set realistic, age-appropriate goals
- Express hopes for the future
they begin to see themselves as active participants in their learning journey. The following three printable activities are designed to make that process engaging, developmentally appropriate, and fun.
#1 New Year Reflection and Goal Setting for Students
January is the perfect time to help students pause, think, and plan ahead. The “A Time to Reflect…A Time to Plan…” writing activity guides students through thoughtful prompts that spark meaningful discussion and writing.
Students respond to questions such as:
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What was the best thing that happened to you last year?
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Is there anything that you would change or do differently?
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Think of at least one "hope" or "wish" that you have for the New Year.
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What will you do to have a successful New Year?
Download the “A time to reflect…a time to plan…” Writing Activity to use in your classroom.
#2 New Year Flip-Up
Transitioning from “vacation mode” back to “school mode” can be challenging—for students and teachers alike. The New Year Flip-Up Activity adds a hands-on element that keeps students engaged while reinforcing goal-setting skills.
Here’s how to do it:
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Fold a piece of construction paper in half.
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Cut only the top half of the paper into four even sections.
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Write one of the digits of the current year on each section.
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Underneath each number, have the students write a goal for categories that include: Home, School, You (as a person), Activity/Sport/Hobby.
Download the New Year Flip-Up Activity worksheet to use in your classroom.
#3 New Year Resolution Balloons
The Resolution Balloons activity combines writing, creativity, and classroom display to help students visualize their goals for the year ahead.
Start by discussing what a resolution is—choosing something to work on or improve during the New Year. As a class, brainstorm examples and list them on the board. Students then write one personal resolution on a printable balloon template.
Collect and display the balloons on a “Happy New Year” bulletin board. Use colored paper for the balloons and tape a strand of curling ribbon to each balloon as its string. This makes for an eye-catching display!
Download the Resolution Balloons Activity to use in your classroom.
In Summary
These printable New Year activities are designed to help you begin the semester with focus, creativity, and connection. Whether you use one activity or all three, they offer an easy way to support reflection, goal setting, and student voice in grades 1–5.