January Activities New Year Reading Comprehension | Happy New Years 2024

If you are looking for engaging New Year ELA Activities that cover the standards, this bundle of New Year Idioms, Time Square Ball Reading Passage, Sequencing Activity and Resolution Print and Fold Booklet will help you do just that!

This bundle contains four resources which are detailed below.

1. The idioms covered within this resource all revolve around New Year themed idioms.

Teaching the Idioms

These idioms may be introduced one-a-day on the days back from winter break or throughout the month of January. They may also be all introduced on the day upon return from your winter break 'boot camp' style.

After Introducing the Idioms

Students will be able to fill out noisemaker shaped worksheets that help them engage with the idiom by having them:

• write the idiom
• write its definition
• use it in a sentence
• include an illustration

Options for uses of idiom worksheets are to create:

• a bulletin board
• a class book
• individual books

Other Review Activities Included:

• Mini new year ball shaped idiom cards to be used for Memory, Charades, Old Maid, etc.
• Task Cards to be used in whole group, centers, or as a Scoot activity

Additional Resources:

• idiom quiz

2. The reading passage resource will have students analyzing the text, breaking down the text structure, creating a ball drop sequence of events craftivity, and participating in a reading comprehension assessment.

The ball drop craft is great for bulletin boards or displayed on shelves in the classroom.

Students will read about the history of the New Year Time Square Ball in a passage provided and create their very own sequencing timeline using the information provided in the resource (or you can allow them to do some additional online research).

The Time Square ball can be created using the worksheet provided and either used as is or bent into a cylinder and glued to make it into a 3D dropping ball.

A rubric is included for easy grading of the project.

A set of reading comprehension questions written in standardized test formats are also included.

This resource is very versatile. It can be implemented as a whole group in-class assignment, in groups, in pairs, or individually.

3. Party Hat Story Plot Map

Teaching the Story Elements

• posters included that define each of the 5 story elements and provide examples for the students

After Reviewing the 5 Story Elements

• complete the story map worksheet
• optional story summary worksheet included

Publishing their Work

• Students will receive a party hat template that included in the resource.
• Students will fill in the title and theme on the tag.
• Students will fill in the exposition, event 1, event 2, event 3, climax, falling action, and resolution on the party hat template.
• Students then cut out, bend, and glue the edges together. (Adult assistance may be needed.)

4. New Year Resolution Print and Fold Booklet

This no prep New Years Print and Fold resource allows students to reflect on their accomplishments, set new goals, and develop a plan of action. It also offers ideas to start off the new year right by giving a month's worth of suggestions for Random Acts of Kindness.

Please Check the PREVIEW for a Detailed Look at the Resources.