Do you want your students to come back from winter break feeling confident, focused, and ready to learn - but without overwhelming them or spending hours planning?
The first week back after a long break can be challenging. Students are out of their normal routines, their stamina for schoolwork is lower, and jumping straight into new writing or grammar concepts can feel like a lot - for both students and teachers.
That’s where a winter break review comes in. Taking time to revisit previously taught skills in January isn’t going backward - it’s giving students the foundation they need to succeed for the rest of the year.
In this post, I’m sharing 5 reasons why winter break review is worth your time. These strategies help ease students back into learning, reinforce key writing and grammar skills, rebuild routines, and make your first week back less stressful.
And if you want to put these ideas into action quickly, my January Grammar and Writing Refresh was created specifically for this transition week. It includes ready-to-use lessons and video lessons to make reviewing writing and grammar simple and effective.
#1: Eases Students Back into School After a Long Break
Have you ever started teaching a lesson after a long break, only to hear the dreaded “I don’t remember that,” or “How do I do this again?”
That’s exactly why having a few solid review lessons in place is so important - especially in January.
After winter break, students are coming back to school with disrupted routines, later bedtimes, and a lot of mental stimulation. Expecting them to immediately jump into brand-new content can feel overwhelming for everyone. Review lessons lower the cognitive load by allowing students to work with skills they’ve already been taught, giving them the space to rebuild stamina, focus, and confidence.
Starting the year with intentional review helps students feel successful right away - and sets the tone for more productive learning in the weeks that follow.
#2: Review Reinforces Skills Students Have Already Learned
January review isn’t “going backward”. Instead, it’s about strengthening the foundations students need to be successful moving forward. Just like we intentionally review last year’s skills at the beginning of the new school year, we should approach January the same way after winter break.
Most students aren’t engaging in academic work during the two weeks off, which means skills naturally fade. Revisiting key concepts helps move learning from short-term memory into long-term memory - setting students up for greater confidence and success for the rest of the year.
#3: Reestablishes Classroom Expectations and Routines
In addition to strengthening the skills students have already learned, it’s important to take time to reestablish classroom expectations and routines after a long break. Review days are the perfect opportunity to do just that.
Because the academic content is familiar, review lessons create space for students to practice discussion norms, independent work, partner and group expectations, and writing or editing routines - all without the added pressure of brand-new learning.
#4: Builds Student Confidence and Momentum for the New Year
Review builds confidence and creates early wins for students.
Starting January with familiar skills allows students to feel successful right away. When students experience quick wins during the first week back, they’re more willing to participate, take academic risks, and engage in new learning as the month continues.
That confidence carries into upcoming units and helps the rest of January run more smoothly.
#5: Low Prep and Low Stress for Teachers
Teachers are also returning from a long break, and January can feel like a lot. Review lessons make the transition easier by allowing you to reuse existing materials, avoid intense planning during a busy week, and focus on rebuilding routines instead of heavy grading.
Less prep, less stress, and a smoother start to the new year - it’s a win-win for everyone.
Key Takeaways
The first week back after winter break doesn’t have to feel rushed or overwhelming. With intentional review, you can ease students back into learning, reinforce essential writing and grammar skills, and rebuild routines - all while keeping planning stress low.
Maybe you’ve jumped straight into new content after a long break before (I’ve definitely done that), or maybe you’re already on team review first. Either way, January is the perfect time to reset and set your students up for success for the rest of the year.
If you’d like to have the first week and a half of ELA already planned for you, my January Grammar and Writing Refresh was created specifically for this transition. It includes 10 plug-and-play video lessons that review key grammar and writing skills, rebuild routines, and help students regain confidence after winter break - without adding extra prep to your plate.
👉 January Grammar Refresh Mini Unit
Want a sneak peek before committing? You can preview a few of the lesson videos in my exclusive YouTube playlist here:
👉 SNEAK PEEK: January Grammar Refresh (YouTube Playlist)
Starting the new year with review isn’t going backward - it’s giving your students (and yourself) the strong foundation they need to move forward.
If January planning always feels heavier than it should, this refresh was made for you.