My 5 Favorite January Literacy Centers (That Keep Kids Learning and You Sane!)

Are you a fan of January in the classroom? For many teachers, this can be a tough month, but don't worry. . .  we're going to find that silver lining today! Even if your students come back from break a little extra chatty, wiggly, or still stuck in “holiday mode,” your January literacy centers can be the anchor that brings everyone gently back into routine. Having engaging, winter-themed activities ready to go can make all the difference in keeping your sanity and your lesson plans on track!

Let's Boost Engagement This January!

We all know that aside from being the longest (ha!) month of the year, January has its challenges! Kids return excited, loud, and bursting with stories about their break, and getting everyone regulated again takes time. That’s why thematic centers work so well this month! They feel fresh and fun for students, while offering the structure, predictability, and focus they desperately need after weeks away from school. 

Not to mention, fun winter themes re-engage those sleepy brains, make transitions smoother, and help your classroom feel calm and cohesive again. And when centers flow, your whole day flows. I think we ALL need that in January! Ready to make this month a great one? Let's do it! Here are 5 of my favorite activities for January. 

1. Winter Same & Different Visual Discrimination Cards

If you want a quick warm-up that’s meaningful and gets the wiggles out, these cards are your new January bestie. Visual discrimination is such an underrated pre-reading skill, and this set makes teaching it completely effortless! 

In this resource, you get 84 task cards that print 4 to a page. Each task card features two different pictures for your students to study and determine if they are the same or different. This activity is perfect for whole group time, such as your morning meeting, and also works beautifully in small groups. You can even pair kids up with a partner and have them switch off completing the task card, too! 

Why You and Your Kids Will Love It

It’s a silent, movement-based game (yes… SILENT). Students will study the two pictures and use hand signals to tell you if the pictures are the same or different. They will put both hands up and wiggle their fingers for the same. For different, they will put their arms crossed in front. The kids LOVE this because it feels like a fun game, and you'll love it because it's a nice, quiet, and calm activity to roll into after break. 

Try using this as a transition when your class needs a minute to reset, or keep a box of cards by your carpet area for instant time-fillers. These cards will come in handy throughout your day! 

2. Fill the Missing Letter Cards (Uppercase & Lowercase)

If your January literacy centers need something hands-on and independent, these Fill the Missing Letter Cards are the perfect choice! They give students tons of alphabet fluency practice without feeling boring. Plus, with this activity, you can choose from using magnetic letters, alphabet tiles, or just a dry-erase marker to complete it. This makes it fun and easy to switch it up!

Inside this resource, you get two full sets of cards, one uppercase, one lowercase. Each card shows part of an alphabet sequence with one letter missing. Students will identify the missing letter and fill it in with a magnetic letter, letter tile, or dry-erase marker. Just be sure to laminate them first! 

I've also included recording sheets for some extra accountability and practice. Each card is numbered, so students will just make a note of which card they're working on and fill in the missing number. It’s simple, satisfying, and a great confidence-builder for emerging readers!

Why You and Your Kids Will Love It

This activity fits anywhere in your day, making it super versatile! Whether you use it during centers, as an activity for your morning tubs, or a round of SCOOT, it's sure to be a hit! And speaking of SCOOT, this option allows kids to get up and moving as you rotate, which brings in even more engagement. 

With this activity, you get meaningful alphabet practice in a format that practically runs itself! In centers, students can work independently at their own pace, which means fewer interruptions and smoother rotations for you.

Try putting uppercase cards out one week and lowercase the next, or keep the black-and-white version in your morning tubs to save ink. These cards are the definition of low prep, high impact!

Winter Letter Recognition & Beginning Sounds Set

If you want a center that truly feels like a game, this Winter Letter Recognition & Beginning Sounds Set is the one kids never get tired of. It sneaks in letter naming, matching, and phonics work all at once, making it a great fit for both circle time and independent centers.

The resource includes multiple card types and recording sheets to allow for full flexibility! You get uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and picture cards for beginning sounds for both cards and worksheets. I've also included a picture key for the cards because we all know that it can sometimes get tricky! 

To play, you will choose the cards you want to work with, as well as the recording sheet style. Place all the cards face down, "fishing pond" style. Then, students draw a card, find the match on their page, and color it in. Students can match capital to lowercase, letters to pictures, or use the cards for a mix-and-match activity. 

Why You and Your Kids Will Love It

The versatility is what makes this gold. There are SO many ways to play! You can set up a “fishing” bin where kids draw a card and find the matching letter or picture on their recording sheet, or pull out the cards for rapid-fire warm-ups that boost fluency without taking extra prep time. 

For a winter twist, print the cards on white paper and cut them out.  Then wad them up to make snowballs.  Students will grab a snowball, open it up, and complete the task. Then they can wad it up again and set it aside for the next person.

This is also a great activity that is easy to differentiate. Emerging learners can work with just a handful of letters, while more experienced readers can mix all three decks for a bigger challenge. This is one of those centers that grows with your class and adapts to individual needs easily. Plus, it's a super simple setup and includes endless ways to play. 

4. CVC Word Winter Work Mats

These CVC Word Winter Work Mats are EVERYTHING for January. They take your daily CVC routine and turn it into a consistent, visual, predictable literacy center your students will walk into and instantly know what to do. Each mat includes a CVC word picture and sound boxes shaped like snow-covered houses. Students will tap each sound, build the word with magnetic letters or letter tiles, and then write it on the matching recording sheet. 

Why You and Your Kids Will Love It

The picture cues remove the guesswork and the frustration for your emerging readers.  Plus, the combo of the house-shaped boxes and magnetic letters makes segmenting feel like a hands-on puzzle. Kids stay focused longer, and you get engaged, phonics-rich practice that supports decoding and spelling.

For even more fun, laminate a class set to use during your small groups. Practice in depth with your kids, and when it's time to rotate, send your kids to the next table with their recording sheet and challenge fast-finishers to write a sentence using one of their CVC words. This is the kind of center that settles your room, lowers your stress, and fills your January literacy block with meaningful, independent practice! 

5. Winter Sight Word Treasure Hunt (Fry's First 100)

If your class needs a high-energy sight word review after winter break, this Winter Sight Word Treasure Hunt is going to be your new go-to. Think of it as a sight word search meets treasure hunt game! Plus, it's simple to set up, but it brings maximum engagement! Yes, please!

In this resource, you get Fry's First 100 word cards plus matching treasure cards. To play, add the sight words to a pocket chart, hide "treasures" behind a few, and let the reading and searching begin! Kids will read a word, remove the card, and check to see if a treasure is hiding underneath. It's such a fun way to get your kids excited to read and practice those sight words!

Why You and Your Kids Will Love It

It’s fast-paced, fun, and perfect for whole-group days when everyone’s a little wiggly. You can also scale it down for centers using 10-15 target words at a time. Students take turns reading, checking, and celebrating, all while getting in tons of sight word fluency.

Use the black-and-white cards for assessments or quick progress checks, and reuse the treasure cards during math, transitions, or Friday rewards. This one is a classroom favorite all winter long!

Make Literacy Fun This January!

As you ease back into routines this month, I hope these January literacy centers give you that perfect mix of calm, consistency, and meaningful practice. Reviewing the skills that you learned in the first half of the year is the perfect way to ease back into learning after a long winter break. Each activity is designed to be low-prep for you and highly engaging for your students. This is the sweet spot we’re all chasing in the winter months! 

Whether you need quick warm-ups, independent centers that practically run themselves, or whole-group games that get kids moving and laughing, these resources will help you start the new year with confidence. Here’s to a cozy, happy January filled with growth, routine, and lots of little literacy wins! 

Oh, and if you need more literacy ideas for winter, you know I've got you covered! Check out all of my favorites right here!

Looking for More?

Check out these posts next for more fun literacy ideas!

• 5 Ways to Use Word Banks
• 7 Engaging Ways to Practice CVC Words
• Fun Science of Reading Phonics Activities

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Low-Prep Pocket Chart Poetry Centers That Keep Kids Reading All Year Long

If you’ve ever wanted a literacy center that builds fluency, supports phonemic awareness, reinforces sight words, and actually runs itself… poetry is the secret. Young learners love poems. The rhythm, repetition, and predictable patterns make it feel like play, but underneath, there is powerful reading instruction happening. If this sounds like exactly what you need to boost engagement and excitement about reading, you're going to LOVE what I'm sharing today! Come along to learn how poetry pocket chart centers will be a total game-changer in your center time routine. 

The Literacy Center Dilemma 

Tell me if this rings a bell for you. . .  So many teachers love the idea of literacy centers, but not the reality of running and managing them. You want students working independently, meaningfully, and with confidence. But often what happens is something else altogether. It usually goes something like this:

• Students forget the directions
• They finish too quickly
• They get overwhelmed and stall
• They aren't able to work independently
• The task is not aligned with what your kids need practice with
• You feel like you're reinventing the wheel every month
• You're spending hours prepping tons of center time materials

The result? You spend more time managing the center than it gives back to you. I think we have ALL been here before, right?! The good news is that there's a better solution. A poetry center solves this problem because the structure never changes. Once students learn how to use it, they can work independently over and over again, even when the poem itself changes. 

Benefits of Poetry Centers in the Primary Classroom

I promise I'll share my favorite low-prep resource to support this, but first, let's talk benefits! Poetry offers so many benefits for young learners, especially in the primary classroom. Its rhythm, rhyme, and repetition make it naturally engaging, helping students notice patterns in language and sound. Reciting and interacting with poems builds phonemic awareness, strengthens vocabulary, and reinforces sight word recognition in a fun, memorable way. 

Poetry also supports reading fluency, as students practice expression, phrasing, and pacing while rereading familiar lines. And because poems are naturally repetitive and rhythmic, students feel successful, which builds independence, confidence, and motivation to read. Beyond the academic skills, poems encourage a love of language and foster creativity. They will have your kids smiling and excited to learn!

 The bottom line is that integrating poetry regularly creates a rich literacy environment that is both joyful and highly educational. And. . .  I've got a pocket chart poetry center that will make implementing it an absolute breeze!

Get Started with Pocket Chart Poetry Centers

Ready to see this action?! Let's talk about how it all comes together. In my classroom, I used Monthly Pocket Chart Poetry Centers that aligned with the holidays, seasons, and themes. The center consists of an anchor chart with the full poem, as well as word cards that are cut into strips and used for building the poem. The idea is that you only need to teach the routine once, and then it carries your students all year long as you switch it out each month. You can use them for whole groups, small groups, and of course, center time!

Begin by selecting your poem of the week or month and displaying it in your pocket chart, where students can clearly see and interact with it. This becomes the shared reading piece that everyone practices together. I recommend placing this at the top of the chart, or on a wall nearby. 

Next, prep the word cards by printing, laminating, and cutting them apart. These cards are what students will use to build and rebuild the poem during center time. There is a color set and a black and white set in each pack. You can place the black cards in the chart first and have the kids match up the color ones, or have them build from scratch. I like to store them in baskets when not in use. 

Using the Pocket Chart Poetry Center

For a simple, kid-friendly set-up, make sure the poem is on a wall nearby or above the chart, place the colored word cards in a basket underneath, and place the black word cards in the pocket chart. I like to add a pointer as well. As a side note, it's important to show the kids how the center looks when they start, so they can return it to this setup for the next person. 

Introduce the Poem with Your Whole Group

Once the materials are ready, introduce the poem during whole-group instruction. Read it together, track the print as you read with a pointer, clap the rhythm, talk about rhyming words, and model reading with expression. This step builds familiarity and confidence so students know the poem before encountering it independently.

Rotate to the Poetry Center 

Once students understand the poem, they can practice it again when they rotate to the poetry center. Have your kids start by re-reading the anchor poem, then move into matching or building. Here's a step-by-step look at how I recommend doing this: 

I like to pair kids up with a partner and have one child hold the pointer and read the poem aloud on the anchor chart. The other child can match the color word cards to the black word cards in the pocket chart as it's read aloud. Then, have them switch and try again! 

Once they have done this a few times, challenge them to rebuild the poem from scratch, either with a partner or independently. This is such a simple activity that your kids will pick up fast! 

How to Keep It Going All Year Long

Remember, the task stays the same every time, only the poem changes. No new directions. No reteaching. Just meaningful, confidence-building reading practice on repeat. When you're ready to swap the poem, it's quick and simple! Just bag up the current set, store it away, and add your new seasonal set. This allows you to match poems to monthly or seasonal themes and keep what you're learning feeling fresh! 

More Ways to Weave Poetry Centers into Your Routine 

Aside from dedicated center time, there are many other great ways to use these poetry centers in your classroom. I loved using the poem during our morning meeting so that everyone got familiar with it. I'd call up a volunteer to be my official pointer, and we'd all recite it together. It's a great, rhythmic addition to your morning routine that students truly love!

Another fun idea is to keep poems in a binder or poetry folder. Students love rereading past favorites! We like to use these, I Can Read Notebooks, to keep all of our poems safely tucked away. You might even consider sending a copy of the poem home as part of your weekly homework routine. Have students circle or highlight sight words, vocab words, and more!

What’s Included in the Build a Poem Pocket Chart Bundle

Ready to make this part of your classroom routine?! I know you will love the Build a Poem Pocket Chart Bundle! For every month of the year, you’ll find a seasonal or thematic anchor chart poem along with the same poem in a pocket chart format. Here's what's in the full year bundle:

• 12 Monthly Poems 
• Printed Poem Posters
• Word Cards in Color and Black and White 
• Instructions for Use

The predictable structure of these activities supports a wide range of early literacy skills. Students practice left-to-right tracking, return sweeps, one-to-one correspondence, and voice-print matching. They also get built-in opportunities to identify beginning sounds, recognize rhymes, improve reading fluency and expression, and develop sight word recognition and automaticity. 

Ready to Try It in Your Classroom?

Don't wait to add this to your literacy routine, friends! Grab the Pocket Chart Poetry Bundle here! 

A year-round poetry center helps students gain fluency, phonemic awareness, confidence, and joy in reading, all while working independently. But the best part is that you can set up your poetry center once, make a few small swaps each month, and use it for years to come. It’s simple, engaging, predictable, and meaningful. Plus, I know your students will love it! Click the image below to grab the whole year bundle!

Looking for More?

Be sure to check out these posts next for more classroom learning ideas!

• Teaching Poetry in the Primary Classroom
• 5 Ways to Use Word Banks for Independent Learning

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Easy Staff Morale BINGO Ideas to Use All Year Long

Looking for a simple, high-energy way to keep your staff smiling from August through May? If you’ve ever played Staff Morale BINGO, you already know how powerful it can be for building connection and positivity in your school community. But what if you could keep that excitement going all year long, with new themes, fresh prompts, and seasonal fun that fits your campus perfectly? Let me show you how my Staff Morale BINGO bundle makes it easy to celebrate your amazing staff, no matter the season! 

What is Staff Morale BINGO? 

If you’re new to this activity, Staff BINGO is an interactive, whole-school morale booster that turns your staff hallway or lounge into a giant BINGO board! Each square includes a task, goal, or self-care challenge for staff to complete. As they do, they sign their name on the square. The goal is to get five in a row, vertically, horizontally, or diagonally, for a chance to win prizes!

It’s a lighthearted, flexible game that encourages teamwork, laughter, and a little friendly competition. Best of all, it includes all staff in your school! That means teachers, paraprofessionals, custodians, office staff, and cafeteria crew can all join in on the fun!

Why Play All Year Long?

Staff BINGO is so much more than a one-time morale boost. When you play seasonally, it creates an ongoing culture of appreciation and fun that staff look forward to every few months. Each new version brings a fresh burst of excitement, new tasks to try, and an opportunity to reconnect during different parts of the school year.

Choosing to align your BINGO games with seasons or holidays will give everyone the fresh boost of motivation they need to make it through before the holiday break. I also have an "anytime" set that can truly be used anytime of year to add a little fun to your routine at school. However you schedule it, it’s guaranteed to bring joy, connection, and laughter to your building!

Setting Up Staff BINGO 

If you're wondering how this game is played, let me assure you - it's easy and simple! Here's how to get started:

1. Choose your theme. More on this below! 
2. Print your BINGO letters. You will choose 25 cards to display and print them on bright colored paper to match your theme. 
3. Arrange in a 5x5 grid. Choose a hallway or breakroom wall that is heavily trafficked by staff. 
4. Set a time frame to play. One or two weeks is perfect and allows everyone a good chance at winning!
5. Play and celebrate! Encourage your staff to sign their name on the squares they complete during the time period. Then, celebrate your winners! You can award prizes for each BINGO earned, or throw all those names in a raffle and draw winners.

This is such a simple way to encourage staff throughout the year and keep morale high. Not to mention, it's just plain fun! Once you set up this BINGO game once, you'll see how easily it can be swapped out and used seasonally, too! 

Rotating BINGO Seasonally 

Wondering what this looks like in action? Here’s how you can rotate your BINGO boards throughout the year:

Back to School BINGO 

Kick off the year with positive energy! This version is all about starting strong, connecting with coworkers, and getting motivated for a brand-new year. Prompts include fun, simple tasks that help staff get settled in and reenergized after the summer. Here are some of the prompts they can check off on the Back to School BINGO Board:

• I prepped a bulletin board. 
• I wrote out student name tags. 
• I stocked up my classroom with healthy snacks. 
• I traveled with my friend or family this summer. 

There are 40 different cards included, so you can choose the 25 that work best for your school. Then, get them laid out on a wall as a BINGO board and let the fun begin! It’s a perfect August morale boost and an easy way to welcome new team members, too.

Gratitude & Wellness BINGO

November is the perfect time to focus on gratitude and self-care before the holiday rush.
This board includes tasks that help staff slow down, reflect, and show appreciation for themselves and others. You’ll find wellness-centered prompts like:

• I wrote a thank-you note.
• I made a pot of my favorite soup or chili. 
• I donated to a favorite organization.
• I took a nap after work yesterday. 

It’s a heartwarming way to remind everyone that kindness and gratitude go a long way in keeping morale strong. Try using this Gratitude BINGO game during the month of November to encourage your staff members to take care of themselves and their staff family!

Christmas Staff Morale BINGO 

Bring on the holiday cheer! This version adds a festive touch to your December staff events. The fun, seasonal prompts help lighten the mood during a busy time of year. Here are just a few:

• Decorate your classroom for the holidays.
• Have your students create a winter art project.
• Enjoy a cup of hot cocoa or a seasonal beverage. 
• Play holiday music while prepping your classroom. 

This activity is just what you need to add a healthy dose of Christmas cheer to your month! Pair it with your staff potluck, 12 Days of Christmas events, or Secret Santa exchange to make December extra merry.

Anytime Staff BINGO

Want to play outside the holiday seasons? The Original Staff BINGO set is designed to work year-round!
It’s full of versatile prompts that fit any month. It's perfect for spring motivation, midyear pick-me-ups, or when your campus just needs a little positivity push. Here are a few of the included prompts:

• I made a positive phone call home today. 
• My desk was clear when I left for the day. 
• I hosted an observer in my class today. 
• I enjoyed a completely non-working lunch today. 

These non-seasonal prompts are perfect for any time of year at your school. There are more than 100 different BINGO cards included, and you only need 25 to play. That means you can pick and choose what you like, or use it many different times without repeating cards! You can even use it as a team-building activity during professional development days or staff meetings.

Prize Ideas That Don’t Break the Budget

Now, let's talk about those winners of your BINGO game! As I said, you can award prizes for each BINGO earned, or include a raffle entry for each BINGO earned. Either way, you can hand out prizes to winners at your next staff meeting to infuse a little extra fun. Here are some simple and budget-friendly ideas to try:

• A prime parking spot for a week or a month 
• Jeans passes 
• Lunch delivery 
• Special hot beverage
• Fancy pens or school supplies
• Coffee gift card 
• Copies made
• A book of their choice for their classroom or personal reading 

The idea is to keep it fun and rewarding, no fancy prizes needed! If you need more ideas for budget-friendly prizes, be sure to read my post all about Staff Scratch-Offs next!

Keep the Fun Going All Year 

I know once you get started with Staff Morale BINGO, you'll be hooked, too! It's such a simple and easy way to build community, spread positivity, and make school a place everyone loves to be. Whether you’re kicking off the year, giving thanks, or wrapping up before winter break, there’s a BINGO version to match every season and every team. That's why you've got to grab the Staff Morale BINGO Bundle! Inside you get:

• Back to School BINGO 
• Wellness and Gratitude BINGO 
• Christmas BINGO 
• Anytime BINGO 

You'll be all set for a whole year of staff morale fun with these games! And don't forget, these aren't just for teachers, either! Your entire school will be able to take part in the fun and join in. So, head on over and grab the bundle today to see the incredible positive impact it will have on staff in your school! 

Looking for More? 

Read these posts next for more staff morale fun!

• 5 Staff Morale Boosters That Aren't Food
• 8 Ways to Boost Staff Morale in Your School
• How to Create a Staff Morale Hub

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Staff Christmas Party Games and Gifts to Boost Morale Through the Holidays

December in schools is jam-packed with concerts, parties, assessments, and a whole lot of holiday buzz. In the middle of all that hustle, finding time to celebrate your staff can go a long way toward building morale and spreading cheer. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, planning a festive staff meeting, or just looking for simple ways to sprinkle in some joy, these Staff Christmas Party Games and Gifts are ready-to-go and guaranteed to bring smiles. Here are some of my favorite festive resources that make it easy to keep things lighthearted, meaningful, and fun during one of the busiest months of the year!

1. Staff Christmas Gift Spinner

Want a game that’s equal parts excitement and holiday cheer? The Staff Christmas Gift Spinner has your team spinning, guessing, and winning prizes hidden under holiday cups. With bows, spinners, and a little bit of mystery, this game turns any staff meeting or Christmas party into an instant celebration. Here's what's included:

• 4 colorful spinners
• prize coupons
• directions for setup and play

Simply set up red and green Solo cups with hidden prizes underneath, and top each one with a different color bow. Then, staff will spin for a bow color, find a matching cup, and uncover their winnings! From no-cost rewards (like jeans passes or duty swaps) to small goodies, you can tailor the prizes to fit any budget. This is the perfect Christmas party game to add to your plans!

2. December Dollar Game

This one is always a crowd-pleaser! The December Dollar Game is all about avoiding the “outlaw word.” Every time someone slips up and says the chosen word, another staff member can swipe their dollar. By the end of the event, the person with the most dollars wins! In this resource, you get:

• Outlaw word poster in color and black and white 
• Reindeer dollars (printable or use real $1 bills)
• Awards for winners
• Directions for use

This quick-to-prep game works great at holiday parties or even during a December staff meeting for an extra dose of laughter. You'll pass out real dollars or printed reindeer dollars for each person. They will pin it to their collar or sleeve and go about the party or meeting. If they slip and say the "outlaw" word, the person who catches them can steal their dollar. The object of the game is to collect as many dollars as you can. Awards are given out when the game concludes. This is a fun one that's easy to weave into your staff Christmas party festivities!

3. Staff Christmas BINGO

Staff Morale BINGO is a fan favorite, and this Staff Christmas BINGO adds a holiday twist. There are 30+ BINGO cards included with fun holiday prompts like "read a holiday story to students" or "wrote a holiday card to a colleague". Staff complete tasks on each BINGO square, sign the board, and work toward five in a row. The best part? Everyone can participate, from teachers to support staff!

The idea is to collect as many BINGOs as possible. Each one gives that staff member a raffle entry to be completed when the playing time is over. Prizes can be as simple as a coffee gift card, a week of jeans, or that coveted parking spot. This activity runs beautifully over several days, giving staff something lighthearted to look forward to in the busy season.

4. Christmas Scavenger Hunt

Nothing sparks joy like a friendly scavenger hunt! The Christmas Scavenger Hunt has staff searching for items to stuff in their Christmas stockings. From holiday recipes to teeny-tiny pencils, there are so many fun items to find! Not to mention, the mix of silly and practical items ensures plenty of laughs along the way. Here's what's included in this resource:

• Directions for how to set up and play
• Scavenger Hunt Checklists (30+ items)
• Directions and rules handout for staff 
• Awards for winners 

On the day of the event, staff can play as individuals or teams throughout the day. At the end, you'll tally up the results and choose winners! To help keep things flexible, you can decide on prizes that fit your budget. Gift cards, special treats, office supplies, and casual wear passes are all great options. 

5. Holiday Mirror Shoutouts

Sometimes it’s the little surprises that mean the most. This Holiday Shoutouts resource includes colorful and B&W signs with fun, punny messages like "You Sleigh" or "Happy Holly Days." Print on festive paper, cut out, and place them on restroom mirrors, staffroom doors, or even use them in a holiday photo booth. 

This resource includes 17 festive shoutout signs (in color and B&W) and will be the perfect way to decorate and spruce up your breakroom. This one is a small effort with a big payoff. These unexpected notes of cheer will brighten everyone’s day!

Staff Christmas Party Bundle 

Want all the staff Christmas party fun without the planning? The Staff Christmas Party Bundle includes five festive resources in one pack, perfect for December morale-boosting. You get:

• December Gift Spinner
• Christmas Scavenger Hunt 
• December Dollar Game 
• Christmas Staff BINGO 
• December Mirror Shoutouts

Each activity is designed to bring your staff together, build community, and spread holiday cheer, without adding stress to your already busy schedule. These 5 activities are perfect to use during the week before Christmas break, or as activities for your Staff Christmas Party this year! 

December Holiday DOUBLE Bundle

I've got one more fun surprise up my sleeve... If you’re ready to go all out, the December Holiday Double Bundle is the ultimate holiday collection with 11 more ready-to-use staff activities. From cookie exchanges to hot cocoa bars, estimation jars, Secret Santa, and even printable Christmas Post-It notes, this bundle has plenty more festive activities to make December fun and memorable. Here's what's inside:

• White Elephant Book Exchange
• Cookie Exchange & Cookbook 
• Hot Cocoa Bar 
• Secret Santa 
• Holiday Decor and Affirmation Tags 
• Holiday Postcards 
• December Rock, Paper, Scissors
• Estimation Jar 
• December Scratch Off Tickets
• Christmas Post-It Notes
• Reindeer Name Game

With so many options, you will have so many exciting staff morale boosters at your fingertips. Be sure to check out this post for a closer look at many of the activities included in this bundle. Use them all month long to spread Christmas cheer and celebrate with your staff! 

Have a Memorable Holiday Season with Your Staff

December is busy, but it’s also the perfect time to pause, celebrate, and remind your staff how much they are valued. Whether you go with the Staff Christmas Party Activities Bundle or plan a whole month of fun with the December Holiday Double Bundle, these ready-to-go resources make it easy to spread joy without adding to your to-do list! Because at the end of the day, boosting staff morale isn’t about big gestures, it’s about creating moments of connection, laughter, and appreciation. And that’s the best holiday gift of all! Head on over to TPT to grab them both and simplify your holiday staff morale planning.

Want to Get a Jumpstart on January Staff Morale?

Read this post next to stay ahead of the game! 

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November Staff Morale Activities to Celebrate Thanksgiving

The month of November can feel like a whirlwind in schools. Between parent conferences, shortened schedules, holiday programs, and preparing students for a long break, staff members often find themselves running on empty. That’s why it’s the perfect time to sprinkle in some extra joy and gratitude to boost morale. Simple, intentional staff morale activities can go a long way in showing appreciation and keeping spirits high as the holidays approach. That's why I'm sharing seven fun and meaningful November staff morale activities you can use to bring laughter, connection, and a whole lot of thankfulness to your team!

1. Guess the Weight of the Turkey Giveaway

Bring a little excitement to your staff lounge with this engaging and hilarious activity! Provide one or more turkeys and let staff members guess the exact weight. Use the included recording sheets, turkey cards, and ballots to keep things organized. The person with the closest guess wins the turkey. 

This activity is not only festive but also flexible, too! You can give away one turkey or twenty, depending on your budget or donations. Make sure to check with local grocery stores to see if any are willing to donate turkeys. You may be surprised how many are willing to help out your school. Try this activity at your November staff meeting before Thanksgiving for a fun way to boost morale and connect. 

2. Mini Pie Gift Tags

There’s nothing sweeter than pie. . . except being reminded how much you’re appreciated! This next resource falls perfectly in line with the Thanksgiving theme and is really easy to put together. Purchase mini pies from a local bakery or grocery store and attach thoughtful tags with appreciative messages. This resource includes 4 different colorful tags with fun sayings such as, "No matter how you slice it, you’re simply the best" and "Happy Thanksgiving! Thankful to have you on staff!".

Once you've got all your pies labeled with the cute tags, deliver them on a cart, place them in staff mailboxes, or hand them out personally. It’s an affordable gesture that leaves a big impact, especially during such a busy season! Plus, who doesn't love pie?! 

3. Your Turkey Name Game

Ready to laugh with your staff? This November staff morale resource is just the thing! The Turkey Name Game is a quick, low-prep way to spark laughter. To use, you will print and post the colorful game chart in a high-traffic area and print nametags for staff to fill in their silly "turkey names." They use the code on the chart to find the two words provided for the first letter of their name, as well as the month of their birth. When combined, this creates a super silly and fun turkey name to write on their tag. 

It’s a lighthearted way to break up the day and create shared moments of fun. Place it by the sign-in sheet, copier, or staff lounge on the last day before Thanksgiving break, or right before your staff meeting. You’ll hear giggles all day long!

4. November Post-It Notes

A kind and thoughtful sticky note can truly brighten someone’s day. With this resource, you’ll get 18 fall-themed designs that print right onto Post-It notes. They're so simple to use, too! Just open the template on your computer, load sticky notes into your printer by following the directions, print, and you're ready to go. No cutting required! 

Once they are printed, leave them on desks, doors, or mailboxes to spread cheer and encouragement throughout the month of November. You can even mix it up with seasonal colors such as orange, yellow, brown, and green. It’s quick, easy, and powerful in showing staff that they’re valued!

5. Gratitude & Wellness Staff BINGO

My Staff Morale BINGO is such a huge hit in schools that I knew I HAD to create a version specifically for November! With this resource, you'll be able to encourage gratitude, wellness, and self-care with a fun round of Staff BINGO. Here's how it works:

1. Choose 25 tasks from the 35+ included options
2. Print the colorful cards, and arrange them as a BINGO board on a wall in a high-traffic area
3. Let your staff complete challenges throughout the month and sign their name to each BINGO card as they do.
4. The goal is to get at least one BINGO horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. 

For each BINGO that a staff person gets, they will receive a raffle entry for prizes. These can be as simple as a prime parking spot, a jeans pass, or a free lunch. This is a great way to involve all the staff in your school, not just teachers, and promote positivity across the building. Just let your teachers know when the BINGO board is open, collect raffle entries, and raffle off prizes before break. This will be such a memorable activity that you will want to use it year after year!

6. Turkey Toss Challenge

Kids can't have all the fun at school! Get ready for laughter and a little friendly competition with this Turkey Toss Challenge. Using hula hoops, you'll set up a few different toss stations. Inside the resource, you'll find printable Thanksgiving-themed targets to place inside. Staff members will stand behind a spot marked on the floor with painter's tape and use bean bags or stuffed turkeys to toss at the target. This is a great activity to set up in the gym, or even outside on the playground if you live in a warm area. Staff take turns tossing into targets and earning points for their team. 

It’s active, silly, and guaranteed to bring people together! Finish it off with prizes for the winning team, like snacks, gift cards, or fun privileges. The best part about this activity is that you can choose the prizes to fit your budget! 

7. Turkey Hunt

The last November Staff Morale activity on this list is another active, fun game. To get started, you will print out the invitation that gives staff members the details. This activity is done every day for a week, and staff are put in teams to "hunt". On the first day of the event, hide a stuffed turkey somewhere in your school and let the hunt begin! 

Staff members will search throughout the day with their team and notify the leader of the game if they spot the hidden turkey. A point is awarded to the first team that finds it, and an extra bonus is given if they find it before noon. This repeats each day, and at the end of the week, points are tallied and the highest scoring team at the end of the week wins! You can choose the type of prizes you award, but one thing is for sure: this will be a hit! It’s a fantastic way to create energy and camaraderie in the weeks before break.

Bundle and Save on November Staff Morale Activities 

Loving all of these November staff morale activities? The good news is that you don't have to choose which one to use at your school! Check out this bundle to find many of the activities mentioned here, plus one more! Here's what's included:

• Turkey Name Game
• Gratitude BINGO 
• Turkey Hunt 
• November Post-It Notes
• Turkey Toss
• Gratitude Jar 

Grab the Thanksgiving Staff Morale Bundle to get these 6 activities, and don't forget to snag the Mini Pie Gift Tags and Guess the Turkey Weight Giveaway as well to secure plenty of Thanksgiving fun for your staff! With all of these fun and unique staff morale boosters in your back pocket, you'll be all set for a great November with your team. 

Have Fun Celebrating Thanksgiving with Your Team!

November is the season of gratitude, and these activities make it easy to celebrate the hardworking staff who keep your school thriving. Whether you’re gifting pies, sparking laughter with a silly turkey name, or encouraging wellness through BINGO, each small act adds up to a staff culture where people feel seen and appreciated. Take a moment this November to pause, give thanks, and spread joy. You’ll be amazed at the positive ripple effect it creates across your building!

Looking for More Staff Morale Activities?

Check out these posts next to get all set up for the months to come!

• More November Staff Morale Activities
• December Staff Morale Activities 
• January Staff Morale Activities
• Planning a Year of Staff Morale Activities

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