Lesson Plan
After Vacation Readiness Lesson Plan
Students will be able to identify and commit to key routines and expectations for a smooth transition back to school after a vacation.
A structured return to school helps students reduce anxiety, re-engage with learning, and maintain a positive classroom environment, ensuring everyone is ready to learn.
Audience
4th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Discussion, activity, and reflection.
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
- Review the After Vacation Readiness Lesson Plan and all linked materials: Back to School Bounce! Slide Deck, Vacation Vibes Check-in Warm Up, Routines, Expectations, and Reconnecting Discussion, My Ready-for-School Plan Worksheet, and One Thing I'll Do Cool Down.
- Ensure projector/smartboard is ready for the Back to School Bounce! Slide Deck.
- Print copies of the My Ready-for-School Plan Worksheet for each student.
- Have writing materials available for students.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Vacation Vibes Check-in
5 minutes
- Display Vacation Vibes Check-in Warm Up (or distribute if printed).
- Instruct students to briefly share one positive memory from their break and one thing they are looking forward to back at school.
- Encourage quick, positive sharing to get energy flowing.
Step 2
Introduction: Welcome Back & Setting the Stage
5 minutes
- Use Slide 1: Welcome Back! and Slide 2: Why Readiness Matters from the Back to School Bounce! Slide Deck.
- Welcome students back warmly.
- Explain that vacations are great, but getting back into the swing of school can sometimes be tricky. This session is about making that transition smooth and easy.
- Briefly explain the objective: to identify and commit to routines and expectations for a smooth return.
Step 3
Group Discussion: Routines, Expectations, and Reconnecting
10 minutes
- Transition to Slide 3: Let's Talk Routines! and Slide 4: Classroom Expectations from the Back to School Bounce! Slide Deck.
- Facilitate a discussion using the prompts from Routines, Expectations, and Reconnecting Discussion.
- Key points: morning routines, homework habits, classroom rules, listening skills, asking for help, and supporting classmates.
- Encourage active participation and respect for others' ideas.
Step 4
Individual Activity: My Ready-for-School Plan
5 minutes
- Distribute the My Ready-for-School Plan Worksheet.
- Explain that students will create a personal plan to help them get back on track.
- Guide them to fill out the worksheet, focusing on 1-2 specific routines or goals they will focus on.
- Circulate to provide support and answer questions.
Step 5
Cool Down: One Thing I'll Do
5 minutes
- Use Slide 5: Your Action Plan and Slide 6: Ready to Bounce! from the Back to School Bounce! Slide Deck.
- Instruct students to complete the One Thing I'll Do Cool Down as an exit ticket.
- Ask them to share one specific thing they will do to ensure a smooth transition.
- Collect the cool-down slips as students leave or transition to the next activity.
Slide Deck
Back to School Bounce!
Welcome Back, 4th Graders!
Welcome students back. Keep the tone positive and energetic. Ask how their breaks were briefly.
Why Readiness Matters
Vacations are fun, but getting back into school mode can be tricky.
Being ready means:
- Feeling calm and prepared
- Knowing what to expect
- Being ready to learn and grow
- Helping our classroom community thrive
Prompt students to think about why having a plan for returning to school can be helpful. Connect it to feeling prepared and successful.
Let's Talk Routines!
What routines help us have a great school day?
- Morning routines (getting ready, breakfast)
- Homework time
- Bedtime
How do these routines help you?
Lead into the discussion about routines. Ask students what routines they missed or need to restart. Emphasize consistency.
Classroom Expectations
What are our classroom expectations?
- Listening and participating
- Being respectful
- Asking for help when needed
- Working together
How can we help each other remember and follow these?
Shift to classroom expectations. Reiterate key rules and how they contribute to a positive learning environment. Refer to the Routines, Expectations, and Reconnecting Discussion for prompts.
My Ready-for-School Plan
Let's create YOUR personal plan for a smooth return!
- Think about 1-2 routines or expectations you want to focus on.
- Write them down on your My Ready-for-School Plan Worksheet.
- This is your commitment to yourself and our classroom!
Introduce the worksheet. Explain that this is their personal commitment. Emphasize choosing 1-2 realistic goals.
Ready to Bounce!
You've got this!
Before you go, think about: What is ONE thing you will do today or tomorrow to make your return to school smooth and successful?
Share it on your One Thing I'll Do Cool Down!
Conclude by having students reflect on one concrete action. Collect the cool-down slips.
Warm Up
Vacation Vibes Check-in
Welcome back, everyone! It's great to see all your faces.
To help us ease back into school mode, let's do a quick check-in.
- Share one positive memory from your recent break.
- What is one thing you are looking forward to back at school?
Discussion
Routines, Expectations, and Reconnecting
Let's talk about getting back into our school rhythm!
Part 1: Our Awesome Routines
- What are some important routines we follow during our school day (e.g., morning work, transitions, packing up)?
- Why are these routines important? How do they help our classroom run smoothly and help us learn?
- What is one routine you might need a little extra help remembering or getting back into after vacation?
Part 2: Our Classroom Expectations
- What are some key expectations we have for how we treat each other and how we learn in this classroom (e.g., listening, sharing, being respectful)?
- How can we remind ourselves and each other about these expectations?
- Why is it important for everyone to work together to meet these expectations?
Part 3: Reconnecting and Supporting Each Other
- How can we help our classmates who might be feeling a bit tired or out of sorts after vacation?
- What's one way you can be a supportive friend or classmate this week?
Worksheet
My Ready-for-School Plan
Welcome back! Let's make a plan to help you have a super successful return to school.
Think about our discussion and what you need to focus on to get back into our school rhythm. Choose 1 or 2 things that you want to work on this week.
My Top 2 Goals for a Smooth Return:
-
Routine Goal: What is one routine you will focus on this week (e.g., getting to bed on time, finishing homework right after school, organizing your backpack)?
How will you make sure you stick to this routine?
-
Expectation Goal: What is one classroom expectation you will make sure to remember and practice this week (e.g., listening carefully, raising your hand, being kind to others)?
How will practicing this expectation help our classroom community?
My Power Pledge:
I, ______________________________, promise to do my best to follow my Ready-for-School Plan this week to make our classroom a great place to learn!
Cool Down
One Thing I'll Do
Now that we've talked about getting ready for school after our break, think about one specific thing you will do today or tomorrow to make your return to school smooth and successful.
It could be related to a routine, an expectation, or how you interact with your classmates.
My one thing is:
This will help me because: