January in the Classroom: Harnessing the Power of Focus
The holidays are over, and the new year is here. For many of us, the days right after the holidays can feel like a strange limbo—a mix of wanting to stay cozy and relaxed while also feeling the pull to jumpstart planning the rest of the school year. I know I’m feeling that way especially this year. It was a quiet holiday in my house and we were all pretty quick to move on to thinking about the big projects that will be occupying our attention in the new year.
January can be tricky like that. But it also holds a real opportunity to prepare and set the tone for the months ahead.
A Sunday morning prep session. Do you ever sprawl out on the bed like this?
The first part of the school year can feel long. We start out in the fall full of enthusiasm for the newness of a fresh school year. But by the time December rolls around, we’re counting the days to winter break. January, however, offers a reset. And the beauty of this second half of the year is that it’s broken up by a series of smaller breaks—a little breathing room that keeps things moving at a more manageable pace.
So, what should you focus on as you get back into the swing of things in January? Here are some thoughts to help you decide where to place your energy.
January Is an Inward Time of Year
There’s something about this time of year that feels naturally reflective. The winter months encourage us to turn inward, to slow down, and to focus. And this tendency isn’t just true for adults; students feel it too. It’s a time when their ability to concentrate and stay engaged in thoughtful work is at its peak. Take advantage of this natural rhythm by choosing lessons and activities that require deeper thinking and focus.
The Classroom Is in a Good Place
By January, the classroom has settled into its rhythm. The bumps and kinks of the early months—getting to know students, establishing routines, and fine-tuning classroom management—have been ironed out. Things are running pretty smoothly, which means you can tackle those more ambitious or challenging lessons with confidence.
Use This Time to Prepare for the Hard Stuff
Is there a block you’re kind of dreading, because you know preparing it is going to push the bounds of your prep time? Or the subject matter is so tricky you know you’ll need to put all your intentional teaching magic into it for your students to grasp it all? January is the moment for that. The post-holiday energy and natural focus make it a great time to dive into those lessons that require extra intention and thoughtfulness. Odds are, you already had a sense of this back in the summer when you planned your block rotation, but if not, it’s okay to adjust your focus now.
Also, you’ve got the time to prep, and your students have the focus required to learn the difficult topics. It’s time to dive in and take it on.
What Should You Teach?
Here are a few suggestions for blocks and subjects that align well with the inward, focused energy of January:
Math: If there’s a tricky math concept on the horizon, this is a great time to tackle it. Topics like long multiplication in 3rd grade, fractions in 4th grade, or algebra in 7th grade require a lot of focus and attention, and January is perfectly suited for that.
Physics: This is a subject that naturally aligns with the reflective and observational qualities of January. Students’ ability to notice details and engage in careful thinking supports the level of observation required for a physics block.
History: Consider choosing a history block that encourages storytelling and imagination but stays grounded in the classroom. For example, a study of ancient Egypt in 5th grade fits beautifully into this time of year.
What to Avoid
This isn’t the time for big, outward-focused lessons or activities. Leave geography or those big, adventurous field trips for later in the year when the energy naturally shifts outward again. January is a time for steady, grounded classroom work—the kind that fosters independence and focus in your students.
A Final Thought
January is a gift. It’s a time to reset, to dive deep, and to work with the natural rhythms of the season. By choosing your blocks thoughtfully and aligning your lessons with this inward-focused energy, you’ll not only make the most of this time but also set a strong foundation for the rest of the school year. So, embrace this reflective season and see where it takes you and your students.
As a little bonus for paid subscribers, scroll down and follow the link to my Astronomy block test. This block could be taught in 6th or 7th (depending on if you take a geo- or helio-centric approach) and it’s one of my most popular curriculum guides. This test will give you a peek at what the whole block was about.
I hope you have a lovely and reflective close to 2024.
