<p><strong>6 Tips to Keep Your Middle School ELA Classroom Calm, Engaged, and Learning Through the Holiday Season</strong></p><p>The holiday season is here! For middle school ELA teachers, this means balancing holiday buzz, unexpected absences, and the looming skill assessments. Teaching ADHD students in this busy season can make it even more challenging to keep students focused and engaged. Here’s a teacher-tested guide with six tips and engaging holiday activities to help your ADHD students (and all your students!) stay on track and learning through November and beyond.</p><h3 id="eb39939d-5578-4deb-a1e5-73191855e87b" data-toc-id="eb39939d-5578-4deb-a1e5-73191855e87b">1. Celebrate Veteran’s Day with Nonfiction and Reflective Writing 🕊️</h3><p>Veteran’s Day on November 11th is the perfect opportunity to introduce middle school students to the significance of honoring veterans and military history. Originally known as “Armistice Day” and commemorating the end of World War I in 1918, this holiday has deep meaning that middle schoolers can appreciate. For engaging classroom activities, try introducing nonfiction articles about the history of Veteran’s Day or first-hand accounts from veterans. Check out my nonfiction article bundle, filled with high-interest texts and comprehension activities that keep students engaged with relevant topics.</p><p>Veteran’s Day is also an ideal time for reflective writing. Prompts like, “What does courage mean to you?” or “If you could thank a veteran, what would you say?” give students a chance to express gratitude and build writing skills. Try my holiday-themed writing prompts pack for easy, no-prep reflective activities that foster critical thinking and creativity in middle schoolers.</p><h3 id="1903df90-b3ea-44b1-a403-baf90d95943e" data-toc-id="1903df90-b3ea-44b1-a403-baf90d95943e">2. High-Interest Nonfiction for November 📜</h3><p>November is the perfect time to bring in nonfiction texts that are packed with seasonal interest. Articles on topics like Pilgrims, Thanksgiving traditions, the Macy’s Day Parade, college football rivalries, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday trends keep students engaged while aligning with Common Core standards for reading and comprehension. Even a quick discussion on the psychology of holiday shopping or the history of Thanksgiving can spark curiosity! My nonfiction article bundle includes easy-to-use, high-interest texts that middle schoolers love and that make lesson planning simple.</p><h3 id="a629466b-3d3a-4033-8dad-bbffcda97529" data-toc-id="a629466b-3d3a-4033-8dad-bbffcda97529">3. Engaging Holiday Writing Prompts for Middle School ✍️</h3><p>The holidays are an ideal time to incorporate themed writing prompts that feel fun and meaningful. Middle school students enjoy prompts like, “What’s a family tradition you love and why?” or “If you could spend $1,000 on Black Friday, what would you buy?” These prompts encourage students to connect personally with their writing and improve their writing skills along the way. If you’re looking for ready-made activities, this holiday-themed writing activity is packed with prompts that guide students through expository, descriptive, and reflective writing.</p><h3 id="54343f57-1c33-4562-84b6-9de50e28df89" data-toc-id="54343f57-1c33-4562-84b6-9de50e28df89">4. Hands-On Grammar Activities for ADHD Students 🎲</h3><p>Grammar doesn’t have to be boring, and hands-on activities are perfect for keeping ADHD students engaged. Try using Veteran’s Day-themed sentences or Thanksgiving language exercises to make grammar relatable. Hands-on tasks are ideal for helping ADHD students focus and retain grammar skills in a way that feels relevant and meaningful. MyThanksgiving Grammar Bundle is designed for middle school ADHD students, with fun, themed activities that make grammar practice interactive and seasonal.</p><h3 id="0f0680d4-5e64-4b91-81b2-be012eebbb15" data-toc-id="0f0680d4-5e64-4b91-81b2-be012eebbb15">5. Short Stories for November with Themes of Gratitude, Generosity, and Family 📖💬</h3><p>The holiday season is a great time for stories that connect with students on a personal level. Stories exploring themes of gratitude, family, loneliness, and embracing differences resonate with middle schoolers, making it easier to engage ADHD students and foster meaningful discussions. If you’d like a quick solution, my seasonal short story pack is ready with questions, activities, and discussion prompts that help students connect with these heartfelt themes.</p><h3 id="1b9531c4-4376-42fa-9eef-d89b206e8b9e" data-toc-id="1b9531c4-4376-42fa-9eef-d89b206e8b9e">6. Planning for December’s Holiday Excitement 🎉</h3><p>November’s all about gratitude, but December brings a new level of holiday frenzy. Get ahead of the game with resources that transition seamlessly from Thanksgiving into winter holiday themes—keeping ADHD students focused through the whirlwind of December. My seasonal activity pack is a teacher favorite, perfect for keeping students engaged and focused—even with the holiday excitement in full swing.</p><hr><p><strong>Final Tips for Teaching Through the Holidays</strong></p><p>These strategies and resources are designed to make your holiday season teaching easier and more enjoyable. Having themed, engaging resources at your fingertips can keep ADHD students focused and foster a positive classroom atmosphere. Here’s to a smooth, productive November and December in your ELA classroom!</p>

6 Tips to Keep Your Middle School ELA Classroom Calm, Engaged, and Learning Through the Holiday Season The holiday season is here! For middle school ELA teachers, this means balancing holiday buzz, 

6 Tips to Keep Your Middle School ELA Classroom Calm, Engaged, and Learning Through the Holiday Season

1. Celebrate Veteran’s Day with Nonfiction and Reflective Writing 🕊️

2. High-Interest Nonfiction for November 📜

3. Engaging Holiday Writing Prompts for Middle School ✍️

4. Hands-On Grammar Activities for ADHD Students 🎲

5. Short Stories for November with Themes of Gratitude, Generosity, and Family 📖💬

6. Planning for December’s Holiday Excitement 🎉

Explore ADHD-friendly ELA strategies, homeschool & classroom tips, diagnostics, and engaging resources for grades 6-8 from Light Up Literature™ Curriculum

Middle School ELA Blog – ADHD-Friendly Tips & Strategies | Light Up Literature™ Curriculum

Discover teaching techniques, ADHD-friendly routines, homeschool support, and ELA resources for middle school grades 6-8.

6 Tips to Keep Your Middle School ELA Classroom Calm, Engaged, and Learning Through the Holiday Season

6 Tips to Keep Your Middle School ELA Classroom Calm, Engaged, and Learning Through the Holiday Season

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