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Literacy Favorites for January

January 3, 2021 By Teaching and Caffeine Leave a Comment

January. It’s one of those months where the rest of the world seems to be starting fresh while teachers are smack dab in the middle of their year. While the world is working on their resolutions, teachers are frantically trying to re-teach rules and routines after winter break while working their way through assessments, formal observations, and maybe praying for a snow day or two. 

For me, January is also the month where I feel the most behind. Returning from break is exhausting, people are out sick so planning time becomes scarce, and weather related delays, early releases, and cancellations throw a wrench into the plans. I’m all about EASY in during the winter months and since I know I’m not the only one, I’m sharing some low to no-prep literacy favorites for January!


1.) Picture Writing

Picture Writing is one of my all-time favorite activities for any time of the year but since it requires zero prep, it’s a clear winner during the winter months. They’re perfect for any age and are great for both in the classroom and remote learning! You can grab the printable pages HERE and the digital version HERE!


literacy favorites for january color by sight word

2.) Color by Sight Word

My tiny humans LOVE their color by sight word pages. They’re another no-prep activity that work great during centers, as morning work or homework, an early finisher activity, or in distance learning packets! You can find the New Years set HERE. If you’re looking for a more generic winter theme, you can grab that set HERE!


literacy favorites for january write the room

3.) Write the Room

Write the Room is a great low-prep activity that gets the tiny humans moving. I love these cards because not only do they give tiny humans the opportunity to move their bodies, the cards can be spaced out throughout the room so you don’t need to worry about them getting too close! The winter cards can be found here.


literacy favorites for january digital sight word clip cards

4.) Digital Sight Word Clip Cards

Not only are they great for academics, clip cards are a great way for tiny humans to practice fine motor skills. Digital Sight Word Clip Cards have been a total game changer for me because although it eliminates the opportunity for fine motor practice, they’re easy to assign, tiny humans can work on them in the classroom or at home, and you dont’ have to worry about sanitizing any materials.. You can grab the free set of cards HERE and the full first hundred cards HERE.


If you’re looking for some great books to read aloud with your students this month, check out this blog post! I picked FIVE of my favorite picture books that I love to share with my tiny humans during the month of January.


I hope you were able to find an activity or two that will simplify your school life this month. It’s a busy and stressful month but your tiny humans are SO lucky that they get to spend it with YOU!

Filed Under: Teach Tagged With: january, literacy, sight words, winter, writing

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