11 Awesome How to Survive Winter Teaching Ideas

Winter can be a challenging season for everyone, but for teachers it often means long, chilly days, the persistent threat of col and flu season, and the pressure of academic requirements. And there’s often few breaks until the spring or Easter breaks. As someone who has spent many winters teaching here in Michigan, I know how the long, gray days and unpredictable weather can take a toll on both educators and students. (We get a nasty lake effect that is totally unpredictable). I want to share a variety of practical winter teaching ideas to help you not only survive but thrive during the colder months.

Whether you’re looking for ways to keep your energy up or create an engaging, healthy classroom, these strategies are designed to empower you and your students when the weather isn’t on your side.

Focus on What You Can Control

Let’s start with an essential mindset piece. Yeah, yeah we all know “it’s about the mindset” but seriously, this is an important thing, especially when other factors can totally destroy your mental stability. When the winter winds howl outside and the days seem endless, it’s essential to remind yourself to focus on what you can control. While you can’t control the weather, you can control how you respond to it.

One idea is to start your season with a clear, achievable goal—perhaps focusing on making each day a little brighter or fostering a positive, resilient classroom culture. Maybe focus on a mental health or self care strategy each week, or have a goal towards lessons delivered in a week, or academic improvement in x number of students during a specific unit. Writing down your goals and revisiting them weekly can be a powerful way to celebrate small victories, whether that’s an engaging lesson or a simple moment of connection with your students.

Embrace the Winter Struggle

Let’s be honest: January, February, and March can be tough. The lack of sunlight, the chill in the air, and the increased risk of winter colds affect everyone. Openly acknowledging these challenges—both for yourself and for your students—can help give you the ability to do something about it. Consider taking a moment at the start of a lesson to validate the winter blues, letting your students know it’s perfectly okay to have off days.

Make a plan with your students for what you (and they) will do when a particular day hits hard. Student and teacher self-care is so important, especially at this time of the year. This kind of honest conversation can empower your classroom by creating an atmosphere of empathy and mutual support.

Some simple ideas you could include in a “winter slump” plan could include a 10 minute break pass for your students to use when they just need a minute. Some extra movement breaks, or a “switch-it up” or “backwards” day when it’s especially hard for the class to pay attention. When you create a small break in the monotony for the day, it can help break negative feedback cycles your (and their) brains might be caught in when in comes to the winter teaching grind.

Preparation: Your Best Winter Ally

Winter is unpredictable, and it pays to be prepared. I know it can be hard to do when you’re already in the throws of February, but one effective winter teaching idea is to have a backup plan ready at all times. Think about creating a digital or physical folder with “anytime” activities—quick science experiments, creative writing prompts, or interactive games—that you can pull out if half the class is out sick or if you’re feeling under the weather. Having these resources ready can make a huge difference on those days when the unexpected happens. This approach not only saves you stress but also ensures that your students continue learning even when plans need to change quickly.

It’s also handy to have your anytime subplans ready during the winter. Find a few engaging and no or low prep lessons that a sub could come in and implement if you need them to. And along that line, it makes it easier to call in sick when you need to if you have some lesson plans and activities all ready to go.

Keep the Energy Up with Movement Breaks

Sitting for long periods in a cold classroom can sap energy and dampen focus. Incorporating regular movement breaks is a fantastic way to re-energize both you and your students. Consider introducing a “movement minute” where, for example, students perform a simple physical challenge related to your math lesson or engage in a quick stretching routine. Even on the coldest mornings, a few minutes of physical activity can transform the atmosphere and help keep the energy levels high throughout the day.

It’s even better if you can get outside, but coming from Michigan, I know that’s not always a feasible thing. If you can find a way to incorporate fresh air, movement and learning, despite the cold, you and your students will benefit from it.

Prioritize Emotional Regulation and Mental Health

The winter months can sometimes bring feelings of isolation, sadness, or anxiety—not just for teachers, but for students as well. Seasonal affective disorder and other mental health conditions are a very real thing some of your students may be suffering from- it’s not just a lazy or moody spell from you students! Focusing on emotional regulation can be a cornerstone of maintaining a positive classroom environment in these winter months. You might try incorporating simple mindfulness exercises, a few minutes of guided meditation, or even a collective deep-breathing session into your daily routine.

Modeling good emotional and mental health practices to your students will help them learn these skills too. Even simple things like prioritizing lunch or break, choosing to let some extra assignment or activity go, or setting boundaries can be great modeling for your students. If you do notice a change in your students’ mood or energy, consider adding a brief check-in or discussion about emotional well-being as part of your routine, and if you have counselors or a school nurse, don’t be afraid to send students to get some extra support.

Let the Sunshine In: Maximizing Natural Light

Even in Michigan, where winter days can be overcast, finding ways to incorporate natural light into your classroom can have a big impact on mood and alertness. This is especially important if you can’t get outside for fresh air.

One idea is to rearrange seating so that more students can sit near windows, or to schedule certain activities in the sunniest part of your classroom. When natural light is scarce (have you ever taught in an interior class before), consider using full-spectrum bulbs or a light therapy lamp to mimic sunlight. A walk around the school, or doing some small group activities in a place with windows may also help. These small opportunities can help regulate circadian rhythms and keep everyone more engaged during the day.

Cultivating a Healthy Classroom Environment

Health becomes a top priority during the peak of flu season. Consider emphasizing a healthy lifestyle in your classroom by teaching proper handwashing techniques (hey if students in medical school have to learn how to wash their hands properly, a lesson or two in your classroom is totally justified), encouraging healthy snack choices, and scheduling regular water breaks. You might even integrate lessons on nutrition, hygiene, or microorganisms into your science or health curriculum so that students learn these practices as part of their everyday routine. Creating an environment where health is front and center can reduce the spread of illness and set a positive example for your students.

One great idea for this you could implement into your class could be having students assigned to watch the tissue boxes and inform you when they need a refill, having a hand-sanitizer manager as a classroom job, or having students help spray down desks and clean the tops of their desks weekly, or daily if possible. If you can get students onboard with keeping the classroom cleaner and a healthier place to learn, perhaps you’ll all avoid passing the yearly sick bugs around.

Embrace Hygge: Creating a Cozy, Connected Space

Okay, this idea actually is one I absolutely love, but have not implemented into a classroom. The Danish concept of hygge—creating a warm, cozy, and inviting atmosphere—can be especially appealing during the cold winter months. Denmark has some of the longest and coldest winters, and they have embraced this concept of creating a cozy, welcoming, and comfortable place. Think about transforming a small corner of your classroom into a “cozy corner” with soft lighting, comfortable cushions, or even a few lap blankets students can use. While you don’t need to overhaul your entire space, finding some small touches can make the classroom feel like a sanctuary on particularly dreary days.

Consider this as a concept to try: on days when the weather outside is particularly brutal, a dedicated space or time for relaxation might just provide the comfort that both you and your students need. If you don’t have time, space, or the fire Marshall won’t let you do too many cozy things, adding some cozy classroom music, or turning the lights down during certain times of the day or in certain activities could help as well.

Winter Teaching Ideas: Let go of Perfectionism

The winter months can feel overwhelming with academic pressures and external challenges. Let go of perfectionism. Recognize that not every lesson needs to be flawless or every assignment graded. Instead, focus on the overall growth and learning process. Cultivate that growth mindset! Allow yourself—and encourage your students—to view mistakes as opportunities for learning rather than failures. This approach can create a more relaxed classroom environment where progress is valued over perfection, which is especially important during the demanding winter months.

Remember how I said to start the season off with a goal? If you keep that goal in mind, you can more easily decide what essentials you need to do, and what things may just need to be let go of- for both you and your students.

Celebrate the Little Things with Mini Holidays

When the long winter stretch feels never-ending, celebrating small moments can inject a much-needed dose of joy into the classroom. One creative idea is to mark every holiday—even the quirky, lesser-known ones—with mini celebrations. You could let your students choose a “holiday of the day” and have them share a fun fact or prepare a brief presentation about it. Using resources like Holiday Calendar or National Day Calendar can inspire you to explore unique celebrations. This approach not only breaks up the routine but also adds an element of fun and creativity to your lessons.

Bring Learning to Life with Hands-On Activities

To keep the monotony at bay during winter, consider incorporating more hands-on activities into your curriculum. I know it takes more time at first, but giving your students things that will be more engaging and meaningful learning experiences will help break up the days. Whether it’s a science experiment or hands on lab, a math challenge or escape room, or maybe a poetry jam session, these activities help make learning dynamic and engaging.

Conclusion

Surviving—and even thriving—during the winter months may seem daunting, but by trying these winter teaching ideas, you can transform a challenging season into an opportunity for creativity, connection, and growth. Focus on what you can control, acknowledge the unique struggles of winter, prepare for the unexpected, and incorporate movement and emotional regulation into your daily routine. Maximize natural light, create a healthy and cozy classroom environment, and don’t be afraid to let go of perfection.

Living and teaching in winter can be hard, but it also offers unique opportunities to innovate and build strong, supportive communities with your students. Pick one of these ideas to try out right now, and save the rest. They really have been picked to help you and your students stay warm, connected, and inspired throughout the season.