12 Calm Days of Winter: A Calm Countdown to Winter Break (K to 3)

Make the last 12 days before winter break the calmest of the year. Each day has the same simple rhythm: hang a numbered pennant, take a two minute calm moment together, make a paper keepsake craft and write a few lines. By the last day, every child has a winter writing booklet and your room has a countdown garland that shows how far you have come together.

What is included

• 12 countdown pennants numbered 12 to 1, in color and ink saver
• A display title sign for the top of your garland
• 12 teacher plan pages with a calm moment script, craft steps, two writing prompts and a read aloud idea
• 12 keepsake craft templates (paper only, all print in black and white): Design a Cozy Sweater, One of a Kind Snowflake, Kindness Chain, Gingerbread Friend, Helping Hands Mittens, Penguin Huddle, I Shine When lights, Design Your Pajamas, Me in a Snow Globe, Dear Winter letter and envelope, A Gift of Kindness with kindness coupons, and a Calm Lantern
• 32 writing pages at two levels (24 winter, 8 Christmas): handwriting lines with a picture box for K to 1, and regular lines for grades 2 to 3
• 16 calm moment cards to keep in your calm corner
• Booklet cover, "My calm toolkit for winter break" reflection page and Calm Countdown Champion certificates
• Planning calendar, at a glance overview, supply list and prep tips
• Editable family letter (type the start date, last day and your name)
• A 20 slide deck (PDF and PowerPoint) with one slide per day, so children can follow the calm moment on the board

Winter and Christmas versions

The main countdown is winter themed, so it works in any classroom. If you celebrate Christmas, swap in four Christmas days: Ornament, Reindeer, Dear Santa and Shining Star. Each has its own pennant, plan, craft, writing pages, calm card and slide.

Why teachers like it

• Low prep: print, cut and go. No food, no glitter, no heat.
• Calm on purpose: the two minute breathing and body breaks give the busiest weeks a steady, predictable shape.
• Flexible: do it all in one block or spread it across the day. Move days around to fit your calendar.

Calm moments include Sweater Hug, Falling Snowflake, Kind Heart Breath, Cookie to Dough, Five Finger Breathing, Penguin Huddle, Twinkle Breathing, Sleepy Stretch, Settle the Snow, Frosty Window, Gift Box Breathing and Lantern Glow.

US Letter size. 99 pages plus a 20 slide deck. Illustrations created for Shinku Studio.