Ahhhh a new year, a new decade and a fresh start in the classroom.  Each year, when the children in my class return from their winter break, it feels like a reunion of old friends.  Flooded with hugs, smiles and stories, the classroom comes alive again.

This year was no different.  I was so excited to see new spaces where teeth once were, hear holiday stories and most of all…witness the jump in learning that occurs each and every year. One of my favorite things about teaching is re-welcoming children into our classroom to begin a new year of learning together.  The children tend to make a nice leap (especially in reading) after the winter break. Is it the extra sleep? Extra food? Somehow, the 2 weeks at home do wonders for children.  It’s as if all the learning and lessons in the fall sink in and develop over the winter break.  When the children come back….voila! Leaps ahead in learning. Welcome back to the classroom, welcome to a new year (and decade!), and welcome to the next level in learning.