2 New Years ELA ESSENTIALS: The January Reset

*This activity and ALL RESOURCES from my website are include in The Ultimate ELA ebook! Click HERE to purchase. 
 
Ring in 2026 stress-free.
 
This resource includes 2 engaging New Year ELA activities, plus printable options for students who forgot their Chromebooks (or left them in the car to freeze over break ❄️).
 
Activity #1: It's the 2026 Mix! This ready-to-go activity gives you more time to enjoy winter break and serves as the perfect “semi-free day” students are always hoping for on the first day back.
 
This is not your average “make a vision board” activity (though that is one option). Instead, students reflect on their interests, goals, ambitions, and skills, and explore how those can carry into future experiences.
 
Slide Breakdown:
Slide 1: Title slide + student name (students may redesign if they choose)
Slide 2: Adaptable directions + student-friendly table of contents
Slide 3: Vision board—images representing dreams, ambitions, or joyful moments (pets are always a hit!)
Slide 4: Music in 2026—song titles/covers that represent who they are (great for a class playlist)
Slide 5: Words & phrases that inspire them this year Optional: Display these in your classroom for the rest of the semester
Slide 6: Student favorite! Students choose a sport they play or watch, identify key skills for success, and explain how those skills transfer to school, home, or community life
Slide 7: 2026 trends—what’s IN and what’s OUT (personal or societal lens)
Slide 8: Media snapshot—movies, shows, or video games that represent them (Perfect for helping you reference student interests all year!)
Slide 9: New skills students want to learn—and how they might use them in everyday life or future careers
Slide 10: Books of 2026—past reads, future reads, or books that reflect their identity
Slides 11–12: “What if…?” / “I wonder…?” Students finish the sentence and research what they discover
Slide 13: Final reflection + peer share
 
⏱️ Timing: This lesson can take 1–3 class periods, depending on how you assign the slides. Assign work, circulate while students reconnect and chat, or use the time to prep for the upcoming unit.
 
Activity #2: Locked In: 2026+ Students create a Bingo Board that reflects their goals, dreams, and aspirations for 2026 and beyond! 4 square and 5 square board options PERFECT for any level of motivation, and goal-setting without the cringe.
 
Kick off the new year with two high-engagement ELA activities for the price of one, perfect for reflection, goal-setting, and easing students back into learning after break!