Winter break is officially over, and in this vlog I’m bringing you with me for our first day back with students (after a professional development day). I share a few new things I’m trying in my classroom—like a fresh seating arrangement and a standing desk paper holder attachment—because I always like to start a new stretch of school with systems that make the day feel smoother. I also chat through a little travel recap from my break (Egypt and Turkey), and then we jump right into what it actually looks like to get 4th graders back into “school mode.” The biggest focus today is our winter break reset. I’m really intentional about reviewing routines and procedures, easing back into expectations, and giving students structured, low-pressure ways to reconnect with school. I also show what we’re using as we roll into a new math unit, including new materials and a game option to keep practice engaging. If you’re heading back after a long break and you want your classroom to feel calm, organized, and doable again, this video is basically my real-life reset routine from start to finish.