8 Ideas for Using Slides to Keep Students Focused and on Track  

Those weeks in between Thanksgiving and Christmas break can always feel like a bit of a marathon. 

You’re juggling all of your normal learning on top of holiday fun, festive concerts, and wanting to add some magic to your days. 

Plus, there are some days when your students might feel 100% out of control. 

Using a winter slide template (in Google Slides or PowerPoint) is a great way to keep your students engaged and focused amid the chaos without sacrificing the holiday cheer. 

Here are 8 ways you can use slide templates to provide the structure and keep students focused and on task.

P.S. All of the text on these slide templates is editable, so you can change them up to say exactly what you need! 

1. Winter Welcome Slides 

Often, how mornings begin is the indicator of how the day will be. 

Have a fun welcome slide, or display the daily agenda so students know what is coming, and add in a bell ringer or morning work so they can get started right away!

These slides will give students a glimpse into the day and embrace the magic of winter each morning. ❄️ 

2. Morning Work with Timers

If your morning time looks a little more structured, with a task for your students to complete while they wait for announcements or everyone to arrive, check out these templates. 

These slides keep students focused by reminding them of what they need to accomplish during morning work time. 

Plus, the embedded countdown timer adds an extra layer of engagement for your students. They are able to know exactly how much time they have left to finish.

3. Reminders / Homework Slides

Reminding students about big things coming up (field trips, special school days, recitals, etc.) or homework doesn’t have to be boring! 

Add this winter slide template to your morning routine to give students the nudge they need in style. 

Spending some time talking about what is planned for each day is extra helpful during December, because it’s often filled with activities and events you don’t normally have. 

4. Centers or Rotations Slides 

Keep your students focused and on task during your centers or rotations time with these winter-themed slides. 

Not only will they make your classroom feel more festive, but the 20-minute timer will save you so many headaches. 

You won’t have to answer “How much longer” quite as often. And you are freed from keeping an eagle eye on the clock to make sure you don’t go over. 

Plus, the combination of text and visuals makes it really easy for students to remember what they are supposed to be working on. 

5. Math Warm-Up Slides

Kick your math lessons off with a few warm-up questions. 

These will help prime your students’ brains to be ready to think about what they learned yesterday, and how it builds upon what they’ll be tackling today.

Plus, it’s a great way to start your lesson with engaged students because you are asking them to get to work right away. 

Also, how can you not enjoy the adorable snowmen & penguin? 

6. Direction Slides

Chances are, you’re doing at least one different activity sometime in the winter months. 

Help students stay focused and know exactly what they need to be doing with these direction slides. 

Whether it’s a fun STEM challenge or a paper snowball fight, use this template to make your expectations for the time crystal clear. 

The added countdown timer will again only help students focus on the task at hand as they will see their time slowly slipping away. 

7. Must Do, May Do Slides

Eliminate the number of times you answer “What do I do next?” with these Must Do, May Do slide templates.

Use these slides to tell students the tasks they need to accomplish, and then leave them on the board as an easy reminder. 

Then, build the habit in your students of checking the board before they come and ask you a question. 

Then, independent work time becomes a time when your students are focused on what they should be doing, and you can accomplish the task you’ve been putting off for days. 

8. Exit Tickets Slides

Ending the lesson with a quick exit ticket is so helpful to let you know which students have mastered the skill you taught, and which ones still need help. 

Use this simple winter slide template to throw your exit ticket up on the screen. This will help keep your students engaged on the task at hand without adding a ton of prep work to you. 

Add a timer for even more engagement from your students! 

Keeping your students engaged doesn’t have to be the bane of your existence this winter. 

Snag these Winter Slides for your classroom today to add some easy, festive cheer and help hold your students’ attention during the winter months. 

PowerPoint and Google Slides formats are included in the bundle. Everything is text-editable, allowing you to customize it for your classroom, and you can add a countdown timer to any slide! 

Say hello to structured school days with a sprinkle of winter magic ❄️

And if you’re looking for more festive slides for other times of the year, I have these seasonal slide bundles!