T'was the week before holiday break...
...and all through the school, the kids were super hyper while the teachers tried to keep their cool. The coffee bar was stocked full of strong winter brew, with lots of chocolate and candy to get teachers through. Administration and crisis team had walkie's on and ready to go, preparing for the worst, but hoping it wouldn't be so. The nurse and custodian were prepared too, flu season had come and they knew just what to do. The secretaries were ready with fast hands on those phones, to get the back up guest teacher, good 'ole Mrs. Jones. Teachers were creatively mixing fun with required, finishing up the grading period, and feeling quite tired. Secret Santa gift giving had started among staff, with little gifts and sneaking around, causing some people to laugh. So, how does this school remain so positive and at ease? They followed these survival tips and it was a BREEZE!
Survival Tip #1- It's OK To Take A Break
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This goes for you and for your students. While you are feeling rushed and hurried and stressed about getting your end of quarter grades done and holiday shopping complete, the kids are also feeling the stress and rush of it all. If you are feeling overwhelmed, take a few minutes before the kids come into your class to listen to quiet music, relax and set your intention for the day. When you see your students are struggling to focus. Stop your lesson. Give them a minute to turn and talk, stretch their legs, or even jump onto www.gonoodle.com for an energizer or a soothing refocus activity. If you are feeling like you are getting frustrated or can't focus, tell your students you need a brain break and put on some quiet music and let them have 5 minutes of quiet free time for drawing, reading, writing as long as they are quiet. Brainpop and Youtube have lots of short educational videos you can even put on to just have a few minutes to regroup.
Survival Tip #2 Plan Ahead!
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Of course you have a plan for your week, but how thorough is that plan? Do you have your materials out and organized? Is that holiday craft sorted and ready for students? Do you know what assessments you will use and which ones you won't? What are your Learning Targets and Success Criteria? The more you have organized ahead of time, the less instructional time lost. This is the week your students will not be able to be quiet during transitions. They will be chatty in the hallway, they will be chatty at their desks. Plan in opportunities for movement and talk. Put the students in charge of their own learning. This is NOT the week to have long transitions between activities while you gather the materials for the next class or lesson. YOU WILL LOSE THEM! Have everything plus extra planned out and ready. Keep the pace quick and engaging and make what they are learning fun.
Survival Tip #3 SMILE
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There is a ton of research on the impact of a smile. A simple smile can brighten someone else's day. A smile goes a long way in making others feel better, but it surprisingly does wonders for your own emotional health too. Try it now, while you are not feeling impatient or frustrated, to see the impact. Put on your biggest, most fake smile, and try to leave it there for as long as you can. If you can, take a silly selfie or get on Snapchat and send a pic to a friend. Next time you are angry or feeling yourself get frustrated, put on your biggest most fake smile and stick with it for a few minutes. It works! I do this regularly, and even though I may look silly or feel strange doing it, it has helped to change my mindset in the moment. Teach this trick to your students when you see one or more that may need it. You'll be so happy to hear the giggles from your class.
Survival Tip #4 Remember, You May Be The Best Part of A Student's Day
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Sometimes the student that drives you the most crazy, is the same student that needs you the most. We don't know what happens when our students leave our room each day, but based on the stories they tell us, we know it isn't the same for everyone. If they are lucky, they go home to loving, caring homes where they are cared for and have everything provided to them. Sadly though, many of our students don't go home to this at all. They go home to a place of stress and chaos. So many of our students will be alone at home over break, due to both parents working or parents not being able to afford daycare. Knowing this can cause anxiety in many students. They like the structure you provide them and they know they get breakfast and lunch every day at school. They know someone is there to listen to them and guide them. This week, those students, the ones that get to you the most at times, need you the most. They need to know you will be thinking about them. They need to know that is is ok that their traditions may not be the same as everyone else's in the classroom. Most especially, they need to know that you will miss them. Make this clear to them during this week.
Survival Tip #5 Get Involved With Staff Activities
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Does your school do a Secret Santa, ornament exchange, staff lunch, or Ugly Christmas Sweater competition? If they have any activities that help you to bond as a staff, this is the week to jump on board. Everyone is feeling overwhelmed and wants to just get through these last few days. Lord help us if we have a full moon on top of it all. For me, family obligations and my long drive have gotten in the way of me participating in Happy Hour or after school events up through now, but these are things I can participate in while I am at work. Giving small gifts to someone and seeing the smile on their face, or hearing how much they enjoyed trying to figure out who their person is helps to build relationships with your co-workers. If that's too much for you, or it is too late, jump on board for the Ugly Christmas sweater competition, or the staff luncheon. It is a time for you to all talk and laugh and share what you will be doing over break.
I hope these 5 easy tips will get you through this last week before break. I wish you the happiest of holidays! Enjoy your time with family and friends. Drink, relax, and rest up for the last half of the school year!
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