After Holiday Chaos

So many teachers face the first school day after a holiday with dread. The idea of dealing with students amped up on sugar and who did not get enough sleep is daunting at the very least. The goal is to find the correct balance for the school day. How do we keep these students learning and growing while not fighting a losing battle in the control of the classroom? What is the balance needed for these crazy days?

My philosophy includes never asking your students to do something that you know they will not do. When you do this, you are setting them up to fail right from the start. Hopefully, by this point in the year you know your students very well. You can anticipate what the first day back from the winter break is going to look like. If you have a more time consuming class, this may look like a very laid back day where you just enjoy time together. There are very few students, of any age, that will return to school ready to tackle new material while sitting still and silent. Be prepared for this and make sure what you prepare for the first few days are things your students will be able to complete successfully.

If I may suggest, a great possible activity could be a show and tell style day. Remember though, not all students will have had a fun and exciting break with great gifts to share. Instead, the show and tell can be tied to review of material they have already learned. Help them get back in the groove of school and build confidence at the same time. You could also allow your students to write about a day they experienced during their break. This way you are not asking them to share a story they won’t have to share, but instead giving them an outlet to share thoughts and emotions from their break.

I will be honest, each class is different, and so what works one year with one class, may never work again. I am discovering that this year’s class is vastly different than any I have had before. It has made it so that I haven’t had as much time to write in this blog as I adjust and learn how best to help and motivate my students. I hope we can learn together, from successes and failures. Happy Holidays, and remember, enjoy!