So we’re in the thick of it, folks. Teaching Grade 7 in December is a feat of patience, humour, and energy. Lots and lots of energy.
In my area of the world, Term 1 is going straight to December 22. I understand that this likely to be because of the fact that Christmas falls on a Monday, and that means that all the statutory holidays need to be accommodated. Aside from that, if it seems like a terrible idea, I think you would be right.
The kids are done. The teachers are done. And somehow we are still in at 8:45 in the morning in that classroom looking at each other, wondering when it’s all going to stop.
At least we are all in the same boat. I suspect my students and I are both craving similar things:
- chocolate
- sleep
- fuzzy things
- blankets
- more sleep
It’s been busy. My school had their Winter Concert this week, meaning that the first three days of the week were wrapped up in rehearsals, the schedule of which changed daily and which was fairly inconsistent. The fact that their presentation in the concert went off without a hit and with great enthusiasm is a testament to a great music teacher, a lot of encouragement, and, quite honestly, the fact that those kids were genuinely proud of how good their performance was.
So, it’s not all bad.
But all this excitement and, quite frankly, maneuvering, has made me wonder. I think we have come up with a few ways to make this week survivable, and perhaps some of these strategies can help you out, too. They’re the kinds of things that it took me years to figure out, or that I heard from someone else.
These are the tips that I’ve been using to keep my kids alongside me this week. Bear in mind I teach Grade 7, so a certain level of flexibility is demanded on a regular basis, just more so right now.
Ways to Survive the Last Week Before Winter Break for Teachers
- Don’t let the kids know you’re slowing down. Keep adding assignments and projects, but be sneaky about. So, perhaps you don’t assign that structured paragraph you’ve been dying to give them, you know the one. Don’t do that, you’ll make them, and yourself, crazy. Give them the project they secretly want to do. The one that’s fun disguised as work. For example, I gave them a math project that allowed them to go online shopping and add a bunch of decimals.
- Give them a highly desirable activity, like games. But only allow students who are 100% caught up on past assignments to participate. Everyone else has to do their work until it’s done. So, students who need to catch up are motivated. Students who are caught up feel rewarded and are quiet so the first group can work.
- Promise a full day of fun for the last day before the break. That way, they know fun is coming, you know it’s only on the last day, and everyone feels that they’ve accomplished something. Some fun things we are doing this year include Secret Santa, a Quiz Show with prizes, and a movie. Classic stuff, but crowd pleasers.
- Everything you assign should be possible to quickly mark. That way you can catch up on your own marking and have the full break without having to think about work.
- Forgive yourself and forgive the kids. Be flexible. It’s the last week before the break, this year we don’t end until December 22nd. Everyone is tired, behaviour isn’t going to be perfect, and understanding is necessary. Don’t fight the kids, work with them where they are.
So far, these have been working for me. It’s now the evening of December 20th, and I think the kids are okay so far. Their attitude is good, everyone is still smiling, and they’re excited about Friday. Keeping things structured but still fun has been a win for us.
Happy Winter. May you get to the holidays with nary a fuss.
