Surviving Before Break Craziness

If you're a teacher, spring break is around the corner. The kids get wound up, and it seems that everything is due. Here are some suggestions to survive.

Spring Break....

Ah yes, a time for the sun and a break. But, in teacher speak, when spring break time roles aroud, it means more PDA in the hall, grades are due, the students are antsy and the teachers are wooped.

So, how does an overworked educator survive?

Five Things a Teacher Can Do Before Spring Break

• Make packets of review for upcoming achievement tests. They may be drill and kill worksheets, but it will keep the students busy. It never hurts to review!
• Assign Sustained Silent Reading (SSR) -- In other words, quiet reading means teachers can get paperwork done. And, reserch proves that reading improves vocabulary.
• Create a game where students keep track of their points and earn prizes for good behavior before spring break. Middle school kids love prezels and pop or soda. Pretzels are cheap!
• Organize a project where students are making items and are learning independently. This takes care of their energy. Busy hands mean less discipline problems.
• Get a movie or documentary that goes along with your unit of study. Yes, movies on a topic they are studying encourages connections and learning. And, what a great break for the students and the teacher.

Enjoy your spring break! Most students think it is for them. Little do they know that it is really for the teachers.