Easing Holiday Hecticness for Primary Teachers
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Welcome to our yearlong series on Classroom Management by Design for Primary Teachers. Each week we will give you a new piece to the classroom management puzzle to have in place when you need it this school year. Think of it as a Lego kit just waiting to be built.
Classroom Management by Design for Primary Teachers: Easing Holiday Hecticness for Primary Teachers
Introduction:
The holiday season is a wonderful time, but it can also be a high-stress period for teachers balancing classroom demands, holiday planning, and family time. Managing these responsibilities while also finding time for self-care can seem overwhelming. In this session, we’ll focus on practical strategies for streamlining schedules, fitting in essential subjects, preparing for the holidays at home, and prioritizing quality time with family without guilt.
1. Simplify and Prioritize Classroom Tasks
To ease the stress of busy holiday schedules, it’s essential to prioritize and streamline classroom responsibilities. Here’s how to get started:
a) Set Key Learning Objectives
Define your top learning goals for December and focus on essential lessons to cover them. Instead of trying to cover every subject fully, decide on your primary academic goals and allow some flexibility in non-core subjects.
Example: If improving reading comprehension is a key goal, focus your lessons around holiday-themed reading passages or storybooks to reinforce reading skills in a festive way.
b) Use Integrated Lessons
Combine subjects where possible to maximize time and keep students engaged. Integrated lessons allow you to address multiple objectives in a single activity, reducing the need for separate lesson planning.
Example: Create a holiday-themed math and literacy activity, like reading a story that involves counting or measurements, or use holiday recipes to teach fractions and measurements in math.
c) Plan Short, Engaging Activities
Attention spans are often shorter in December, so plan shorter activities that keep students interested without requiring lengthy prep or transitions. Simple, hands-on activities can make learning fun and maintain focus even in a festive classroom environment.
2. Streamline Grading and Prep Work
Grading and lesson prep can quickly add to holiday stress, so finding ways to reduce this load is essential.
a) Use Self-Grading Activities
Incorporate self-check activities where students can assess their work. For example, use digital resources or peer-review worksheets for certain exercises. This frees up time and promotes independence.
b) Batch Similar Tasks
Try batching similar tasks, like grading a single subject for all students before moving to the next. This approach reduces decision fatigue and lets you finish grading in less time.
c) Automate Where Possible
If your school uses an online grading platform, input grades and notes in real-time during class activities. This eliminates the need for extra work at home and ensures grades are up-to-date without requiring a separate grading session.
3. Holiday Planning for Home
Balancing holiday prep at home while managing school responsibilities can be challenging. Here are some ways to make holiday planning more manageable:
a) Create a Simple Holiday Checklist
Break down holiday planning into small, manageable tasks with a checklist that includes categories like gifts, decorations, and meal prep. Tackle one task per day to avoid feeling overwhelmed closer to the holiday.
Example: Set up a checklist with “Holiday Shopping,” “Gift Wrapping,” “Decorating,” and “Meal Prep,” and assign one small task to each day or weekend leading up to the holidays.
b) Involve Family in Holiday Prep
Holiday planning doesn’t have to be a solo activity. Involve family members, including children, in tasks like gift-wrapping, decorating, and meal prep. Not only does this lighten the load, but it also creates bonding moments.
c) Limit Extravagance for Simplicity’s Sake
Consider streamlining holiday plans at home. Stick to core traditions that bring joy without overextending yourself with elaborate decorations, meals, or multiple events.
4. Setting Boundaries with Schoolwork
It’s easy to feel guilty about stepping away from school responsibilities during the holiday break, but setting boundaries ensures you have the mental energy for both personal and professional life.
a) Designate “No School Work” Times
Set specific “no school work” hours during your evenings or weekends, and let yourself unplug fully. Communicate this with colleagues, if necessary, so everyone respects each other’s boundaries.
Example: Commit to avoiding school work after 5 p.m. or on Sunday afternoons, allowing yourself dedicated time for rest and personal activities.
b) Limit Email Checking
Resist the urge to check work emails during designated family time. Schedule specific times to check messages if needed but avoid responding or engaging outside of those hours.
c) Make a Holiday Week Plan
Before leaving for break, create a simple plan for your first week back, so you’re not spending holiday time thinking about school. By organizing lesson plans and resources in advance, you can ease into the new term feeling refreshed and ready.
5. Prioritize Quality Family and Self-Care Time Without Guilt
This season is a time to connect with loved ones, and taking this time for yourself can benefit both you and your students. Here’s how to prioritize family and self-care without the guilt:
a) Practice Positive Self-Talk
Remind yourself that taking time for family, friends, and self-care makes you a better teacher in the long run. Practicing gratitude and mindfulness can help shift focus from guilt to fulfillment.
b) Schedule Special Family Moments
Plan a few specific family activities that are simple but meaningful, like a movie night, a baking day, or a holiday outing. These don’t require much planning, but they create memories and help you feel connected.
Example: Set aside one night each week during the holiday season as “family night,” where everyone can enjoy a favorite meal, game, or movie together.
c) Engage in Personal Traditions and Self-Care
Take time to enjoy a personal tradition, whether it’s reading a favorite book, journaling, or taking a walk each morning. These small rituals help you recharge and bring peace during a hectic time.
6. A Few Quick, Practical Tips to Wrap Up
Batch Gift Wrapping: Set aside one day for wrapping all holiday gifts at once, avoiding last-minute scrambling.
Plan Ahead for January: Prepare simple, low-stress activities for the first week back to ease into the new year smoothly.
Accept Help: If friends or family offer to assist with holiday tasks or school prep, accept it with gratitude.
Enjoy the Moment: Remember that holiday time is precious. Let go of perfection, enjoy the season, and know that your students benefit when you return recharged and refreshed.
Conclusion: Embrace the Holidays with Less Stress and More Joy
Balancing the holiday season with classroom duties, home preparation, and family time doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By setting boundaries, simplifying tasks, and prioritizing self-care, you can enjoy this time of year with less stress and more fulfillment. When we take care of ourselves, we bring our best to our students and loved ones, making the season more meaningful for everyone.
DID YOU KNOW…
Did you know I organize a FREE Facebook Group for Mastering Classroom Management? We are gearing up for our school year quarter sessions, so if you’re looking for a simple way to improve your classroom management join the already 200+ teachers that have signed up: Mastering Classroom Management Facebook Group
Your ebook GIFT: Empowering Primary Teachers: Effectively Manage Disruptive and Violent Behaviors in the Classroom
FINALLY…
If you enjoyed the tips in this post, you might also enjoy this series of videos Classroom Management by Design for Primary Teachers:
Student Gifts: To Gift or Not to Gift?
The Power of Gratitude in the Classroom (Year Round!)
Reframing the Subconscious Mind: A Primary Teacher's Guide to Personal and Classroom Transformation
Nurturing the Multi-Sensory Abilities of Primary Students
Mastering Parent-Teacher Conferences
The Power of Silence: A Step-By-Step Approach to Incorporating Silence in Your Classroom
The Power of Silence in the Classroom
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Teach~Relax~Repeat
Lauren
