Students and kids aren’t the only ones who have a problem bouncing back into a school schedule after a long break. After weeks of relaxing, waking up when you want to, and copious amounts of “me” time, teachers are sometimes also reluctant to start school again. When you’ve had a long break, you can feel like you’ve lost your teaching groove. Here’s how to get it back:
Make Teaching Resolutions
Making resolutions is a great motivator to reflect on your life and things you’d like to do differently. As you make your personal resolutions, use this time to also reflect on your first half of the school year. Are there some things you’d like to do differently? What about things that were great that you’d like to continue? Some big picture goals will help you focus your lesson plans and make preparing for the start of school much easier.
Make Your Home Away From Home
Leaving the comfort of your home will be much easier if you make your classroom equally inviting. Decorate the bulletin boards, the walls, and buy some new books for your library. When your classroom looks like its ready to start school, you’ll feel like you’re ready to start too. Plus, tackling small things like setting up new shelves or reorganizing the supplies will help mentally prepare you for the big things.
Plan Ahead
The only way you can be ready for the start of school after a long break is to make sure that you are actually ready. Stock up on all supplies (like a classroom pack of Cadoozles Mechanical Pencils), make copies of all assignments and materials needed for the first week, and have lesson plans completed. Being prepared and having a plan will help bring your students out of vacation mode too. Also take time to personally prepare yourself. Choose your clothes for the week before it starts so you can have extra time in the morning, get a good night’s sleep, and eat a big breakfast- you’ll be ready to face each day with a smile!
Make Time For Fun
Pulling students (and yourself) out of vacation mode can be extremely difficult. Starting the week off with tests and a lot of homework can make this transition even harder. Remind your students how fun school can be by starting the week off with a fun, but educational, activity. If school is just as fun as their winter break was, they’ll look forward to starting again. Don’t know where to start? Here are some ways to make learning fun.
Reward Your Students
The start of a new term can feel like starting from square one, especially behavior-wise. Students who haven’t seen each other since the break started will be eager to use the school day to catch up and socialize instead of learn. Also, after weeks of hanging out and doing nothing, the transition back to assignments and homework can be rough. Start the first day armed with a behavior management plan and a supply of rewards for good behavior. If you give them something they actually like, like a pack of Cadoozles Mechanical Pencils, available in a variety of patterns, your first week will be smooth sailing.
Reward Yourself
After all of the hard work preparing your classroom, your lessons, and your students for a new term of teaching and learning, take time to reward yourself. After your first week back, treat yourself to a massage, a night in with your feet up and a movie marathon, or whatever you do to relax. Knowing that you’ve got a relaxing weekend coming up will make the week go by faster and it will rejuvenate you to tackle the next week with as much energy and determination.
The first day after a long break doesn’t have to feel like starting over. With some reflection and planning, the start of school will be a fun experience for all!