‘Tis the Week before winter break
‘Tis the week before winter break and the energy in our classroom is high. Voices are louder than normal and arguments break out frequently. My plan is for students to record their first podcast episodes in small groups this week. The temptation to set this plan aside for January and focus on more independent (and hopefully quiet work) is real. Instead, I took some time this weekend to envision how I‘d like the week to go and then made a plan for how I might make it happen. I started with with following question:
What do I really want students to learn this week?
How do I want them to feel this week?
How do I want to feel this week?
Q1: What do I really want students to learn this week?
Last week we produced our first podcast episode reviewing a short film as a whole class. This week, I want students to work in small groups to write and produce an episode on a different short film.
I want them to:
Enjoy and study their short film.
Jot notes about character and theme.
Meet with their group, share ideas and make new discoveries together.
Draft and revise the script.
Gain comfort with Soundtrap (our recording platform) by experimenting with recording, adding music, and editing. I can set up times when they do this on their own (enter headphones, quiet room and peace for me).
Additionally, I want students to enjoy lots of independent reading time and create a piece of writing (poem/ story/ letter…) that they can give as a gift to someone special in their lives.
Q2: How do I want them to feel?
This time of year is not merry for everyone. As teachers, we are keenly aware of this fact. Many students express frustration that their holiday will not reflect those of their classmates (filed with love and an abundance of gifts and joy). With this in mind, I want my students to feel loved this week. I want them to feel joy in what we are doing as a class. I want them to feel a sense of community so I am planning on lots of read alouds and reading and writing poetry with music in the background. Rather than Christmas music, I’ll opt for my new Spotify favorite playlist: “Background Jazz”.
I will also leave a post-it on my desk reading: “Look for joy.” This is for those moments when I need a reminder to take a breath and refocus to keep my frustrations at bay. If I don't see joy, we will pivot to an activity that brings us together such as a dance break, a favorite picture book, another episode of our favorite podcast or a hands-on word study activity.
Q3: How do I want to feel this week?
In a word, calm. Joyful and productive too, but mostly, I do not want to feel overwhelmed or count down the days until break. I want to be present because to quote my new favorite show, The Bear, “every second counts”. Every moment we spend with our students is an opportunity for connection and making a positive impact on their lives.
These are my thoughts this Sunday evening before heading to school tomorrow. I have my plans set for the week but maybe the secret to enjoying this week is to accept that things will be chaotic at times and I may have to change course. There will be upsets at lunch and recess but we will deal with them. And I will tap into my tools for self care which has recently meant popping in my earbuds during my prep, and cleaning off my desk while listening to Taylor Swift’s album Folklore.
So dear teacher colleagues, I wish you a wonderful week before break. Take care of yourselves! I am with you!
