The end is near... December 14-23

The next week and a half will feel like both the longest and shortest weeks of the year!  It's crazy and fun, and absolutely exhausting.  It's full of excitement, but with that comes the extra management of young kids during the holidays.  10 more days of chaos = 10 days of blissful break.... By December 23, we will all be ready!

Be sure to take time over the winter break to rejuvenate.  Relax and spend time with family and friends.  Rest.  Decompress.  Restore.

Then, when January comes, be ready to hit the ground running!  As we know, January and February are often the most productive learning times - so let's be ready.  We've had lots of ideas and initiatives to process - pick one or two things to focus on and be ready to implement when we get back.  

I have a deep admiration for the dedication, compassion, hard work, and expertise you bring to work every day.  Take care of yourselves, restore yourselves, so we can sustain that momentum through the next half of the year.

Hang in there!
Sue

Keep Learning Going During Holiday Times

taken from Responsive Classroom

What can you do to help your students stay on track and learn at their best during this season? We've found that an extra measure of calmness, consistency, and structure can work wonders. Here are some strategies you might want to try...

Stick to Routines
As much as you can, stick to the routines that you've established to shape the school day. For instance, if a daily Morning Meeting is part of your routine, you may find it's even more helpful now. 
Notice and Reinforce Success

• Be specific, describing the behavior you want to commend in detail and explaining why it's helpful. For instance, "I saw classmates helping each other wipe off tables after snack. That really fits our classroom rule that says 'Take care of each other.'"
• Use positive words that do not single out any one child. For instance, "Lots of people lined up quickly today and waited quietly with hands and bodies under control. That gives us more time on the playground!"

Revisit Hopes, Dreams, and Classroom Rules
Any time children are going off track is a good time to review behavioral expectations. When planning such reviews, it's tempting to think about what the children "should" be able to do by now (It's December—they should know how to sit quietly for sharing!). But it's much more productive to keep your focus on what the children can do right now and what they need from you to help them do better.
Keep Expectations High but AppropriateAppreciate the extra energy your students may have during holidays or other exciting times and anticipate that they'll need to expend some of that energy.
Read Aloud

Engaging read-alouds can really help children focus and calm themselves. Look for extra opportunities to read aloud, just for a few minutes.
Keep the Learning Going

It's natural for children's behavior to veer a bit off track during exciting or stressful times. During such times, observe your students, hold them firmly but kindly to classroom expectations, and make a few simple adjustments in your teaching practice.

And above all, try to have fun the next few weeks!  It's the most wonderful time of the year!

Sue