Holiday Thoughts

 I may seem like a bore, but I do not like Halloween. I loved dressing my kids up when they were younger, but I don't really get into costumes and things like that. I am not a fan of horror movies and all of the blood and guts.

I think the reason I am hesitant about Halloween and also celebrating any holiday big in the classroom began during my first two years of teaching when I taught in a self-contained PreK classroom. I worked with students with a variety of needs and many social-emotional challenges as well as difficult home lives. What I learned as a very young teacher is that what we think is going to be fun as adults can be scary to children. Costumes, even fun, non-violent ones, can be off-putting for children because people look different. Think about kids' reactions to Santa Claus...

Parties and different activities can be very fun for some students and also very overwhelming for others. Many students thrive on routine. They know what to expect and, especially with 2nd graders, it helps to develop independence. Changing routines impacts kids.

Does that mean we don't celebrate? Absolutely not, but it is a reminder that celebrating, parties, changes in routine, even for good reasons will impact children. We will dress up today and have a party. My students have been talking about Halloween all month long. There will be treats and games and costumes. With all of this going on, I will keep my eye out for students who may need a little more support, a little break, or who just don't like it. I get it. 

Tomorrow, we will get back into a routine, which will take a few days as the candy rush, exhaustion and fun take a toll. As teachers, we play so many roles. We are a source of stability and consistency. Today will be busy and hopefully fun. I know many teachers, including me, are hanging on until it's over. Happy Halloween.

Taking a Break

 This school year, it has been a goal to set and keep boundaries. As I have focused not only on my own mental health and maintaining boundaries, I have found that I have more time for myself and my family at home. I am more present. I am also sleeping better than I ever have.

When I first started teaching, I would bring work home and often do it early in the morning before my kids got up. It was hard to turn my mind off. I am dedicated to my teaching and want to do the best I can for my students. But at times there was a personal cost. I was getting burned out and really wasn't able to show up for the students like I wanted to. I am finding taking a break recharges me more than I realized. It allows me to be present with my students.

Not doing work over the weekend is hard and at times I feel like I may be unprepared, but it is also life-giving. I can start my week with a to do list, but I'm not stressed over if it will get done like I used to be. 

Taking time to get away from our house and visit people and places is another way that I am finding rest and fun. Last weekend our family visited NYC and this weekend we took a day trip to visit friends a few hours away. I am also reading and listening to podcasts about rest and building a life outside of work. I am a person who teaches and loves what I do, but I am a person first.

How do you take a break? I think this can apply to any profession. Taking a break bring a richness to our work that I cannot possess without the space. 

SEL Unit- Knowing yourself

 I just posted a new SEL unit on TPT and I'm so excited. This is a collection of lessons that I have put together based on the New York State Social Emotional Benchmarks. It is also the lessons that I see are most important for kids and even adults. This unit I use at the beginning of the year and I have several others I am developing/tweaking that will come next. 

From my own personal growth journey, I have learned a lot. Over the past 5 to 10 years I have done a lot of personal work, reading books, listening to podcasts, journaling and really discovering what makes me tick and how can I be healthy from the inside out. As I have gained new insight, I wished at times that I learned this crucial information much younger. While I can't go back and I also acknowledge the struggles have made me stronger, I can take my learning and pass it on. First I try to do this with my own children and then with my students.

There has been so much research on the importance of SEL. I see it and try to do my part for my students. This unit is a reflection of that. We have a different SEL program that we use as a district. 2nd Step is great, but there are times that I find some gaps or even looking at what foundational beliefs do kids need to have to build upon. This unit is a reflection of that. I have done each of these lessons with different ages and am refining them for my current class. If you are interested in this unit, check it out here on TPT.