Snow days are a nice little visit and break; but when does
it become too much? With the threat of another 8-16 inches on the way and two
snow days (both white days) already come and gone, it’s getting a bit hectic!
How do teachers effectively manage classes that get out of sync? As I have two
senior classes, one on red and one on white days, the white day class is always
follows the red day’s activities. Now there are two snow days that were lost to
white days for planned parent-teacher scheduling (which caused the white days
to become back to back but in the end was also snowed out). Should I try to slow down the red day class,
or speed up to catch the white day class back into sync with the red? Or does
it matter that they are off by two days? I was thinking of finding some
activities related to Catching Fire or The Hunger Games since we’ve
just started the second book in the series, to give the white day class time to
catch up. There are several crossword puzzles that I’ve seen on teaching
websites or other such activities that may be able to help the students better remember
the first novel since it’s been about a year that they have read it (even
though we recapped and watched part of the movie).
The snow days have also caused a bit of havoc and forced re-planning
for the freshman and the Holocaust unit. We were supposed to be starting the
research project this week, but I’m not quite sure how it is going to play out
now that they have had so many snow days- but the laptop carts are checked out
specifically for this week only. It seems that this break (as I know many
students were looking forward to Spring Break next week, and they have it two
months in a row now!) is almost as bad as sub planning: almost more hassle than
it’s worth. But I am glad to have a bit of time off to work on filling out the
KPTP. I also got to play around with a cool idea that I’ve been tossing around
for an assessment of sorts: having students create trading cards of the topic
that they are researching. It’d be a fun display for the end result of the
group research projects as well as providing something easy to run copies off
for the entire class. Then they can have the information in their folders
rather than on a poster the students may see for a few days in the classroom
before it’s taken down for something else. There was another website I was told
about that had some interesting tools like the one linked above, but I left the
information in the classroom. I’ll have to update it here for everyone to check
out as soon as I get the link!
I'm with you! I have no idea how teachers seems to balance and juggle all of the changes that come with snow days. It's a bit disheartening thinking about having to cut out a fun activity; however, I have come to accept that I have to pick up the pieces and move along.
ReplyDeleteHaving the experience of "snow days" has been great - although it doesn't seem like it. We're all learning the checks and balances of teaching, and where to draw the line with some assignments. I'm glad to know that you have some ideas on how to get your students back to where they need to be.
Best of luck! Stay warm! :)
I can totally relate to your blog. I have had to reschedule my formal observation twice now (possibly three times if school cancels tomorrow). I will say though that dong a 21 day unit has allowed me the ability to cut some things out and shift and keep the more important aspects of the plan, therefore, so far so good. The juniors that are in the middle of their research project though may be a little more difficult. I may have to adjust the next unit that I am planning but I am already taking that into consideration just in case.
ReplyDeleteI also am using these snow days as an opportunity to catch up with some KPTP work and that part has paid off. Good luck and see you in the halls.
I completly understand the are snow days worht the hassle? question. Sometimes they are kinda of nice and other times they put a real kink in our lesson plans.
ReplyDeleteMy suggestion on the red and white day classes, don't try to keep them on the same page, just go from where each class is at. They may be days apart but its OK! This is one part of teaching we have to get used to and learn how to just go with the flow sometimes. In the end, things will work out for the best. You will see.
I like the idea of the trading cards for you holocaust unit, sounds like a really neat idea. If you would like, I do have some pictures that I did for our tower time class from my visit to the Dachau Concentration Camp. If you would like to use them just let me know. Our tower time group is done with them.
Hope everything works out well for you. Stay warm and enjoy a little extra time off. Have a great week!!!