Over the holiday break I make an conscious effort to disconnect and reconnect with myself, family and friends although I have to admit that I occasionally take a look at Facebook because it makes me smile to see holiday pictures of my friends and their families together. One Facebook post I saw which made me stop and click on was by Mindshift. Below was the post which originated from a blog named Famous in First by Chris Pombonyo who is a first grade teacher in Orlando Florida.
This analogy of a Glow Stick relating to a teacher is quite accurate although I think this could also be the used in the case of students as well. I have been a classroom teacher and still in the field of education and I can not agree more with this statement of how a break can recharge a teacher's outlook and energy.
I have two daughters, one who is 12 and another who is 13. Being mother of these two amazing young ladies, I look forward to a time when we can power down our devices and just be present in our surroundings. I was crushed when both were given homework to do over the break which required online research which meant they needed their devices. The homework was not just to read a book, but actual presentations for a final assessment pieces.
This is my plea as a mother, teacher, and ed techie, please consider this break time these students have just as precious and needed as your time. If you want your students to come back refreshed, I do not think piling on an assessment task over the break is going to do it. I would not have minded a task of reading a book or writing a journal or blog post of what they did over the holiday break.
I promise to make them read a book, engage in face to face interaction, and provide them with learning opportunities which involve active learning experiences. Just to give you an idea we of what were accomplished over break we:
This analogy of a Glow Stick relating to a teacher is quite accurate although I think this could also be the used in the case of students as well. I have been a classroom teacher and still in the field of education and I can not agree more with this statement of how a break can recharge a teacher's outlook and energy.
I have two daughters, one who is 12 and another who is 13. Being mother of these two amazing young ladies, I look forward to a time when we can power down our devices and just be present in our surroundings. I was crushed when both were given homework to do over the break which required online research which meant they needed their devices. The homework was not just to read a book, but actual presentations for a final assessment pieces.
This is my plea as a mother, teacher, and ed techie, please consider this break time these students have just as precious and needed as your time. If you want your students to come back refreshed, I do not think piling on an assessment task over the break is going to do it. I would not have minded a task of reading a book or writing a journal or blog post of what they did over the holiday break.
I promise to make them read a book, engage in face to face interaction, and provide them with learning opportunities which involve active learning experiences. Just to give you an idea we of what were accomplished over break we:
- visited a Dolphin Research Center in Grassy Key
- toured Turtle hospital on Marathon Key
- went deep sea fishing and caught a yellow tail snapper
- re-kindled relationships with cousins
- golfed with my family
- swam for hours
- collected sea shells
- stung by a jelly fish
- tied to catch a iguana
- ate for the first time lobster and crab
- learned the difference between a salt water and chlorine pool
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