15 short point in how to spent holidays
Answers
By studying
By going somewhere
By reading
By talking to our relatives
By talking to our friends
By talking to our neighbours
By practicing different activities
Many more
Rest. Relaxation. Rejuvenation. We look forward to our holiday breaks as a way to refresh ourselves mentally, physically and spiritually. We look forward to spending time with our families; staying at home adjusting to a new routine of no alarm clocks, no papers to grade, no lessons to plan.
When we come back from our holiday break, we’re ready. We’re going to begin a new unit plan, or we’ve adjusted an old one or our guest speaker has been scheduled. The point is we’re ready to be with our students and begin again.
Why then did students seem so tense, so anxious before their most recent holiday break? No, it wasn’t a sense of impending joy they were feeling, but more a sense of impending doom.
I noticed that many students’ trepidation was on overdrive. About a week before our scheduled break, I stood outside of my office during passing time. But this particular morning I noticed the hallway language. Sure, every once in a while one might hear a curse word said by a negligent student. But, one “bomb” after another was exploding in my little corner of the world. I found myself encouraging students to be aware of their language, be courteous to their peers, and be on their way to their next class. I mentioned to my colleague that something must be up, “just a full moon,” he quipped.
However, as the days wore on, it became evident there was more to this than just a full moon. The students were surly, fretful and some were downright sad. While I was looking forward to all the wonderful things that come with time off, what could some of my students be looking forward to? I began to wonder.
As much as our students might complain about school, about teachers and about homework, let’s not forget about all of the things that we do provide; things that can’t be measured in data-driven reports and standardized tests. Schools provide a routine, a scheduled haven from life’s curve balls. We provide directions, both written and verbal, on what to do. And let’s face it, on some days that may be all a student can do. We provide socialization, the opportunity to see friends and catch up on the latest news. We give students a reason to get up in the morning.
Therefore, the holiday break could be a stinging slap of change from the warm embrace of their reality. Their routine has now changed. A routine created by a bell system now allows students to do whatever they want; they are making decisions and perhaps allowing temptations too challenging to overcome. Directions are no longer clear to them, quite possible that no adult is home to offer important directives. Now the student becomes the adult taking care of siblings and in charge of household chores. Finally, socialization is cut off. Being at home may be a stressful, even violent place where basic social skills are non-existent.