Depending on where you are in the world, January through March can feel like a grind. The days are cold and grey and short. There are few holidays to look forward to. Honestly, I did not know how to enjoy teaching and I would dread this time of year.
But over the years, I have developed a few strategies to help make the winter stretch more enjoyable and even exciting. It not only improves my working life but that of my students. Because let’s face it, our students feed off of our energy. If we aren’t feeling it then neither are they.
So here are my top tips for making the most of your winter teaching months. Some may require a little advanced planning or spending a little money on your classroom, but others can be spontaneous or planned on short notice.
Bring Cozy into Your Classroom
The majority of your time is spent in your classroom so make it a space you enjoy spending time in. Here are a few ideas for creating a cozy and comfortable space:
– Soft lightings such as lamps and fairy lights create a cozy and comfortable space. You can put up fluorescent light covers that reduce the harsh glare and “sterile” feeling.
– Scent is strongly connected to emotions. Use air fresheners or essential oils diffuser scents that evoke positive emotions. I personally love a simple french vanilla, sugar cookie, or cinnamon scent.
– Put up wall decor that brings you joy. I have a colorful wall of quotes and memes that brightens up my room. Some of my colleagues have brought in artwork, posters, and fabric prints that liven up their spaces.
– Remove the clutter. I am guilty of accumulating lots of stuff in my classroom and papers on my desk and the disorganization and piles create discomfort and anxiety. They are visual reminders of unmade decisions. Take some time and clear it out. You can even get some of your students to help during their lunch or the last 5 minutes of class. Everyone will feel better in an organized, clutter-free space.
Bring in the Natural World
– House plants contribute to a more welcoming ambiance and can help to purify the air. If you don’t have windows or do not have a green thumb (like me), a high-quality artificial plant will do the trick. Though there are many plants that need very little light to thrive.
– If your classroom has windows, bring up the blinds and let in as much natural light as possible. Reduced exposure to vitamin D and sunlight can to increased depression, irritability, and Seasonal Affective Disorder.
– Creating and growing a terrarium allows you to have a miniature garden right in your teaching space. They vary in size, so you could even have a few throughout your classroom. Artificial terrariums have the same aesthetic impact if you are without sunlight in your space.
– A class pet can bring joy and life to both your students and your space. While not all schools allow them nor are all classrooms ideal for keeping them, pets can add character and excitement to a classroom. They can become classroom mascots as well as an opportunity for practicing responsibility.
Schedule Professional Development
Breaks are important – even if they are just a day or two. And this part of the year has very few holidays. One way to build in breaks, without using all of your personal time, is to seek out professional development opportunities.
First, consider your goals in your professional development plan or your school’s improvement plan and look into PD that would help support you in those areas. With proper planning and working with your administrators, you can spend a few days becoming a better teacher while getting a little break from the classroom. This could be as simple as spending a day doing virtual training or, likewise, as big as going to a large conference across the county.
Take time to do the research – it is absolutely worth it!
Plan Fun & Exciting Activities
If you are stuck in a rut, then your students will get stuck in that rut with you. No one will be happy. One easy way to boost morale is to incorporate activities that get you and your students excited.
Some examples of quick activities that require minimal planning are learning games, read-alouds, and video clips. One of my classes really enjoys making a game out of our lessons and, when I leaned into that, it made teaching so much easier and more fun.
Reading aloud to students of any age supports their fluency and listening comprehension skills. This activity is not exclusive to ELA teachers. There are novels, magazine articles, non-fiction books, and picture books that fit any subject or topic. You and your students would benefit from spending a few minutes a day reading a book together.
Also, look for videos that get your students engaged and excited about what you are teaching. Videos can be powerful and motivating tools for students.
Other activities can be long-term or involve more planning. If you have the autonomy to determine your scope and sequence, try to plan your favorite units during this time of year. Or try a new unit or project that gets you excited. Don’t be afraid to start something new that your students such as teaching about schema-based math problem-solving.
A few years ago, my co-teacher and I had our students work on self-led inquiry projects every Friday. It gave the students an opportunity to focus on an area of their own interest while building research and inquiry skills. And students looked forward to it every Friday. Also, consider field trips during this time of year. It gives you and your students something to look forward to and an opportunity to change things up for a day.
Remember to Take Breaks (for yourself and your students)
The law of diminishing returns tells us that, at a certain point, teaching is going less effective because students are mentally tired. Therefore, structured breaks and activities are ideal for these moments. Take everyone for a walk, play “Simon Says,” or have students share jokes. Additionally, you may allow everyone 5-10 minutes to enjoy a quiet activity of their choosing. The returns on this practice are great.
Take Care of Yourself
Remember that you are not just a teacher and you need to spend time on other areas of your life. Especially early on in your career, you may feel like there is so much to do for teaching and that you need to get it all done. Even if you need to spend all of your evenings and weekends working. You don’t. I promise.
If you must, schedule time a few evenings a week or a few hours on the weekends to work. But once your work time is up, move on.
Exercise. Spend time with your friends and family. Travel. Enjoy a hobby. Take a class. Redecorate your house or apartment. I am a planner and I like to plan one exciting activity for every weekend. That way, I always have something to look forward to – even if it is just coffee and donuts at the bookstore. These activities will keep you from burning out and replenish your energy and enthusiasm. You actually need to take time for yourself to be a better teacher.
Enjoy your winter stretch!
