Curriculum Connection
Volume 1, Issue 2
Winter Break Edition
Self-Care Inspiration
We hope you take some time over break to help yourself feel inspired! When we feel inspired, we feel full of hope and possibility. Inspiration helps us to feel motivated and propelled to act. Scott Barry Kaufman (2011), scientific director of the Imagination Institute, explains inspiration in this way: "Inspiration awakens us to new possibilities by allowing us to transcend our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration propels a person from apathy to possibility and transforms the way we perceive our capabilities."
An invitation for you: Inspire yourself.
Over break, change your environment to a different coffee shop, grocery store, or library.
Learn something new, such as ten words in a new language, how to juggle, or your city's history.
Create a vision board (or a humor board). What are your big dreams and desires (What makes you laugh and smile)? Find visual representations and put them on paper or create them electronically.
Listen to a new form of music or try a new art form.
Keep an inspirational notebook.
Follow ten people on social media who inspire you.
Go beyond your comfort zone-get out of your usual routine. Try something you have never done before.
Watch a TED Talk-
Shawn Achor's (2012) The Happy Secret to Better Work
Ingrid Fetell Lee's (2018) Where Joy Hides and How to Find It
Elizabeth Gilbert's (2009) Your Elusive Creative Genius
Source: 180 days of Self-Care for busy teachers
Not every student looks forward to winter break
Many of us count the days until a school break. Especially winter break because we have two weeks off of school to spend time with family we may not have seen for awhile, we can relax and recharge while we are at home, we may travel, binge watch your favorite show, watch your children in a tournament, the list can go on and on.
It is important to remember that not everyone looks forward to breaks from school. Some like the structure and routine that school brings to each day, seeing friends and teachers, the after school activities, or the daily lunch.
Here are some tips:
Consider how you are talking about winter break. Ask general questions like, "What are your plans over winter break? or "How can you help someone over break?"
Behavior is communication. If a student is acting out, be a listening ear. Engage in a conversation to provide an opportunity for the student to open up.
Brainstorm a winter break to do list with your students.
Please, do not assign homework over break.
Ways to encourage reading and writing over winter break
Introduce a challenge to your students over break. In an effort to continue to have students reading for 20 minutes a day here are some suggestions for ways to encourage reading and writing over break.
Set a challenge for students to read and record the book(s) and minutes read each day.
Have students take a picture of them reading, at the table, on the couch, reading to a sibling, a family member, to stuffed animals, dolls, toys, etc.
Have students read the recipe and help bake
Have students write a grocery list and help shop for the groceries
Have students read instructions for a game, putting together something.
Have the students write to a family member, or friend
Have the students write a thank you note for a gift they received.
Have the students make up a game-- draw the game board, write out the instructions and have everyone play the game
Have the students keep a journal
Welcoming students back from break
Recognizing that not all students enjoy the winter break when welcoming students back, use a different perspective when returning in the new year.
Instead of asking.....Ask
What was your favorite gift? What is something that you would like to share about your winter break?
What gift did you get from your.....? What was one good, happy or exciting thing that happened over winter break?
What did you eat for your holiday meal? Share one reason you are happy to be back in class.
What is the best thing you did over winter break? What is one goal you have for yourself for the rest of the year?
What was the worst/least thing you liked about winter break? Is there anything you would like me to know for the second half of this school year?
Source: We are teachers
Thank you for all you do for our students!
Happy Holidays to you and yours!
We look forward to seeing you in 2024!