Winter Blues

Mid-December is often the most diffcult time to teach. It's right between the holidays, and most kids ( and teachers) are looking forward to the Christmas break. So is anyone really paying attention to instruction? And even if they are retaining the information, will they remember lessons taught before the break. As a classroom teacher for the past 10 years, I would say there is a 50/50 chance that the students will retain information taught before the Christmas break. However, most knowledge (obtained in the month of December) is lost between the sheets of wrapping paper lying underneath the Christmas tree. It breaks my heart to start all over again in January as if I've never taught the lessons. So to limit the amount of information lost after 10 cups of cocoa,(1) Review the last lesson before the break. (2)Take out some of the graded worksheets and reveiw the concepts. (3)Surf the internet and review major concepts (i.e. cell, atom, mendelian genetics).(4) Expand on teachable momemts (5) Enjoy your family