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Literary Sherri Looks Ahead

It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . . papers are all graded, tests are all taken, report cards are finished, textbooks are turned in, electronic files are organized, the classroom has been packed into carefully categorized boxes (that will seem chaotic in August!) and cleaned so that it virtually sparkles, the count-down is in single digits, and you and your students are actually enjoying all the various end-of-year activities . . . oh, and it’s time to start planning for next year!

After 23 years of teaching, the best advice I can give as you plan for next year is this: Take some well-deserved time off and enjoy unplugging from all things school-related this summer! Seriously . . . there are 8,658 things you need to get done this summer in order to be well-prepared for next school year . . . but the single most important item on that list is to get some much-needed R&R!

You have easily averaged 60 hours or more of school-related work a week. You have given and given and given and you are exhausted to the point of complete physical, mental, emotional, and/or spiritual depletion. So before you spend the bulk of your summer working a seasonal job, strategizing for next semester, planning an entire year’s worth of lessons, creating 9 months’ worth of fabulous bulletin boards, re-organizing all your digital files, scheduling fall field trips, attending inservice days and professional development workshops, and spending countless hours on back-to-school tasks, give yourself some real time to truly enjoy a restful break. Put your feet up and read a few books (not because you want to assess whether or not they will make a great read-aloud or will supplement a unit perfectly) . . . soak up some sunshine, enjoy those activities you always wish you had time for during the school year, relish time spent with family and friends . . . because the single best gift you can give yourself, your family, and next year’s students is returning to the classroom rested, relaxed, and reenergized!

Oh, and when you are ready to get down to brass tacks and put several hours of thought, reflection, and research into some serious planning for next school year, here’s a must-have resource for you to start your year off on the right foot:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Classroom-Management-Tools-for-Positive-Behavior-Management-in-Middle-School-436928


Tools for Positive Behavior Management is packed with tools and tips to help you work effectively with tweens and teens to quietly diffuse potential mishaps, provide students with the encouraging recognition they need, create a positive classroom environment, set your students up for success, and save your sanity! Check it out . . . but not until you have taken some well-deserved time to rest and recharge!

Be sure to check out other ideas for looking ahead, as well as some fabulous resources for next year, from The Literary League:

17 comments:

  1. Sherri,
    I find it hard not to think about next year over the summer. Reading is one of the few things that helps me escape that part of my brain.
    Brynn Allison
    The Literary Maven

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    Replies
    1. I'm in the same boat! I'm currently reading "Whistling Past the Graveyard" by Susan Crandall and thoroughly enjoying it! What tops your reading list this summer?!?

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  2. Great advice! I am looking forward to some downtime in a few weeks, happy summer to you!

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  3. I appreciate your R & R advice so much! I have always wanted to be a stay-at-home Mom but couldn't afford it so I have always been thankful for summers to spend with my boys. I so need that time to focus on them. :)

    -Lisa
    Mrs. Spangler in the Middle

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    1. I love that your boys are your #1 priority in the summer! The memories you make with them during those few short weeks will last a lifetime! Enjoy it to the fullest!

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  4. You're right about BOTH being prepared AND unplugging from school enough to be mentally and physically stronger! I've been hoarding gift cards over time to try to go get a massage soon! Have a wonderful break!

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    1. Sara, I hope you have enough gift cards for a series of massages to help you unwind and relax this summer! Enjoy every moment -- you'll be a better teacher in August because of it!

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  5. Excellent advice! And from someone with such experience... I will take it! Thank you for the reminder. I hope you have a fabulously relaxing and rejuvenating summer. (P.S - blog is looking gorgeous!)

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    1. Thank you for your kind words about my blog, Stacey. You could build a hugely successful second business as a designer, so I'll gladly take a compliment from you any day! Enjoy your summer to the fullest!

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  6. I definitely agree that we as educators need to take some time off to recharge our batteries! Thanks for the reminder.

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    1. Kristy, I hope you're able to enjoy a bit of downtime this summer! Enjoy the sunshine and make some lifetime memories!

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  7. Sherri, I always enjoy your blog posts, and all of your products are spot on. I sincerely appreciate your approach to management. The fact that it is so easy to apply in all classrooms? - Well that just makes it even better! Gina

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    1. Thank you, Gina -- we're mutual fans because I adored your idea for planning both macro schedules and micro schedules!

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  8. You are absolutely right, Sherri. I don't relax nearly as much as I should during the summer, and then I still feel tired in September! Thanks for the reminder!
    Darlene
    ELABuffet

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    1. Darlene, your idea to make back-to-school copies very early in the summer is so perfect because then teachers can put that out of their mind and relax and unwind a bit. I hope you're able to snatch some time this summer to just grab an umbrella drink and read a few engaging books so you can go back to school feeling a bit more rested in September!

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  9. I love your Tools for Positive Behavior Management! They would work perfectly with my school's implementation of PBIS!

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  10. Hi Sherri!

    I loved all of your advice and tips from the collaboration panel. I learned so much about the power of collaboration and of finding a group of supportive and motivational individuals. You had such great advice about resource samplers and giving yourself a timeline and an out. Thank you so much for coming and sharing :)

    -Bri @ Knowledge Mobile

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