0 Pacing Matters: A Graceful End to the Year

Posted by Atsumori. Category: Children First

Pacing is an aspect of teaching that requires thought and attention.  Pacing at the end of the year is particularly important.  As the final games, celebrations, projects, and endeavor call parents and teachers to be "everyman" or "everywoman," it is imperative that one consider the pace--a just right stride that leaves time for the emotions, exuberance, and exhaustion the end of an ambitious, energized school year brings.

I write this post as much for myself as for other parents and teachers who will read it.  Hence, as the year draws to a close, how can we shift our time, patterns, and attention to what matters most?

• First, make time for regular class and family meetings to update each other on changing schedules, expectations, and needs.  These meetings are also a great time to troubleshoot scheduling snafus and miscommunications. 
• Second, don't try to do it all, do what matters most. Make a "loose-tight" plan which provides structure, but leaves room for the unexpected, important needs. 
• Third, make time to relax and reenergize.  Build in more routine activities such as quiet reading, map skills, tech practice, and end-of-year thank you cards.  These routines lend themselves to students' ease of talking to one another, thinking about the year's end, asking questions, and peaceful closure.
• At home, fill the cabinets with easy-to-prepare foods and healthy snacks because it's likely that you might run out of time for a family meal and need some last minute solutions.
• Lower your personal expectations, instead of trying to be super-parent or super-teacher, be nice, kind, and supportive parent/teacher as you say farewell to students and comfort your own children who might be experiencing emotions related to end-of-school-year traditions and transitions.
• Make time to think about your own emotions related to your children's changes and your departing students--translate your feelings into thoughtful cards, special read alouds, and simple outings.

When the pacing is off at the end of the year, the entire year's work can be forgotten and replaced by the memory of harried, worrisome, frantic efforts.  Dim the lights, pull out a great read aloud, watch an old movie, be artistic, write, and make plenty of time to rest so that you can end the year with the grace it deserves.

(Why didn't someone tell me this one week ago?  Yet, there's still time to take my own advice.  Happy Endings!)

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