- There is a limited time in which to teach and carry out lesson plans.
- It is flanked by two holiday periods: Thanksgiving & Winter Break.
- The weather shifts toward winter patterns.
- Students are distracted by various activities.
These are some of the challenges that educators face every year when December arrives into the classroom. There are but a couple of weeks in which to squeeze as much learning as we can before the year is over. With plenty of activities going on, students tend to loose focus on what they learn, but can easily state what they wish to do or will do with their family and friends once school is out of session. Many times education time is lost due to poor or extreme weather which is beyond anyone's control. Outdoor recess time has to be accommodated to indoor facilities like the multi-purpose room, library/media center, and even the hallways.
December is truly a challenging month in education but well prepared and experienced teachers know how to continue capturing students attention. It can also be a special time during which student social interaction can become a friendship forming bond. As students, and teachers, begin that countdown toward the well deserved break which ends the year, it is worth taking time to reflect on all that has been accomplish to date, and look ahead to what January of next year will allow us to complete.
Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator
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