Winter Break Education Guide 2021

Thanksgiving Break has come to an end and now education resumes its course towards the end of the year before signing off for the Winter Break.  This is a great time for schools and educators to develop a Winter Break Education Guide that students and parents can use to continue to close the void created by COVID.  The following is a list of items that could be included in your Winter Break Education Guide.  Each classroom and student's needs are unique, so be flexible in adapting and modifying these items as to fit the needs.

Winter Break Education Guide 2021

-Research What Interests You

A great way to reach a student is by having them research their interests further.  Sports, Art, Space, Science, Historical Events, can all be tied back to classroom curriculum if students can make links by furthering their knowledge of such.  Students can then write a report, create a video presentation, make a list of sources that were useful, even those that were not.  This has the added benefit to give an insight into what students are into.

-Provide Students With Topics to Research

It is always useful to have a list of topics provided as for some students picking an interest could be quite challenging.  This list of topics can be linked to classroom material that has been covered or will be cover in class.  Students can then have a second go at it or be prepared ahead of time for when such topic is covered.

 -Encourage Social Outreach

If distance learning taught us one thing is that we have the technology through which we can communicate and stay in touch.  Things can happen as we are away from school and some students may not have the social safety net at home to reach out for support.  Encouraging students to reach out to each other over the Winter Break can provide the means through which one can ask for help or advice in case of a tough time during the break.

-Rest & Recreation

It is a break after all.  Rest is the best way for the body and mind to recuperate from the many stresses that have transpired in 2021.  Recreation is a great way to free the spirit from the restrains of lockdowns, school, and social isolation.  It can also reinvigorate creativity and refuel our imagination.

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2021.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

The Second Half

Now that we have come together through the first half of the school year, it is time to begin the second half.  We have reviewed the curriculum, made adjustments to lesson plans, and took time to renew our energy.  The second half of the year is ready to commence, and we are going to embark on our educational path until we reach the end of the school year.  In less that 6 months we will reach June, the school year will end, and our year end planning will serve as our educational guide toward completing the educational goals we set.

As we return to our classrooms, let us keep our sight on the horizon.  Lets visualize the path that we are going to take from now on, and make sure that the first step we take is a positive move into the future of education.  Working together (Students, Teachers, Parents, etc.) we can support each other, help our students reach the end of the school year, and advance further into the educational path that we have planned.  Soon, January 2014 will become June 2014, and our students will be moving on to the next grade.

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2014.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

The Half Time

In some athletic events the team leaves the field of play, gathers together, then returns to the field of play to continue playing the game.  This is commonly referred to as half time.  During the half time the entire team can come together (Players, Coaches, Trainers, etc.) and use the time to a self evaluation.  The players can rest and those who have been injured can be cared for.  The coaching staff can analyze what strategies have been working, and which have not and need to be adjusted. The trainers can determine who can continue playing and who is done for the game.  As mentioned this month in a prior post the half time can be a time to observe "What we have achieved, what we need to complete, and what corrections we must make" so that "We can achieve completely the educational goals of this school year".

It would be nice if we could gather together outside the classroom (Students, Teachers, Parents, etc.) and do a self evaluation; however, with our personal schedules being so diverse, this may be a difficult event to coordinate.  This does not mean that we cannot do our own interpretation of the half time.  We have talked about some of the things that we could do during this period for example "Become organized and refocused".  Students can take a break and take care of themselves.  Teachers can help students "Reach the educational goals and achievements which they need" by making sure that they are "Taking charge of (our) lessons, curriculum, and classrooms".  Parents can help students and teachers by being supportive and understanding of what can be described as "A constant process of adaptation, implementation, and evaluation" that goes on in our schools not just on a yearly basis, but also on a day to day operation that is executed by all who are taking part in education.

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2014.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

The First Half

As January comes to a close educators and students are completing the first half of the school year and getting ready to begin the second half.  We are at a balancing point academically, and many factors must be taken into account when looking at the overall vector and magnitude of the current tilt of the scale.  Now is the time to check our balances and decide if they are evenly and fairly in harmony.  If the academic scales are not even or fair, it is our responsibility to begin the delicate process of attempting to regain balance by making adjustments to both sides of the balance.

To achieve an even, fair, and harmonious academic balance we must work in collaboration with each other: Students, Parents, Teachers, Administrators, and everyone who is directly involved in education.  It will take time for year end planning, establishing education goals, and developing education guides.  As this school year continues to go on so goes the learning in the classrooms.  What begun last fall is now pivoting through winter as it prepares to spring in the months ahead.

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2014.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Education Guide for January

The return to school in January, following our Winter break, should serve to us as a pivoting point from which we can spring into action for the rest of the school year.  There are now 6 months until June, when the school year ends, and we must cover all that we can with our students, so they can go on with their education.  This guide can serve as a reference to help us navigate the next 6 months.  The last six months of this year's education calendar.

• Develop an educational calendar.
• Create extra lesson plans.
• Prepare for illnesses.
• Review with students.
• Encourage students to engage parents.
• Do test taking preparation.
• Drills for basic skills.
• Be open and receptive to student needs.

You are encouraged to use these as a guide, and customize for your own classroom needs.  Although 6 months is a long time, it can also pass us by in the blink of an eye.  By being prepared ourselves we will be better off as we continue to help guide them throughout their educational journey.

Author: Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2014.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.