December: Expectation and Hope

“That which we persist in doing becomes easier – not that the nature of the task has changed, but our ability to do has increased.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

(In other words “Repetition is the mother of learning!” Or “If you don’t succeed the first time try. Try again.”)

This is probably the most difficult few weeks of the year for pupils and teachers. The excitement of the winter break begins to peak as the month moves on. Teachers and pupils are ready for a break! It’s a fgood time to get away from kids, teachers and the rigors of a schedule. Tempers tend to get short and in secondary school, fights are more common during this time of the year. Solid educational practices are ready needed at this time. The teacher who has “control” can ease up a little bit. But as the days near the break, the smile needs to go and the stern finger of rule must come out. This does not mean that teachers should revert to the days of September but rather the business face of the day before a holiday.

Testing have questionable results. Intelligent kids always do well because of their nature- highly motivated . The problem rests with the broader band of motivated, near motivated, unmotivated and anti-motivated. Each teacher needs to appraise their individual situation and decide the course of action. It is important to find activities that are meaningful and keeps the pupils busy.

FOR THE ROOKIE: This is the test time. Teachers set routines the first weeks of the school year. They reinforce the rules as the days pass. If routines are established, it is natural to ease up a bit. The month following the Thanksgiving break is the next big challenge. Kids get antsy, so do the teacher. Attention spans diminish and fuses tend to be shorter. The tendency is to “let up” as the days roll closer to the break. “Keep ‘em working!” the pro will tell you. Be careful of putting too much weight on the graded work. Be leery of parties. Get help from the veteran teachers. The holidays will provide the rest and regeneration needed to return. Don’t let up too soon.

And to all a Happy Holiday….

Month’s Events:

<> This is Human Rights Month A good chance to teach a little love and respect for self and others. Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of the bus (12/1).
<> This is also the Holiday Month: Thanksgiving leads into December which celebrates Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanzaa. It is a time of family and sharing and good feelings.

Dates to know:

On the 5th……….. The 8th President, Martin Van Buren, born
On the 7th……….. “A day that will live in infamy”
On the 16th………. Let’s have a Tea Party in Boston
On the 28th………. The 28th President, Woodrow Wilson, born
On the 29th………. The 17th President, Andrew Johnson, born

Occurrence This Month:

<> The Christ child is born in the year 0
<> A Christmas Carol is printed in the year 1843
<> Chewing Gum patented in the year 1869
<> Sherlock Holmes appears in print for 1st Time in the year 1887
<> Wright Brothers first flight is in the year 1903
<> First heart transplant is in the year 1967

Ideas for Subject Areas

Magnificent Social Studies Adventures

History of the Christmas tree
Candles of Hanukah
Origins of Kwanzaa

Great Science Investigations

The winter solstice
Snow Flakes

Math Marvels

Counting flakes

Degrees in Geometry (related to winter solstice)

Land of Language

Writing Tales of Scrooge and Tiny Tim and Christmas or Hanukah or Kwanzaa
Reading Sherlock Mysteries
Group project: Write a serial (cartoon, series of short tales, etc)

After Arts

Make paper snow flakes
Snowmen
Winter scenes

Body Works

Floor hockey
Elements of Basketball
Snow safety

Do you know…

Otzi has no living relatives.
its summer in New Zealand!
Romans celebrated Saturnalia in mid to late December.
Silent Night was first song on Christmas Eve 1818.
Beethoven was born this month.

Questions That hunt Answers…

Who is Otzi?
What is Saturnalia?
Who is St. Nicholas?
Why is the poinsettia so closely associated with Christmas?

Explore the Web:

A Math site: http://www.mathwire.com/
Social Studies sites: http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htm
http://www.officialkwanzaawebsite.org/index.shtml
http://www.billybear4kids.com/holidays/hanukkah/hanukkah.htm