We all need a break sometimes. Tiffany Vedova, blogger and virtual school teacher, shared on this in a post on TeachHUB.com. Her article is titled "The Underrated Full Stop: Why Students Need a Real Break" and oh how true it is friends. Spring break is so close yet several assignments still stand between me and a break in which I will still have to work on school work. Vedova says there are two versions of school breaks: the Comma Version or the Full Stop Version. The Comma Version is a version in which teachers think that their students are receiving a break from getting up early and sitting in the classroom each day, but still assign projects, homework, or studying for a test right after the break ends. In the Full Stop Version, teachers assign no homework because students work hard throughout the year or semester and simply need a break as a chance to relax and unplug from responsibilities and expectations of school. "When we fail to respect our students’ need to rest and their right to vacation the way they want to with their families, we align ourselves with the chaos instead of being what we should be, their partners in facing [the need to rest]." When I think about assigning work, I want my students to turn in top notch work. However, when I reflect on assignments that I have had to complete over breaks in high school and middle school, I realized that I did not put forth my best effort and I often rushed through the assignment in order to be finished and able to have fun.
Though I will still have homework over the break, I am thankful that Dr. Parker sees our need for a chance to unplug from school work and relax in preparation for the second half of the semester. I think as a future teacher it is important that we recognize the importance of a full stop break in order to spend time with family and just take a break from the day in and day out of school. We cannot expect students to hand in their best work if they are just trying to get the assignment done in order to leave for family vacation, spend time with friends, or just enjoy their time off.
I related this idea to NCTCS 1 and 5. As a teacher leader, we can advocate for the Full Stop Version of breaks so that our students can recuperate and come back ready and willing to work for the rest of the semester or year. I also think that this relates to teachers reflecting on their practice, because we must think about the way we will run our classroom and how we will meet the needs of our students. We will reflect and see that our students have worked hard and need a break without the stress of school work. This will lead us to choosing the version of school break that works best for our students.
http://www.teachhub.com/students-break-homework
Leslea, this blog could not be more true! I do believe that we should have the Full Stop Version for a break, because when we get assigned tons of homework and studying over a break, what good does that do? I am still doing school work, and my brain is still racing, but instead of being at school I am at home. That is the only difference. We all need a brain break, because I know that I come back from restful breaks, very ready to work. This will also help us as future teachers, we can see that our little babies need a break.
ReplyDeleteVery true Leslea. I know that this will be way less stressful knowing that we have one of our huge assignments down (minus teaching to our peers). I felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction knowing that it was complete. This week I hope to knock out a few "smaller" assignments and get ready for a clinical visit as well as preparing for teaching the online group. BUT, it is nice knowing that nothing major is due this week. I too believe students should have a good feeling going into a break (vacation, weekend etc...) I hope to not give any homework (minimal at best) to my students because I want them to enjoy learning and school. Great post! Happy Spring Break!
ReplyDeleteLeslea,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree! I think that as future teachers it is important to take a break and spend time with family and take a break from school. As future teachers I'm sure there will be times where we will be so overwhelmed and a break is much needed. With that being said I am very glad spring break is approaching and we can all take a breather for a second. We all know this course can sometimes be overwhelming and spring break will be good for all of us. Thanks for sharing I really enjoyed reading this blog post!