It’s no secret that kids LOVE a good snow day when school is called off and they can lay around the house all day long. But don’t be fooled—teachers love a well-timed snow day as much as the kids! During the dreary winter months, the kids get a little crazy, everyone’s feeling a little down, and teachers get tired. A snow day can serve as a much-needed day of rest for overworked teachers.
What do teachers do on snow days, you might be wondering? I’m sure that some may plan lessons and catch up on grading, but in my opinion, teachers should take the day off to recharge.
Here is my “to-do” list for snow days—I hope this list will help my teacher friends out there who feel “teacher guilt” for taking it easy!
- Go back to bed. After you get the call or text saying “School’s out!” you can do a little happy dance and crawl back under the covers. I’m not saying sleep all day, but give yourself the indulgence of a little extra sleep. If you can’t go back to sleep, at least enjoy some peace and quiet. Make yourself a warm drink, sit on the couch, listen to the beautiful silence, and enjoy the fact that there is nothing you really have to do today.
- Read. We teachers are also readers and learners, but during the school year, we often dedicate our spare time to grading, preparing lessons, reading education-related texts, and tackling our own household tasks after all of that. A snow day is a great excuse to read for pleasure. Plop down on the couch with a blanket and a good book, read a magazine, or read to or with your kids. But spend a little time nurturing your mind—I promise you, you’ll feel more relaxed!
- Play in the snow. Just for fun, pretend that you’re a kid. Make snowballs and throw them at the neighborhood kids, build a snowman, or go sledding. Bundle up and take a walk. Get your heart rate up, laugh, act silly. I don’t care if you’re a new teacher or a veteran, this simple act of play will re-energize you.
- Watch a great movie or two. I remember a few years back, my district canceled school and my kids and I declared it pajama day—we hung out on the couch, indulged in Netflix movies, cuddled, and just relaxed. We had an amazing, lazy time. Snow days are perfect for catching up on movies or the shows you’ve saved on the DVR from last week. We shouldn’t feel guilty about enjoying a little down time—we’ve earned it!
- Get active in the kitchen. A cold, snowy winter day begs for home-baked cookies or other yummy treats. Get adventurous and try out a new recipe you’ve been meaning to use. Get the whole family involved and be creative in the kitchen. Cooking is a fun family activity as well as a great way to pass the time.
For kids and teachers alike, snow days are like a gift from the gods. Teachers need the short reprieve as much as their students do. But remember, snow days can be used as a day of rest. We’re not required to tackle big projects or do schoolwork. Instead, we can breathe in the beauty of winter, relax, be present with our family, and enjoy doing the things we love. Sometimes taking a break is the best thing we teachers can do for ourselves and our students.
Looking for more great teaching tips? Check out this article for suggestions on how to stay sane, and click here to read about New Year’s resolutions for elementary teachers.
For helpful content all year long delivered straight to your inbox, be sure to subscribe to our Educator blog!
