My first year teaching, I had a one-week fall break at the end of the first quarter. I’d never experienced such a thing as a student. I found it was a perfect time to reset things.
Returning from fall break, we had a new seating chart, some updated classroom norms, and I had adjusted our academic schedule.
I’ve continued this tradition, without the fall break. This year I decided I’d reset classroom jobs each quarter. A side benefit is that it gives me another writing sample because rather than an application, I have students write me a letter about the top three jobs they want and why. Talk about authentic writing!
It’s never a bad time to reset if things are feeling off in the classroom. But the natural breaks do seem to work in our favor…and keep us from “resetting” every day!
Other areas to consider a reset:
- Grading and feedback
- Classroom routines and structure
- Hand raising protocols
- Bathroom protocols
- Homework protocols
- Independent work choices
- Classroom furniture arrangement
- Parent contact
One thing is always true: things change. If what worked before isn’t working now, maybe it’s time to change things up!
Tim's Teaching Thoughts 
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