Mr. Teacher

Happy Holidays! Keep Studying!

by John Pearson

With Christmas, excuse me, HOLIDAY break soon upon us, there is no doubt that students’ minds are already turning to things like how late can they stay up, how long can they sleep in, and how many consecutive hours of Grand Theft Auto can they play without inducing a coma. I mean, I know that’s what MY thoughts are turning to, so why would it be any different for the kids?

However, as parents and teachers, we want to be sure that the kids’ minds don't completely turn into chocolate pudding during the two weeks they are away from school. We have all worked pretty hard for the past three months, and we don't want too much of that knowledge just fading from existence, the way it tends to during summer vacation.

This is especially true for high school students and middle school students who have to take mid-term exams. When I was in school, we took our mid-terms in December, BEFORE we went on vacation, when the information was still fresh in our minds. At least, it was as fresh as it could be, considering the fact that we were goofy, hormonally-charged adolescents.

Nowadays though, at least here in Texas, the semester doesn't actually end until January, after the kids have been back for two weeks. On this new schedule, students eat, drink, and be merry for two weeks with no school, then they come back and try to cram all of that knowledge back into their skulls for a week before being tested.

Myself, I am an elementary school teacher, so I don't need to worry about mid-term exams. Many of my kids tend to forget concepts and teachings over a regular two-day weekend, so a two-WEEK vacation is no big deal.