Turkey, Teaching, and Taking a Break: Surviving Thanksgiving Week

Ah, Thanksgiving Break—the oasis in the desert of the school year. It’s the perfect time to rest, recharge, and remind yourself what life looks like outside your classroom walls. But first, you have to survive the days leading up to it. You know the ones: students are more focused on mashed potatoes than math, the air smells faintly of crayons and cranberry sauce, and every announcement reminds you of yet another potluck obligation. Fear not, fellow educators! Here’s your game plan for tackling Thanksgiving week while keeping your sanity—and maybe even some pumpkin pie leftovers.

Step 1: Don’t Overthink the Pre-Break Days

Let’s be real: these few days aren’t about groundbreaking educational moments. Your students are mentally halfway to grandma’s house already. Instead of fighting the chaos, lean into it. Plan simple, engaging activities that still feel productive but don’t require you to lose sleep. Think creative writing prompts about turkeys or math challenges disguised as fun games. And if your district allows, a movie day with an educational twist (I’m looking at you, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving) is a golden ticket to sanity.

Pro Tip: Create a “done pile.” If students finish their work early, they can choose from low-effort tasks like coloring pages, word searches, or reading. This keeps them occupied without you constantly redirecting their attention.

Step 2: Say No to Guilt, Yes to Gratitude

Thanksgiving is a season of gratitude, so start with yourself. Yes, you’re a superhero, but even superheroes take a break. Stop worrying about whether you’re doing “enough” in those pre-holiday days. You are enough, and your effort is the reason your classroom runs (relatively) smoothly.

And remember, it’s okay to set boundaries. No, you don’t need to bake a pie for the staff luncheon unless you want to. Store-bought is fine. Actually, skipping it is fine. Protecting your mental space is worth far more than winning the “best stuffing” contest.

Step 3: Take the Break… for Real

Once those final bells ring, do yourself a favor and actually take the break. I know, your email is a siren’s song, and the stack of ungraded essays is calling your name. But here’s the deal: You’re not a better teacher because you sacrificed your downtime. You’re a tired teacher, and tired teachers don’t teach as well.

Use Thanksgiving Break to unplug and reconnect—with yourself, your family, and whatever brings you joy. Whether it’s binge-watching shows, hiking, or eating your weight in stuffing, this is your time.

Step 4: Reflect and Reset (But Not Too Much)

Towards the end of break, take an hour (yes, just one!) to think about what worked well before Thanksgiving and what didn’t. Are there ways to simplify your routines? Could your seating chart use a refresh? Make a few notes, but don’t go overboard. The rest of the break belongs to you.

And, yes...absolutely go back for that second piece of dessert!

Thanksgiving week isn’t about perfection—it’s about surviving the lead-up and savoring the downtime. So take a breath, enjoy the gravy, and remember: You’re not just a teacher. You’re human. And humans need pie. Happy Thanksgiving!

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