Each year I look forward to Winter Break, more than I do summer break. I enjoy the holidays, and it is not nearly as much work to prepare for January as it is for August. I am disappointed that it is over, but I am anxiously awaiting all of the things that happen in the second half of the school year.
The second half of the year seems to fly by, with our state convention, solo and ensemble festival, concert band festival, trips, testing, etc... The second half of the year seems to go by quickly. I have always found it hard to get my self mentally ready to go back to school - I always feel like my pacing is off, I am unprepared, and my ears are not functioning correctly! Here are some things I do the day before to get ready:
1. I try to wake up at the time I normally do for school. This has gotten easier since I have kids now. The don't like to let us sleep late!
2. In addition to my regular lesson plan, I try to write down a play by play of what I am going to do - clerical work, phone calls to make, and even all of my announcements and personal business. This seems to help keep me on track. It is nothing fancy - I write it on a legal pad, and cross it off as they day goes on. This probably takes about 15 minutes.
3. I answer any parent emails I received over break, but haven't answered. This doesn't take much time when I do it at home. I can never seem to have enough time in the school day to sit down and answer emails - too many interruptions! I don't like to spend too much time doing this during break, because it doesn't seem fair to my family.
4. Score study - not much, but 20-30 minutes. By now I have already studied the music I will working on, but I want to make sure I don't waste any time, even the first day back.
So, that is about 60 minutes of prep work for school - not bad considering the time it saves me when I get back. There are other things I do on the day before too:
5. Watch TV. That seems reasonable, sometimes sitting and not thinking keeps my blood pressure down.
6. Do some housework - outside, in the garage, wherever - this helps me feel more relaxed and lets me focus on my job when I am at work. I like to be able to focus on what I am doing, not what needs to get done.
7. Spend time with my family. Family comes first.
8. Go to bed early. Sleep is too important!
So, this is what I do to get ready for school. I am sure there are some people who can just pop up on Monday and wing it; I know I can't. Having some sort of preparation always seems to make things smoother and more productive.
