Prepare For A Stress-Free Sick Day!

by Elizabeth Van Allen for scribblesbyartteachervanallen.blogspot.com

The dilemma: should I come to school too sick to be effective or spend hours putting together student work that may not be given a second glance by the substitute teacher?   

I don't know many teachers who haven't faced that choice, and if an emergency comes up you won't even have time to prepare!  Leaving work for a substitute or guest teacher can be a seriously time consuming chore, especially when you teach art.  How do you ensure that projects won't be ruined and supplies won't be wasted when you aren't even there?  What information is appropriate to leave when you teach nine grade levels and see different classes every day?

The answer: take the time to put together a sub binder for those days when your classes will have what I call a "commercial break" from their regularly scheduled projects.  Here are step-by-step instructions that will bring you through the process as painlessly as possible. 

1. Make sub materials are easy to find.  
This includes extra paper and supplies.  If they can't be found, they can't be used!

2. Format
Your binder's format is essential, so make sure your instructions are simple and easy to read.  Some easy ways to do this are: a) to use a sans serif font, b) make sure the type is large enough for anyone to read, c) don't be too wordy, and d) make any divider tabs you use very clear and easy to read.

3. Welcome letter
Start with a brief welcome note that includes essential instructions and is easy to read.  Remember to include what supplies and areas of the room should (and should not) be used in your absence!  If you're not sure what this looks like, see the first picture at the top of the post.

4. Include important information like the daily schedule, emergency information, and basic information like how do use the phone system.  You might have to invest some time in re-formatting things like bell and/or class schedules.  Formats change from school to school and can be very confusing to people who are new to the building!

5. Use current seating charts that include the names of trustworthy student helpers.  Look at your seating charts with a critical eye.  If you were looking at them for the first time would they make immediate sense?  Keeping ease of use in mind, I created a completely different seating chart format for my sub binder.  Update it regularly and use a pencil.  You don't want to have to go through the hassle of using white out every time you change a seat!

6. Leave open-ended projects with simple directions that require minimal instruction. 

This 'Illustrated Captions' project requires minimal instruction and lets students use a lot of creativity and imagination!  The adult-in-charge writes a caption on the board (my stomach after lunch, things that come from eggs, the daydream I had in class, etc.), and the artists draw an illustration to go with the caption!  I wish I could take credit for this idea, but I found it on the incredible art department years ago!

 7. Work expectations for days when you are out into your beginning-of-the-year routine.  When you keep your students informed, they have no excuse for inappropriate behavior.  Pre-determine your helpers and let them know, and post rules for days when there is a guest teacher prominently in the classroom.  Bonus points or treats can also be rewarded for whichever class the sub names as most cooperative!

How do you ensure a stress-free day when life keeps you from getting to work?

I'm bringing calmness back.

by Elizabeth Van Allen

scribblesbyartteachervanallen.blogspot.com

Finding my happy place before a flight.

Time is short and kids can act crazy, so it's easy to get thrown off your game if you don't have a plan B in the classroom.  It doesn't hurt to also have plans C, D, and E waiting in the wings in case of emergency.  Every day a teacher's time management has to be on point 100% of the time.  Schedules can shift and change at a moment's notice, and let's face it- not every class goes according to plan every time.  It's way too easy to let your personal stressers travel with you from class to class, then follow you home as if you actually want them there. 

We always have back-up plans ready to go in the classroom, but what about your "real" life?  When things go sideways and unexpected stress hits, do you have anything in place to keep your mind centered?  I've put together four quick go-to fixes that just might bring some calm back into your life.  Hopefully you'll be a little more prepared when the next "life storm" hits!

Quick fixes for the suddenly stressed:

http://www.wikihow.com/Breathe

1. Breathe deeply with your mouth closed, especially if you are starting to panic.  Research has shown that you can't hyperventilate when breathing through your nose.  Slowly take the breath in through the nose until it completely inflates your chest, stomach and back over a slow 4-count (minimum).  Let it out slowly, taking the same amount of time -or slightly longer- to release the breath.  Continue to exhale until you are pushing the last of it out with your diaphragm.  Repeat a few more times.

2. Take a brief stretch break. Extend your arms and your gaze all the way up.  Reach towards the ceiling/sky with not only your hands and arms, but your sides and waist too.  At the same time, root down through the earth with your shoulders, legs, and feet.  Reach up a little higher with alternating hands to really stretch your sides and triceps.  Then hinge at the hips and, with control, reach out and sweep your hands down towards the floor.  Bend your knees one at a time, stretching through your standing leg and hip before you switch.  Be careful not to lock or hyper-extend you knees, and don't forget to breathe! 

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monday-try-these-3-great-morning-stretches/comment-page-1/

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3. Grab a crayon and scribble.  If it sounds silly, that's because it is.  Take one of those big, made-for-toddlers crayons and hold it in your fist.  Now scribble your heart out.  Get all that frustration out on the paper, then crumple it up and throw it away.  It's kind of like punching a pillow, only a little (ok, a lot) less obvious to others.

4. Be fully present in the moment and truly enjoy a sensory experience.  It could be the warmth and scent of a cup of tea, the taste and texture of your lunchtime sandwich, or even just feeling the sensation of running water as you take an extra minute to wash your hands.  Really indulge yourself in the simple pleasures that smell, taste, touch, sound and sight have to offer.

I recently tried jackfruit for the first time (pictured above).  Instead of immediately judging whether or not I liked it, I tried to be fully present while attempting to describe my sensory experience more objectively to a captive lunchtime audience. (Thanks Mom & Kat!)  It was a really interesting way to try something new.

What stress-reducing quick fixes have worked for you?