My school district will be closed 3/17 until 4/6.This is NOT unprecedented. In the winter of 1978, we were in school nine days in the months of January and February. At the time, everyone was in a panic, thinking that it was the End Times and we were heading into the next ice age! In the fall of 1980, our teachers went on strike for six weeks.
What I remember is feeling worried, but also being VERY bored. The days had no structure. I read a lot, especially the encyclopedia, and played a lot of solitaire. Some school lessons were broadcast on television!
The important thing for everyone to consider, after everyone is safe and healthy, is keeping to a routine. Sure, it might sound like a good idea to stay up until 2 a.m., sleep until noon, and play video games all day, but it doesn't feel very good after a while.
I like to work, so that's what I will continue to do. Many of my students are on Instagram, so during the normal school day times, I will try to post an activity every hour (see example below). This is an opportunity to learn about a lot of things, and read a lot of books.
Today, I am increasing check out limits to five books today, and rolling out the cart of summer giveaways.
Everything will be fine. The world didn't end in the winter of 1978, and it's not going to end now.
So what happened in 78? Bad weather or swine flu?
ReplyDeleteThere was a HUGE blizzard. There was so much snow that it covered a semi truck on the side of the highway. Some people couldn't get out of their front doors. It was scary and yet fascinating, and the snow forts we made were epic! Swine Flu-- wasn't that not too long ago?
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