“Time flies over us, but leave its shadow behind.”  — Nathaniel Hawthorne

And the close of November is upon us.  Where did my favorite month go?  The inflatable neighborhood yard turkeys have given way to inflatable Santas and reindeer and dragons and minions.  So strange.  Why are there no inflatable Thanksgiving dragons?

And the countdown to Christmas Break is officially on.  Just over three weeks to go and still so much to cover.  With summative assessments to give, projects to collect (so they can sit untouched over break—everything can wait until the planning day in January as far as I am concerned!) and last-minute Hail Mary PTCs requested by parents, there is plenty to do.

This is prime time-guarding season.  Very necessary in order to maintain sanity.  At least so I have found.  

Thus, for the sake of time guarding, and because I am exhausted myself, I will keep this brief!  

If you need to guard any time with some ready-made lessons, Saki’s “Bertie’s Christmas Eve” is always a classic.  I also have a fun and free activity about Christmas traditions around the world available, and I have found to be very good to use in the day or two leading up to break.

Also, if you’re planning ahead for New Year’s I have a poetic analysis for Auld Lang Syne, which I have to say is a favorite of mine because I enjoy the comparisons with some of the different versions.  X)

My belated-birthday sale will be the first Monday and Tuesday of December, the fourth and fifth. My entire TpT store will be on sale. I’m working on a novel unit for Laurie Halse Anderson’s Fever 1793, so hopefully I’ll have some of that up by then, too.

So close!  Don’t let time leave its shadow.  No shadows under the eyes.  Still too much to do for that!

M.D. Saints
Reading the Rapids
Liberty Dog Writing Co.

Just look at these dogs.  Not a care in the world and no time to guard!  Living the life!