“Clocks slay time… time is dead as long as it is being clicked off by little wheels; only when the clock stops does time come to life.” ― William Faulkner, The Sound and the Fury.
Ahhhhh, it’s not only clocks that slay time. Admins are pretty good at it too. The meetings that everyone are forced to attend that could be emails to be skimmed. Oh yes, those are big time slayers, indeed! I know this isn’t only an issue in education, because I have friends outside of education who have also mentioned this conundrum, but education sure is loaded with them. In fact, I cannot think of a faculty meeting in the last few years that actually gave any kind of needed information. Mostly, the faulty meetings at my school have been various “shout outs” in a vain attempt to build morale, when really everyone is rather exasperated that their time is being squandered. The principal is not Oprah. The shout outs are not cars. And yet, administration seem to conflates them.
SIGH. The battle to maintain looking interested while mentally refining a classroom game plan is real. X)
I keep this exasperation of mine in mind when I make my lessons by avoiding any incorporation of busywork. The students know the difference between an actual assignment, and something that has been thrown together to try to keep them quiet. They may complain when I give them a task, but they complain because it’s a challenge, not because it’s busywork.
If you find yourself in need of any challenging, non fluffy, lessons, and are an early prepper, then look no further!
I have a resource for Black History Month that gives students exposure to many lesser-known historical figures, and a fun activity for Valentine’s Day.
And just because I opened with a William Faulkner quote, “A Rose for Emily” is one of my favorite short stories, so if you’re interested in a classic Southern Gothic tale, by a classic author, you can check that out below. Ohhh the incorrigible Miss Emily…
Happy Teaching!
M.D. Saints
Reading the Rapids
Liberty Dog Writing Co.
The meetings these dogs attend are never dull! Breakfast, walk, dinner, repeat!