It’s Not a Full Moon! It’s the Week Before Holiday Break.
Why calm isn’t natural. It has to be practiced
Every year, I tell myself I’m ready.
Keep things normal.
Stick to the routine.
Over-plan the lessons (because surely that will fix everything).
And then I walk into this.
Jerry cannot stop talking.
Trinity is completely shut down; hood up, head down.
Silvia snaps over something small that normally wouldn’t even register.
And then there’s Tamara.
Usually independent.
Usually steady.
Usually fine.
This week?
Calling out comments from across the room.
Roaming like her seat suddenly offended her.
Asking for help… then pushing it away.
A little eye-rolling.
A little attitude.
A lot of restless energy.
On paper, this all looks like bad behavior.
But is it?
It’s stress showing up when routines disappear and anxiety takes over.
And Then There’s Me
Wearing all the hats, like we all are this time of year.
The family hat:
Making sure the home schedule is set.
The shopping done.
The presents bought, wrapped, and somehow hidden.
The teacher hat:
Lessons planned.
Holiday show rehearsed.
Emails sent to parents wishing them a happy holiday (with just the right amount of cheer).
And if I’m being honest?
I’m stressed.
I’m anxious.
I’m juggling a lot.
Which made me stop and ask myself something uncomfortable:
How am I coming across to the kids?
Because they feel what we feel.
My rushed tone.
My tighter patience.
My nervous energy.
Even when I think I’m holding it together.
And if I’m overwhelmed, and I’m an adult with coping skills, what must this week feel like for them?
So What’s the Answer?
It’s not lowering expectations.
It’s not pretending this week is “normal.”
And it’s definitely not just powering through.
The answer is teaching students, and ourselves how to steady ourselves, in class and at home.
Not with lectures.
Not with consequences.
But with simple strategies kids can actually use.
The best part?
They’re easy enough for students to use on their own and to teach to siblings, parents, and friends.
Not as another thing to do…
But as something empowering to share.
Here are three strategies that consistently help us get through this week and send students off feeling steadier, more confident, and excited to come back.
This strategy works because it teaches students to notice stress early, before emotions take over.
By checking in with the body and slowing the breath, students learn how to steady themselves instead of reacting. It creates a sense of safety they can use anywhere, at school, at home, or during break.
2. Tension Toss
This strategy gives students a physical way to let go of stress.
Turning a worry into something they can write, crumple, and throw away helps release tension from the body, not just the mind. When students reflect afterward, they realize this is a reset they can use anytime and even teach to others.
3. Mood Flip
This strategy teaches students that emotions aren’t something to get rid of, they’re something to understand and use.
By naming, visualizing, and reshaping a feeling, students learn they have control over how emotions show up and what they do with them. It’s a quick mental reset that builds resilience, confidence, and focus during high-stress moments.
What I Hope We All Leave With
Not just holiday excitement.
But confidence.
Language for stress.
Tools we can use on our own.
Because if we can send kids home with calm they can carry and share, then this week hasn’t been a loss at all.
It’s been a gift.
Thanks for reading,
Marcey and the BZ team
For Teachers Who Want Science to Feel Simple
BrainZones transforms the science of learning into simple, practical strategies teachers can use right away. Explore the free strategy library anytime at brainzones.org → Free Library