Summer break is made for relaxing, but many teachers feel guilty that they aren’t spending the time better preparing for the coming school year. Have no fear! Here are the best ways to relax while keeping your activities educational.
Traveling – Every destination can broaden the mind if you know how to approach it. Las Vegas? If you’re a math teacher, it’s all about probability, game theory, and (usually) subtraction. New Orleans? Chemistry. Hawaii? Plate tectonics.
Sleeping – The brain moves data from short-term memory into long-term memory during the sleep cycle. You want to make sure you give it plenty of time to move all of the information you’ve gathered over the course of the school year.
Swimming – You’re just practicing how to keep your head above water for when you’re drowning in grading papers.
Sunbathing – Loading up on vitamins so you’ll be able to resist all of the colds and germs the kids bring in.
Eating good food – Making up for the nine months of eating food from the cafeteria.
Reading – Education books are always an option, but you can also get out some trashy young adult literature so you’ll know what the kids will be into next year.
The beach – You want to measure sea level rise for yourself and report back to your students.
Movies – Price gouging at the concession stand is all about economics. Depending on the movie, you might also be keeping your ears tuned to the loud sounds you’re bound to encounter in August.
Family barbecues – You want to spend as much time with childish people as possible.
Playing with the kids – Your most important students.
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