Do the holidays disrupt the learning process?

Our district has 3 weeks off. I gave a PBL Literature assignment which has gone over very well the past 3 years.Every child left understanding the assignment and feeling positive. They even began reading the book and commenting that it was interesting and so was the assignment.

Children need to have a scholarly assignment and not just turn to the internet and video games.
Research shows that online bullying occurs because teens are bored and turn to the internet to bully.

Reading a book is always a great idea no matter what time of year.

Holidays are an excellent time to take a break, reflect on prior learning, and learn something new about your community and fellow man through the many activities designed to show care and compassion for those less fortunate than ourselves. My classes always adopt a family or needy students and help them understand that someone truly cares about them (via Secret Santa). It's a great lesson at the high school level - and reinforces the idea that we are a community of learners who value learning and ideas - but mostly value each other as human beings.

Give it "A Break"! Students need a breather. They will keep on the track they were previously before their break. Learning must be desired by the student, and reinforced by the parent, as it is all parents responsibility to make sure their children are learning! Teachers that teach with the passion of having their students learn will not have the problem of any of their students ever falling behind.

i think the holidays break the process and students during their vacation must have some homework in order to become everlasting learners
Alla
www.allasobirova.com

I've been recently pondering why the education world has decided that "learning" must be narrowly defined by "essential lesson plans and test preparation." Society would be better off if only our schools would realize that there are more skills to be learned (both in life and in school) than how to pass your fourth-grade state assessment. We need to help parents help their children become responsible 21st-Century citizens. After all, the recognition that an educated citizenry is essential for an effective democracy is part of the reason public schooling became widespread. Learning appropriate manners at a concert, showing appreciation for the arts, even learning the social skills necessary to be a good party host/ess are all as valuable--maybe even more so--than two extra days of filling in little bubbles.

I support the idea behind NCLB and agree that we need to focus more on how to better educate our children in terms of academics. But emphasizing so-called "essential" standards down the day before winter vacation while seemingly ignoring the upcoming events probably isn't the way to do it. No one can be all business all the time; in fact, most of us are better off when we're not. And the same is true for our students. Are we seeking to produce children who look to short-term goals (like a test or a lesson plan?) or those who can be valuable, self-sufficient, educated members of society?