Join the Two Writing Teachers blog for March Slice of Life Challenge.
When I read the words winding down, I think of the energizer bunny. We just keep going and going all year long and now the battery is running low.
I had to power down my phone to use less battery power. I think I’ve done that to myself. I’m running on low battery power.
Good thing there are only a few days of school left. We are in the midst of final reports, awards, field day, and packing up the classroom for summer cleaning.
There’s the part of me that will miss the routine. Routines become comfort zones. I know what’s expected of me. Duty day, class schedule, lunch break, carpool line, all dependable time zones.
There’s this other part of me that craves the no-schedule of what my husband calls “the big weekend.”
I usually create a schedule: exercise, reading, writing, cleaning, etc. I always think I’ll have time to do the such-and-such that I didn’t do during the school year. I will read professional books. I will make an art journal. I’ll write a book of poetry.
This week I’ll say goodbye. I’ll pack my bag for the last time. Then I’ll plug in to the charger and re-juice my battery with summer.
Reflections on the Teche 
I relate! We have 13 school days left. I am making my summer list too. Enjoy the last days with the kiddos!
Ha, I used to freak out as I came to the end of a school year, wondering how I would keep busy, but of course, once I moved into summer mode I found my recharging routine. All my best to you as this year winds down and you get to recharge. Are you coming to Atlanta this year? I am.
Yay! We will finally meet. I had 4 presentations accepted for NCTE. I’ll be busy.
I’m hoping I can just chill!!!
Love your analogy to the Engerizer bunny. The “big weekend” is sounding marvelous!
Love the metaphor of batteries running low, but also time to enjoy these final few days. And get ready for ‘the big weekend”. I’ll remember that, Margaret, a new phrase for summer!
I love that phrase “the big weekend.” When you say you’ll pack your bags for the last time, do you mean you are leaving the classroom for good?
No Lisa, just for the summer.
School ends so early by you. I can’t get over it. There are four more weeks up here.
Enjoy powering down, Margaret.
Next fall you will have vague memories of this point of the year. You will be recharged and ready to tackle the year. The year does wear one down. Enjoy your loooooonnnnngggg weekend!
Through your post today I relived my final days of teaching before retirement.
Routine is good; a classroom is a home away from home. Teaching and learning are exciting but exhausting. I think about how I used to long for summer to rest and recharge. Not any more. Now I just need to remind myself that every day on this earth is a gift that I must enjoy. There are no do-overs!
Rejuice – I like that! Ahoy, summer!!
Love your “power down” as I went with “winding down” today. Not as close to the end as you, but soon . . .
You captured the essence of closing out the school year. In a few weeks, I’ll close out for the last time, then I’ll really have a long…..weekend. Relax and enjoy this well-deserved break.
This is the perfect analogy between teaching and batteries. Many of us are feeling the same way right now. I think of summer as “horizontal living” and the school year as “vertical.” I’m looking forward to some recharging myself. Enjoy!
Jennifer
“The Big Weekend”! Yes! I’m ready. I have a ton of professional books to read, too, and will also enjoy catching up on adult reads. We are done next Fri. Enjoy your last days!
I am ready to see how your power up your summer batteries, Margaret. I look forward to hearing more about your book of poetry.