Rich Henderson's Diary
The First 180 Days

Rich's Diary: Snow Days

Week 26

Do you remember those childhood days when you knew that a snowstorm was coming? As you eagerly awaited those first snowflakes, your thoughts turned to sledding, snowball fights, and snow angels. Added to the delight was the distinct possibility that if snow fell on a school day, school might be cancelled and you would have a snow day. A snow day could be a day of bliss for both children and, admittedly, teachers. For the first couple of snow days this season, I was probably just as excited as the children were. Well, that was at the beginning of this winter season. Since then, we have had five snow days and both my students and I are tired of them. Why? Snow days can create havoc for our established classroom routines.

We are all creatures of some kind of routine. From the moment we get up in the morning to the moment we return to sleep, we all follow routines. they are important to us because they provide us with some degree of structure. As adults, we need that structure because it's emotionally comforting. For example, if we go to the same coffee shop each morning and get that same cup of coffee, we may feel a little better as we start the day. It's comforting. What happens when routine is disrupted and we can't get to that coffee shop? We lose that feeling of comfort. The same thing applies to fifth graders.

Since September, my students and I have worked hard on establishing and maintaining our daily routines. From the moment my students walk into the classroom to the moment they leave in the afternoon, there are routines that they follow. Seatwork, lessons, specials, lunch, recess, and bathroom breaks are all a part of our daily routine. When there is a change or disruption in any of our routines, some students' behavior becomes challenging. Their comfort level is disrupted. When one or more snow days disrupt our routines, some students return to school with conduct that is in complete disregard to our classroom routines. It is as though the snow day completely erased any recollection that the kids might have had for our routines. We must devote a significant portion of the day to reestablishing both the stability and structure of the routines. Once the routines are reestablished, the day becomes more productive and the behavioral problems subside. The stability that my students have come to expect is back.

I never thought that I would not want a snow day. I loved snow days as a kid, but that was when they were pure fun. As a teacher, I now understand there are significant repercussions that go along with these days of fun, which makes snow days less desirable. Sometimes, I simply hate being an adult.

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Rich Henderson
Education World®
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