Before You Leave for Spring Break: 3 Things Every Teacher Should Do

My Spring Break is three weeks away, and I already have my plans laid out through the break—and even a little beyond. After more than twenty years in the classroom, I’ve learned the hard way that pre-break planning makes all the difference. Early in my career, I spent far too many breaks working almost every day. I had papers to grade, lessons to plan, materials to create—all the teacher things. My mindset used to be, “I’ll have time to do that over break.” 

Over the years, I’ve had several mindset shifts, and one of them is this: a break is meant to be a BREAK! They’re a chance to step away, recharge, and come back to school refreshed.  So, how do YOU make this mindset shift too? Intention.  Intentionally taking care of a few key things before you shut your classroom door allows you to actually enjoy your break instead of having that to-do list hanging over your head the entire break.

Here are my top three tips so you can unplug and truly have a Spring Break:

1. Plan Ahead for a Stress-Free Break

One big mistake the old me used to make was scheduling essays, projects, and major assignments right before break so that I’d “have time to grade them over the break.” Not anymore.

If you want a true break, do everything you can to avoid having major assignments due right before Spring Break. Even better? Try to have your grading caught up before you leave. Walking into break with a clear gradebook feels completely different than carrying a mental to-do list all week.

So how do you make that happen? Plan ahead.

As I mentioned, I’m three weeks out from my Spring Break.  The first thing I did was make a list of everything that needed to be finished before the break.  We recently wrapped up The Odyssey, and my students are working on a literary analysis essay.  We’ve also started the novel Monster by Walter Dean Myers, AND we are finishing up our unit on phrases and clauses.  In other words, there's a lot going on!

Because of that, I’ve already mapped out my due dates and assessments so that I have time to grade before the break.  During those last days before the break, my students will be working independently on some pre-reading activities for Romeo and Juliet so we can hit the ground running when we get back (more on that in tip 2!).  I have all of this content laid out on my pacing guide planner so I can have a birds-eye view of where we’ve been and where we’re going when we return from the break.   

A little preparation now can make the difference between a real break and a week where work is constantly on your mind.

2. Plan for an Easy Return After Break

No matter how much I plan ahead, I almost always have trouble sleeping the night before we return from a break. I’m not exactly sure why, because I’m usually fully planned and ready to go. But there’s something about that Sunday night that can still bring a little bit of that “back to school” anxiety.

And if you don’t have a clear plan in place? That feeling can be even worse.  So, spending some time planning before the break can make the transition back much smoother.  You don’t need to have weeks of lessons planned, but I highly recommend having the first couple of days (at least) totally ready to go so you can walk in on that first morning back feeling confident and prepared.

For me, before this break my students will watch and take notes on the Shakespearein the Classroom film to lay the foundation for our Romeo and Juliet unit.  When we return, we’ll build on that foundation with some background on Shakespeare and a few fun, engaging activities that help students get comfortable with his language.  I always try to plan discussion-based or interactive lessons for the first day back. Students are often tired and a little out of routine after a break. Starting with activities that get them talking and thinking is a much easier way to ease everyone back into learning.

Spring is when the calendar tends to speed up. Testing schedules, school events, and end-of-year deadlines can quickly eat up instructional time. So, I also look ahead and review my pacing calendar for the rest of the year to help prevent surprises later.

3.  Get Your Classroom Organized Before You Leave

Walking back into a cluttered classroom after a break can make the first day back feel chaotic before it even begins. Taking a little time to reset your space before leaving can make a big difference in how that first morning feels.

The weeks leading up to Spring Break are usually busy, and it’s easy for papers, supplies, and random stacks to accumulate. Before you shut your classroom door, spend some time tidying up so you’re returning to a space that feels calm and ready for learning.  Put away loose papers, straighten materials, and organize any piles that have built up during those hectic weeks.

For me, I like to think about what my classroom will look like when I walk in that first morning back. I like my space to feel fresh, clean, and organized when I return, so I take a little time before leaving to sort through papers and put them where they belong—either in the trash or in the right files. I also wipe down my desk, straighten up materials, and make sure everything is put back in its place.  And I always make sure my agenda is posted and lessons are scheduled on Google Classroom for the week.

It doesn’t take long, but walking into a classroom that feels clean and organized makes the first day back so much easier. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by clutter, I can focus on welcoming students back and jumping right into the lesson.

Final Thoughts

After more than two decades in the classroom, I’ve learned that Spring Break doesn’t magically become relaxing.  It’s up to YOU to set it up that way!

Spring Break should be a time to rest, recharge, spend time with family, read a book, travel, binge a show, or simply enjoy a few quiet mornings without the rush of the school day.

A little intentional planning now means you can truly unplug—and walk back into your classroom after the break feeling refreshed and ready for the final stretch of the school year.  And isn’t that the whole point of a break?

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