Classroom Interruptions

This past week was different than any other week I have ever witnessed at my PDS. Not only was there one interruption like we usually experience, but this week seemed like one giant interruption in itself! I get the feeling the kids just got off to a rough start when Monday was topped off with an extra recess for thirty minutes. That was followed on Tuesday with computer lab in the morning. While this is a scheduled, weekly activity, I felt this week threw them off because the rest of the routine was irregular.

Thursday, the students had double-specials, followed by a substitute for the afternoon (my grade level had collaborative planning). Friday was an early release day and Constitution Day. While I do realize these activities were on our calendars, and we planned for things to be different, students do not always foresee changes like we do. I remember being in elementary and looking so forward to getting out of school early on a Friday. It seemed to be all I thought about the whole week, from Monday on. I have started to tell myself that things may not have changed so much in the past 14 years.

My teacher and I had planned to center all of our instruction around the constitution on Friday morning. We also left plans for the substitute to begin showing the video Thursday afternoon that would base our first discussions Friday morning. After things being so different all week, I think the students just could not focus like they may have had things been normal up to that point on Thursday. After all those various problems throughout the week, I noticed what would normally have been a fun and interesting Friday morning, turned into a near nightmare.

The students were unable to focus on any discussion topics, and normally my class is almost too cooperative during a class discussion. They also were unsure of how to complete the morning reading comprehension, even though they do so five days a week, every week of school. Therefore, I believe any interruptions can get students off-track. Whether they be larger interruptions, like extra recesses, substitutes, and early dismissals, or small ones such as announcements, they matter. Unfortunately, the only way we could think to get the kids back on track that week was to wait for the weekend and try again Monday.

I will definitely use this as a learning experience. Like I said, teachers often plan for and anticipate interruptions, but students rarely get that opportunity. I, for one, never thought to tell the kids ahead of time that things may be different. In hindsight, this may not have been the best idea. I think next time I know of interruptions coming, I will remind my students as they go, so they can prepare themselves as well. I predict this may have an impact on their behavior and learning in the next situation similar to the one this past week.

Unfortunately, I also predict that preparation for large changes like substitutes may impact student attendance rates. I have noticed that on half-days and odd days, less students tend to come to school. Hopefully that is also something that will decline after we get farther into the semester.