Hi teacher friend,

By mid-December, I stop pretending.

I’m not trying to be inspiring.

I’m trying to make it to the bell without losing my voice, my patience, or my last remaining brain cell.

The kids are tired.

We’re tired.

And somehow everyone still expects “engaging lessons” while the calendar is actively working against us.

So here’s the shift I’ve learned to make in December — and it’s saved my sanity more than once.

I stop fighting December.

And I start planning for quiet wins.

Instead of big projects, loud activities, or anything that requires high energy (from them or me), I lean into work that is:

• structured

• predictable

• independent

• self-checking or fast feedback

• short enough to actually finish

Nothing fancy. Nothing shiny.

Just calm, contained tasks with a clear finish line.

And here’s the important part:

this still counts as real teaching.

Students stay focused because they know what to do.

You’re not interrupted every 20 seconds.

The room is quieter.

And you walk out feeling… okay. Not amazing — but okay is a win in December.

Some days, the goal is not “best lesson of the year.”

The goal is:

✔ students working

✔ you breathing

✔ everyone surviving until winter break

That’s it. That’s the bar. And it’s more than enough.

If tomorrow feels heavy, give yourself permission to lower the volume — literally and mentally. Calm work is not lazy teaching. It’s smart teaching when energy is low and time is weird.

You’ve already done so much this year.

December doesn’t need more from you.

Just steady. Just doable.

If you already own no-prep or self-checking activities, this is exactly the week to use them. Save the big, exciting stuff for January — Future You will be very grateful.

PS: If you’re teaching 5th–8th grade, you might also like my full Math Review Choice Board Bundles and the 6th Grade Guided Notes & Activities Growing Bundle:

🎯 6th Grade Bundle

🎯 7th Grade Bundle

🎯 8th Grade Bundle

🌱 5th Grade Growing Bundle

And my Guided Notes

📘 6th Grade Math Guided Notes & Activities – Full Year Growing Bundle

Feel free to share this email with any fellow math teachers who might appreciate fun, no-prep resources. 💌

Let's connect:

TPT

BOOM CARDS

Math through Play: Gamification in Education

Matemaths.eu

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