'Tis the season for cancelled classes

It's always a difficult challenge to plan lessons for the month or more of classes after students have completed their curriculum and written their final exams. Basically, I have free reign to make 'free topic' lessons on a topic of my choosing. The students are not particularly interested in learning or paying attention, so I need to make the lessons fun with engaging games or videos. Thankfully, I don't need to completely fill the time myself, since there is an unusually high number of cancelled classes at this time of year.

Last week on Tuesday, two of my five classes were cancelled at my boys' middle school. A guest lecturer was brought in from outside the school to speak about a topic. I was not informed of the topic, but when my co-teacher realized it was our two classes that were cancelled she squealed with joy. The two classes are by far the worst, most difficult classes in the school. Teachers always complain about the classes and lament when it's their turn to teach them. Thus, the complete joy when both of those classes were cancelled for the guest lecturer.

Back at my main school on Wednesday, I walked into a third-grade class fully prepared to teach a Christmas lesson and sing 'Santa Claus is coming to town' with my students. But several students met me at the door and pleaded with me to let them practice their dance routine for the school festival instead of having English class. It was, in their words, 'very important that they practice dancing.' They explained that they had seen another class's dance routine realized theirs wasn't up to par.

I consulted with the Korean co-teacher and we decided to let the kids practice their dance routine. I just sat back and watched the class try to choreograph and synchronize their moves to the soundtrack of a K-pop compilation. I was actually really impressed with their dance moves, although some of the less enthusiastic students were clearly just going through the motions. I decided to give all of my 3rd grades classes time to dance instead of teaching. They were more than happy to have an active class, and I was pleased to sit down and watch. I gave each student a candy cane at the end of the lesson.

The next week on Wednesday, the PE teacher had asked to take my first period class for an activity. I wouldn't need to teach. I readily agreed to this - another cancelled class. As it turned out, she also wanted my second period class as well. I learned that when I went to the class at the scheduled time and found it empty.

That very same day, after my morning classes were cancelled, I learned that a student at my boys' school had test positive for COVID-19. I would need to leave the school to go get tested. This meant that my afternoon classes were to be cancelled as well. I didn't teach a single class on that day. My COVID-19 test came back negative early the next day.

Thursday was officially the day of the much anticipated school festival, so again all classes were cancelled that day. I observed the students perform various musical, dramatic, and dance performances from my seat in the gymnasium. It was entertaining, and I couldn't help but take a small bit of credit for giving my students extra practice time to perfect their dance. No, not really. But the students did a great job and I was amazed at how talented the students were.

Friday was Christmas Eve. Classes were held in the morning. I finally had classes to teach - this time, two classes of second year students in the morning. Afternoon classes were cancelled and teachers were free to leave the school at 1:30pm. I had the head teacher and vice-principal approve and sign for my early leave, then I was out the door. For this one week, 11 of my 21 classes were cancelled. It was an interesting but restful week. Merry Christmas, everyone!