Yesterday, little Sophia asked me if I was okay because my eye was twitching. Ay, mija, if only you knew. It's December 15th, and I'm pretty sure I've survived on coffee and sheer willpower for the past two weeks.

December in the classroom is like trying to teach during a perpetual sugar rush while someone plays Jingle Bells on repeat in the background. The kids are bouncing off the walls, parents are stressed about holiday plans, and we're all just trying to make it to winter break without completely losing our minds.

After 22 years of December chaos, I've learned a thing or two about survival mode. Not thriving mode, not Pinterest-perfect-classroom mode. Just good old-fashioned survival.

Accept the Chaos (It's Not You, It's December)

First thing first: lower your expectations. I know, I know. We're teachers. We don't do "lower expectations." But hear me out.

That perfectly planned lesson about fractions? The one where you imagined your students would sit quietly and absorb every word? Yeah, that's not happening when Marcus keeps humming "All I Want for Christmas" and Isabella is convinced she saw a reindeer outside the window.

I used to fight this. I'd get frustrated when my carefully crafted lessons fell apart because the kids couldn't focus. I'd stay up late redoing plans, thinking I just needed to make them more engaging, more interactive, more perfect.

What I learned the hard way is that December has its own energy, and fighting it is like trying to swim upstream in a hurricane.

Embrace the Wiggle

This year, I've built movement into everything. We do jumping jack multiplication tables. We act out story problems. We take "reindeer breaks" where everyone gets to stretch and shake out their jitters.

Last week, I had the kids do a gallery walk for their writing pieces, but instead of walking normally, they had to move like different Christmas characters. Watching 24 fourth graders tiptoe like elves while reading each other's work was ridiculous and perfect.

The key is channeling that energy instead of trying to contain it. Think of yourself as a river guide, not a dam builder.

Simplify Everything

Remember those elaborate holiday projects you pinned last summer? The ones with seventeen steps and require materials from three different stores? Delete them from your brain right now.

This month, simple is your best friend. We made snowflakes from coffee filters and talked about symmetry. Done. We read holiday stories from different cultures and made a simple chart comparing traditions. Finished. We estimated how many candy canes would fit in a jar and then counted to check. Easy and educational.

My rule for December activities: if I can't explain it in two sentences or if it requires more than three materials, it's too complicated.

Create Calm Corners

Even in the chaos, kids need spaces to decompress. I've set up a "North Pole Reading Nook" with some pillows, soft lighting, and quiet books. When someone gets overwhelmed (including me), we know where to go.

I also started doing two-minute breathing exercises after lunch. We pretend we're blowing on hot chocolate to cool it down. Sounds silly, pero it works. Those two minutes reset all of us for the afternoon.

Manage Your Own Energy

Here's what nobody tells you about December teaching: you're running on empty while everyone expects you to be merry and bright.

I've stopped trying to be Super Teacher this month. I wear comfortable shoes every day. I keep granola bars in my desk drawer. I say no to extra commitments without guilt.

Last Tuesday, I completely forgot about the holiday concert practice until ten minutes before we were supposed to be there. Old me would have panicked and beat myself up about it. Current me just grabbed the kids and said, "Field trip to the music room!" They thought it was an adventure.

Focus on Connection Over Content

I know we have standards to meet and data to collect, but December is really about maintaining relationships. The kids are stressed too. They're dealing with family expectations, changes in routine, and their own holiday excitement and anxiety.

I've been doing more check-ins and less formal assessments. We have "morning meetings" where kids can share what's on their minds. Sometimes it's excitement about presents, sometimes it's worry about family drama. Either way, it helps me understand where their heads are at.

The Parent Factor

Let's be real about December parents. They're planning parties, buying gifts, managing family visits, and trying to keep their own kids from completely losing it at home. They're not trying to make our lives harder, but they're stressed too.

I send home a simple newsletter each week with reminders and a gentle note that it's okay if homework doesn't get done perfectly. I'd rather have a kid who got enough sleep than one who stayed up late struggling with math problems while the whole family is decorating the tree.

Remember Why We're Here

In all the December madness, it's easy to forget that this is actually a pretty magical time to be with kids. Their excitement is genuine and infectious. Their wonder at simple things reminds us why we love this job.

Yesterday, after the eye-twitching incident, Sophia came back to my desk and whispered, "Mrs. Santos, I think you're the best teacher even when you're tired."

That's the stuff that gets us through, isn't it?

Your December Survival Kit

Here's what's getting me through this month: - Lower expectations and higher patience - Movement built into every lesson - Simple activities that still hit learning goals - Quiet spaces for overwhelmed moments - Grace for myself when things don't go perfectly - Focus on relationships over rigid schedules

We're almost there, friends. Just a few more days until we can collapse on our couches and remember why we love teaching. Until then, take it one candy cane at a time.

How are you surviving December? What's working in your classroom? Share your strategies in the comments. We're all in this together, and sometimes just knowing we're not alone makes all the difference.

Hang in there. You've got this.