The Word for Today is Adaptability

This past week, I had a lesson in being adaptable.  Monday was picture day.  Originally we were to take each class to the auditorium for pictures.  First period we headed there and quickly found that the picture people were falling woefully behind.  The principal came down and changed the schedule so students would be called by homerooms.  All the kids who were in the auditorium for first period pictures got sent back.  The rest of the day was spent trying to do quiet activities in the gym so we could hear the homerooms being called for pictures.

Tuesday was bleacher inspection day!  It was supposed to happen on picture day but the bleacher guys were running behind.  Of course we were having downpours and flash flooding outside. (No, I'm not making that up for humorous effect)  My partner in crime, Matt and I quickly came up with and alternate plan for the day so our two classes could work together and play in the gym without being in the way of the bleacher inspectors.

Teachers HAVE to be adaptable.  These kinds of things happen on at least a weekly basis.  If you can't adapt, things don't get done.  You also have a teachable moment every time you have to adapt.  When your students see you change to plan B without a meltdown, they see it.  Hopefully that will help them learn to do the same someday when they need to.