3 Ways Teachers Can Relax, Connect With Teen Culture This Summer
For many high school teachers, summer break isn't a vacation.
Some spend summer planning for next year, writing curriculums, taking classes, teaching summer school or working second jobs.
But taking some time off this summer could help teachers feel recharged and get ready for the new school year -- and connect with their students.
The following are some great ways to relax that can also help high school teachers catch up on teen culture.
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1. Read a good book: Many educators on Twitter shared with U.S. News that reading for pleasure was on their summer to-do list.
@alipannoni @USNewsEducation I am recharging by taking weekend trips and lots of reading for myself!
-- Amanda Nasser (@msnasser1024) July 9, 2015
@alipannoni @USNewsEducation reading a lot, reflecting more, relaxing a little
-- Erica DeVoe (@Mrs_DeVoe) July 9, 2015
@alipannoni @USNewsEducation spending my summer doing some content reading to fill in the gaps in my knowledge, which is also fun for me!
-- Christina VDBergh (@vandencm) July 9, 2015
High school teachers can read popular teen books like, "Paper Towns" by John Green, "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell and "Splintered" by A.G. Howard this summer. When discussing these titles with students come fall, teachers may be surprised to learn teens actually prefer print books to digital copies.
For high school teachers who want to read something education-related, ASCD, a professional association for educators, created a summer reading list for teachers.
2. Catch up on entertainment: Some teachers may want to relax by binge-watching televisions shows they may have missed during the school year.
But teachers interested in catching up on what students watch may want to skip traditional TV shows geared toward that audience. Many teens are watching YouTube instead.
The most influential celebrities among Americans ages 13 to 18 are YouTube stars, according to a 2014 survey by Variety, an industry publication. YouTube comedy stars Smosh and the Fine Bros. topped the list, while mainstream Hollywood celebrities such as Jennifer Lawrence and Katy Perry didn't even make the top five.
High school teachers could also view videos to enhance their teaching this summer. Education website Edutopia and National Geographic offer videos for teachers online.
3. Enjoy the great outdoors: Some educators on Twitter shared with U.S. News that they were heading outside to recharge.
@alipannoni @USNewsEducation by backpacking through Europe. It's great to put yourself into a new learning situation!
-- Lauren Hartman (@lbhartman) July 9, 2015
@alipannoni @USNewsEducation I also have to learn how to fly fish. I've gone hiking and binged-read Ready Player One.
-- Michael Milton (@42ThinkDeep) July 9, 2015
@alipannoni @USNewsEducation hiking the Sierras and the CA coast also exploring historical sites throughout the state pic.twitter.com/WjtHR0LVT0
-- Kevin Dobson (@The_kdobson) July 9, 2015
But high school teachers don't need to leave their hometown to enjoy nature. Swimming, hiking, kayaking or biking -- many activities teens will be doing while at camp this summer -- can all be done at home. For teachers who really want to go back to camp, there are some adult summer camps.
Educators who still have teaching on their minds could plan outdoor activities for the next school year. That's one way to teach constantly connected students how to unplug and enjoy nature, wrote Mary Ellen Flannery in a post for the National Education Association.
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Or high school teachers could try the latest craze among Minneapolis teens -- relaxing in hammocks.
"We try to hammock once or twice a week," Hanna Garzon, told a local publication, MinnPost. "The city is so loud, and when you come and hammock, it's so peaceful and quiet and you really get to enjoy nature."
Have something of interest to share? Send your news to us at highschoolnotes@usnews.com.
Alexandra Pannoni is an education staff writer at U.S. News. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at apannoni@usnews.com.
