How to take a mini break

Sometimes you find yourself stressed. Worn out. Operating on a shoestring. A little out of breath, maybe.

I have been there. Plentiful times. Here is what you need: a break.

Recently I did a live video about ‘teaching while meh’: what to do when you are not having a great day and also have a class to teach. Giving yourself a break (figuratively and literally) is a perfect way to practice some self care while you teach.

But breaks are also good for giving your mind a moment to process what is happening. To get some new inspiration. Or see the bigger picture.

On sometimes a break is just very practical. Like when I wanted to pair up my students in complementary duos for scenes. Or read through the sticky notes I asked them to write their ideas on.

Here are 4 examples of how to take mini breaks while you are teaching a class:

Plan an actual break in your class

About half way in the class, give your students and yourself a break. For instance: a 10 minute break to drink some water in a 2 hour class. Or a 1 minute silence with your eyes closed in a 20 minute workshop.

Play a game they know well

If you know this group, let them repeat a game or exercise they have done before. Often participants love repetition, it makes them feel knowledgable and safe.

Send them in small groups with a clear assignment

Let your students make groups and send them away with a clear mission. Also great for classes on Zoom, where you can use Breakout Rooms.

For instance: “Make groups of 4. Two players will play the scene, two will watch. One of audience members will give the location, the other calls the end of the scene. Talk about the scene briefly, then switch. Keep doing this until I bring you back.”

Play scenes without breaks

Let your students play scenes in front of the rest, but announce that they will not be discussed, or only at the very end.

For instance: “Everyone can take a seat. We will play 2 person scenes. You will go down the line of how you are sitting right now. Your neighbour is your scene partner. You ask for 1 suggestion. Anyone in the audience that sees an end calls out ‘End scene’.”

I am sure this goes without saying, but none of this inherently makes you a ‘lazy’ teacher. (I mean you can, but I am assuming that you read this far because you actually care about teaching)

In the breaks I took I have had the best ideas for exercises, finally saw a pattern in a group or I recharged myself to be fully present with them.

And yes, sometimes I used it to deal with a complaining neighbour that barged in. Or the bottle of juice that exploded in my purse. I may be the teacher but I am also only human ;)