I’m always surprised by the arrival of Thanksgiving break, and with it the reminder that the days of fall are truly numbered. Whether you’re buried under snow, visiting relatives, or grading this coming weekend, the turn of seasons often brings with it unexpected work from all directions.

To keep from being completely overwhelmed, I have a few strategies I’m trying to stick to for this Thanksgiving break:

• Pre-Holiday Grading Marathon: There are few things harder to face than cutting out of festivities for a pile of grading, however exciting the student work might be. I aim to enter any celebration periods with all the grading behind me, even if it means a weekend lost in advance.
• Internet-free Days: Whether it’s Thanksgiving, football, or a nice day for a good meal, there may be some days of celebration on your calendar. I like to mark off those days as completely…

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