There is a substantial amount of teacher lore that suggests that there is a correlation between classroom behavior and full moons. While there is no scientific evidence to suggest that the lunar schedule impacts the behavior of school children, the researchers are not likely classroom teachers. Almost all teachers can offer anecdotal evidence that the gravitational pull that can control the oceans can certainly interfere with the cognitive and behavioral  patterns of young learners. Whether or not you believe in the lunar effect on classrooms, Emergency Rooms and police precincts, you should be prepared for some days that seem as if the planets are out of order. Children who are usually compliant are “off the chain.” Unforeseen emergencies seem to crop up every fifteen minutes. Somebody gets injured on the playground. Your math lesson was a flop. The principal just called a Code Orange and you have no idea what a Code Orange is. If this characterizes your classroom and there happens to be a full moon, draw your own conclusions. But, you should know that some days are just like that. Sometimes the best made plans fail to work. In situations like that; pause, then restart with a new focus. There is really no interest in a reason (lunar cycle or otherwise) for things not going according to plan. 

As you approach holidays, especially ones that involve sugar or candy, I can assure you that sugar can affect student behavior. All holiday parties are at  the end of the day for a reason. The whole week before Christmas, teachers often have a fun activity that they hold over the students as a carrot to get them to concentrate on school work in order to enjoy the art activity near the end of the day.

As a new teacher, I braced myself for Halloween and Valentines Day because they involved candy and chocolate, but I didn’t even plan on the day AFTER each of those holidays. The students were so sugared up the following day that I was already behind before the day even started. The best way to prevent your own frustration is to understand that those days leading up to holidays (and often the days after) need to be modified from your original schedule. Plan movement, art, or music that children want to get to do that will happen as a result of their cooperation. In the early grades, we celebrate everything from Dr. Seuss’ birthday to the 100th day of school in addition to all of the other standard holiday celebrations. Those special events contribute to the children viewing school as a happy place to come. Embrace those celebrations…and save the sugar for the last thing in the day!

Again, I stress the importance of recess and play, as well as extra attention to hydration,  especially on these “:special celebration “ days and the full moon. It’s critical for the mental and emotional health of everyone.

Pamela Webster, M. Ed., SPED