I was wondering how to reintroduce a lesson interrupted by unexpected days off (such as due to weather). Also, if the majority of the class is absent do you do an alternative lesson and finish the planned one when all the students are back?
— L., South Dakota

Interruptions are the norm, not the exception in education!

How you deal with interruptions will ultimately depend on several factors—the timing in your lesson plan, the complexity of the topic, number of students absent, and even day of the week can all influence your choice.

You should anticipate interruptions during the times of year you’re likely to encounter them. Build in some make-up days into your unit planning for those months. If you’re lucky and don’t get any interruptions then you have some “spare” days to do some more intensive lessons or labs, show videos, build in a field trip, review for assessments, and so forth.

I feel it is best to wait until you have most, if not the entire, class back before you finish a lesson. Students should not be put at a disadvantage because they missed class for an unforeseen and excusable event. For students who do make it to school, you could have an enrichment activity, additional videos, a work period, or have impromptu review and discussions. It may also be a good time to introduce a longer-term research project you may have planned and give some work time. Absent students can easily pick up the project instructions next class while the others continue to work.

Hope this helps!

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