Today I’m grateful for the least full-mooniest full moon I can remember.

11.27.2023

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I left my house really early this morning and got a glimpse of the beautiful full moon, sitting just above the peak of my roof. It was fairly cloudy out, but the moon had found the perfect spot to settle in the sky. My view of the full, bright, round moon was unobstructed and the light reflecting off of it shone brighter than even the brightest Christmas lights on my block.

Although I was struck with its beauty, my thoughts immediately turned to school. I hadn’t realized until that moment that it was a full moon day. Oh boy, here we go.

As any elementary school teacher will tell you, full moons tend to have a less than desirable effect on our days. I’m pretty sure ER nurses would tell you the same thing. I don’t know if there’s a science behind it or how it all really works, but I’ve experienced it enough times over the years to believe there’s something to it. Let’s just say that things tend to be a bit magnified when the moon is at its fullest. And by things, I mean everything – emotions, conflicts, my need to repeat directions. Everything.

I mentally braced myself for the potential of a rough day transitioning back into school mode after a long holiday weekend, coupled with a full moon. But when I met my students on the playground this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to find the calmest, most chill group of students ever. They came in the classroom, unpacked their backpacks, and got right to work. They listened and followed directions and participated fully. They worked hard and played nicely together on the playground. It was a beautiful day.

I don’t know what was up with today or how we escaped the pull of the moon this month, but the entire day was smooth – almost freakishly so. It was the least full-mooniest full moon I’ve probably ever experienced as a teacher. And man, oh man, am I ever grateful!