Surviving the final week of school is daunting. Teachers and students are ready for it to end. However, it’s essential to maintain a normal routine and reinforce classroom rules. However, the end of the year sometimes needs new and improved rules. It’s important to continue to keep students learning. Keeping everything as normal as possible helps keep everyone grounded.
As the weather quickly turns to summer temperatures, some adjustments can be made in the classroom. Conduct lessons outside the school. This keeps everyone interested. Students can sit in the grass and read, take a walk, or observe and practice writing skills. It’s essential to strike a balance between quality work and fun.
Surviving- Not Overwhelming
It is important not to be overwhelmed with grading papers and conducting assessments. Save time through streamlining the classwork. It’s tough enough to pack up a classroom, work on grades, and keep students focused and learning.
- Use rubrics and peer or self-assessments.
- Take extra outside breaks to refresh or combine two classrooms to work on a project in groups.
- Set a daily or weekly classroom goal to keep students on task and engaged.
- The end of the year is an ideal time to introduce speakers to the classroom.
- Create literature circles where students read and discuss books.
- Educational board games are fun, but can be noisy.
- Celebrate with a rewards day.
- Have a move-up day to introduce students to he next grade level.
There are many activities to keep students’ attention in the last couple of weeks of school.
Students need Closure
The end of the school year is difficult for many students. Students have many emotions about the close of school. They miss friends and fear the new transition of the new year. Give students closure through discussions and activities.
- Through pictures, students can create dialogue clouds for past classroom activities.
- Practice writing skills by writing a letter or postcard to a future student about activities to look forward to in the class.
- Write a letter to their future self.
- Celebration with leftover snacks and prizes.
Make the year meaningful. Focus on teamwork and creativity to give students a happy reflection of the end of the year. Wind up the school year with good memories. Reflect on how much the students have grown academically.
It’s a challenge to keep students focused as the last day of school is near. New assignments that need to be graded aren’t necessary. Engage students through activities that are fun to bring the year to an end.
