End of the Year 1
It’s the end of the school year: warmer mornings, cool spring air, summer fever gaining momentum, and student motivation waning. Welcome to the end—you made it, be proud of yourself. This time of year, you may question your sanity. You're out of patience and your tolerance is gone. Looking forward to that big 10 week break keeps your optimism alive while you eagerly cross off the remaining days. At this time of year, consider what went well and what you can change for the following school year. Implementing new procedures, especially if they are drastic or large, should wait until the new school year.
This time of year consider these ideas: 1) give students more autonomy with project based learning 2) create group learning assignments 3) have students public speak 4) game based learning 5) social-emotional learning reflections 6) class award/party days 7) movie days with an assignment attached 8) fun activities that build community these final few weeks.
I am currently having the students complete their final argumentative essay (English teacher here) with a Google Slide presentation to go along with their arguments. Students had a choice of topics and will present their claims and counterclaims to the class. Students are working independently in the class while I conference as needed with writers. This allows me some much needed time to focus on grading and conferencing instead of designing lessons as they work daily on this project. Let your students work harder than you.
The last few weeks should also be for final preparation. After your finals, have fun with your students as you wrap-up the year. Students will look to test the waters now that school is ending. Expect students to become more brazen and for negative behavior to escalate in hallways, the cafeteria, and on campus. Limit students in the hallway and follow your bathroom/water policy. Unfortunately, some students think acting out the last few weeks of school won’t have repercussions the following school year.
As you reflect on your school year, think back to what went well and what needs work. Every year teaches us something new about the profession and ourselves. We become better teachers by thinking hard about our successes and failures. No teacher is perfect and remind yourself of all your positives. Your confidence will grow from all these experiences.
Lastly—this is a short blog. Don’t leave grading to the last minute and try to finish in early June. Give yourself some breathing room so you can clean up your classroom, spend time with co-workers, take part in professional development, and relax. Those last few days of the school year when you're cleaning up your classroom, listening to music, and laughing with your peers, is a great time. That last drive from the parking lot is always bittersweet, much like closing another chapter in your career, another year down. Time flies, so try to appreciate these fleeting moments.