End of the Year!
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.
Part 2
It's that special time of the year. You're probably in full preparation mode now. Reviewing everything you taught this year, make review fun and gamify lessons as much as you can. Blooket, Kahoot, GimKit are great digital game sites that make learning fun for students. These sites keep students engaged, and you can keep playing these games for more and more practice. Get your finals done early, so you have time to grade. If you plan on giving your final in the middle of June, maybe look at what grading method you plan to employ. In years past, I would give a 100 question multiple-choice test. This year, I chose a project-based assignment. My students this year are writing an argumentative essay and creating a Google Slides presentation. It's more work for me, but the essay and presentation are due before June 1st. This will give me time to focus on grading their assignments. Be particular about your grading method. You really need to make your life easier because we juggle so much. June is a great time to reflect, organize your lessons for the next school year, take part in PD classes, enjoy your students, and take a breath of fresh air.
The best part of June is graduation, seeing former students with their families, and closing the book on another year. Years ago, I had a student in my class who lived in the suspension room. Her grades were not great. I remember her family considered moving her out of the district. Senior students from my district take part in walk-throughs to their former middle and elementary schools. At the back of the line, all discombobulated, I saw my former student from middle school. She made it! A few other students came up and hugged me. Not going to lie, I haven't seen some of them in 4 years; I forgot some of their names! It was a great experience and feelings to see former students succeed and make it to the top. In our daily grind, we don't get that appreciation that inspires us to push through those challenging moments and times. There are those special moments that make us realized why we signed up for this job.
The best way to end June is through movies, games, social events, reflective assignments, having students teach the class, class parties, celebrations, and award days. These are your last few weeks with your students. Enjoy these moments, especially when the 1 or 2 kids start pressing your buttons and acting out. Leave them with a smile on their face, if you can. You're almost there!