The last month of the school year is usually filled with one activity after another. Students and adults can begin to feel anxious about the impending end of the academic year. While it’s great to break from the normal curriculum, teachers still need to incorporate classroom structure.
Somewhere along the line, some students and teachers began thinking that learning ends when state assessments have been completed. I’m not sure where this originated, but it’s a dangerous practice. I’m not saying that there should not be any fun days to end the school year, but there needs to be structure. How do we find a balance?
The weeks after assessments is a time for teachers and students to take a collective sigh. The key to keeping things from getting out of control is planning. Classroom procedures that have been in place all school year should not be abandoned.
One idea is to check the curriculum of the grade level that students will matriculate to the next school year. What will students learn at the beginning of the next year? This could be a no stress way to teach new content. Will students remember what they learned when school starts the next year? Some of them might, but it’s still a way to keep learning happening.
Secondly is project based learning. Students can use previously learned skills in a practical way. Students working together in groups to produce a product provides motivation to be an active participant in learning.
Lastly, are all of the fun things planned to end the school year. Field trips, awards days, and field day activities could keep students excited about their remaining school days. These are just a few ideas.
I am in no way minimizing the challenge of keeping students engaged through the end of the school year. Doing things that students enjoy while ensuring that procedures are still followed can help teachers keep their sanity. This can be an enjoyable time of the year if you keep the proper perspective and plan accordingly.
My Life In Education… 