The last two weeks of school can be tough....
Make the Days Count
Be responsive to those talking about great summer plans but do not overdo the grandeur of the amazing plans.
Be present to everyone in the classroom.
You are exhausted but there is a reason you choose to hang out with people much younger than you.
Be sensitive as you share your great summer plans.
No extreme celebrations as you count down the days.
Connect with your Students
- Put self-affirmations on kids' desks and or lockers.
- Write a specific memory about the child when signing their yearbook.
- Write letter, record a monologue, etc. explaining your journey with the class.
- Move class outside and sit within the group. Leave all materials inside including papers to grade, laptop, and cell phones.
- Read out loud to them your favorite age appropriate book(s) or poems.
- Make a point to have conversations with individuals. Offer a hand shake and say their name.
Survival Strategies
- Keep a routine. Your expectations should be the same as the first week of school.
- Keep your room intact. Removing bulletin boards and stacking desks communicate you have moved on.
- Create opportunities for students to reflect, self-assess, and set goals. Make them be accountable for the feedback and grading.
- Check out any technology today to guarantee you will have access.
- Creative planning...sidewalk with chalk for work area, time for movement activities, plan for a guest speaker.
- Take care of yourself. Proper sleep, enjoy a hobby, and connect with friends and family.
Bring movement into the classroom....
Add a twist to your quiz and answer game. Use a ready-made by you or a design from the internet, or even flashcards. Ask the questions as usual and call on students to answer. The catch, add a physical challenge to the game. The student with the correct answer gets to complete a physical challenge. If teams are needed, collect teams with all students with a correct answers or student/teacher chooses.
Ideas for a physical challenge:
- Bring in young children’s games: My students love Elefun, Gator Golf, and Flippin’ Frogs.
- Simple relay races: Pass ping pong balls with plastic spoons, race to build simple puzzles.
- Homemade games: Ping pong bounce into egg carton.
- Minute to Win-It Inspired games: Keep feather in the air using your breath, hula hoops, balance a marble on your forehead.
- Art Challenges: use a random generator app on computer to pick items. Students have 3 minutes to draw or create the item out of Play-doh. Drawing game can also resemble Pictionary.
I stress the importance of having fun without too much emphasis on winning. Some classes handle competition very well but others do not. Review volume control when presenting games to reduce disrupting neighboring classrooms.