In the final days of the school year, maintaining high energy in the classroom can be a challenge. With the help of Solution Tree, we’ve compiled a list of teaching strategies, ideas, and activities to keep the last days of the school year engaging and valuable.
End-of-Year Teaching Strategy: Maintain High Energy
As the school year winds down, it’s important to monitor and respond to energy shifts in the classroom. Keep an eye on the overall vibe of your class and be prepared to adjust accordingly. Whether it’s calming an over-excited class or boosting energy levels, staying attuned to these shifts can make a big difference.
Incorporating brain breaks into your daily routine can help combat stress and anxiety, especially during testing and exam periods. Whether it’s a quick dance party or some chair yoga, these breaks can refresh students and keep them engaged in the lesson.
Physical activity can also help boost energy levels in the classroom. Try incorporating movement into your lessons, such as changing partners for discussions or playing active math games. Getting students up and moving can help reenergize the class.
Consider flipping your classroom to keep students engaged. In a flipped classroom, students do prep work at home and spend class time actively engaging with the material. This approach can bring learning to life and keep students motivated.
End-of-Year Teaching Strategy: Use Humor
Humor can be a powerful tool in the classroom. By using humor to bring materials to life, you can create a more engaging and enjoyable learning environment. Share funny stories or poems with your students to keep them entertained and motivated.
Try incorporating a joke-of-the-day into your routine. Starting the day with a lighthearted joke can set a positive tone for the rest of the class. Connecting with students through humor can also help build rapport and create a more positive classroom culture.
End-of-Year Teaching Strategy: Reengage Their Interest
As the school year comes to a close, it’s important to reengage students who may be distracted by the upcoming summer break. Use hooks to grab their attention and make lessons more engaging. Pivot your media selections to introduce new and interesting content to keep students interested.
Changing up your classroom environment can also help reengage students. Consider rearranging desks or adding new decorations to create a fresh and exciting learning space. Boosting parent and family engagement can also help keep students focused and motivated as the school year ends.
End-of-Year Teaching Strategy: Make It Personal
Motivate students with personal projects that allow them to explore their interests and passions. Consider implementing independent reading passion projects or using choice boards to give students more autonomy in their learning. Service learning can also be a powerful way to make learning personal and meaningful for students.
End-of-Year Teaching Strategy: Keep Your Cool
Dealing with conflicts and misbehavior calmly is crucial, especially as the school year winds down. Taking a classroom coffee break or making use of planning periods can help you recharge and stay focused. Focusing on the positive and using positive language can also create a more supportive and encouraging classroom environment.
In conclusion, these teaching strategies can help you maintain high energy, use humor effectively, reengage students’ interest, make learning personal, and keep your cool as the school year comes to an end. By incorporating these strategies into your classroom, you can ensure that the last days of the school year are just as valuable as the first.
