You know that feeling..13 days left or maybe it’s 4 more weeks. However long it is – your students are driving you crazy and they’re driving each other crazy. But, you’re wondering how we will make it to the end. Don’t stress – I’ve got 5 really easy tips to help you survive the last days of the school year!
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Tip #1 – Move Student Desks
Whether you have had your students in rows or collaborative groups or whatever. This is a great time to change that. Giving students new desk partners will really help any squabbling that is happening right now. If your students have been sitting in rows – having a desk grouping might create more talking opportunities – but use that to your advantage! Teach them how to talk about their learning. I shared in this post how I get my students started on that OR you can just use these really helpful accountable talk partner cards.
If you already have students in groupings of 4 – 5 students – try creating a horseshoe or circle with desks. This creates one large group that is perfect for class discussions or using the Socratic Method.
Need inspiration? Here are 8 different desk arrangement ideas!
Tip #2 – Change the Way Students Line Up
Do you have a specific order that your students use to line up?
I love to change this up throughout the school just for fun! But, now is the time to do it if you haven’t already. Here are a few suggestions:
- tallest to shortest
- shortest to tallest
- ABC order by first name
- ABC order by last name
- by birthday month
- by color shirts
You can probably think of several other ways, but these are all super easy to do and keep it interesting for kids!
Tip #3 – New Incentives for Good Behavior
If you don’t use a treasure box normally – this suggestion will really be a popular one with your students!
- Buy a roll of raffle tickets at the dollar store or Walmart.
- Give out lots of tickets for good behavior.
- Have a box for students to put tickets in.
- At the end of the day, pull a ticket (or several). Make it dramatic!
- Have a *Treasure Box* full of really cheap goodies for students.
The key is to do this EVERY DAY. Kids are incentivized by this only if there is always a chance their ticket will be pulled.
*Treasure Box: get really cheap toys for your treasure box (McDonald’s Happy Meal toys, Target Dollar Spot, Dollar Stores, things your kids don’t want anymore, pretty pencils, erasers, and even gum.) Ask parents to donate things from their house. They’ll be happy to get rid of stuff!
Tip #4 – Change Your Instructional Style
If you teach from the front of the classroom – move. Sit among your students….sit on the counter…..just make a change! Give the chalk to your students and have them demonstrate how to solve that math problem. Let them read text aloud popcorn style. Keep their interest!
Tip #5 – Take It Outside
In almost every state – this is a great time to take your class outside! Whether you are doing a scavenger hunt for geometric shapes, looking for insects for Science, or doing read-aloud – being outside changes the whole day. Students love to spread out and enjoy the weather. Simple everyday tasks can be done outside. Math activities like error analysis and close reading comprehension activities are all better outside. Try it!
Try these 5 really easy tips to help you survive the last days of the school year! Just making small adjustments can make these days or weeks the best of the school year!
If you need some activity ideas for the last days and weeks of school:
- Area and Perimeter Error Analysis
- Multiplication Facts 1-12 Error Analysis
- Character Traits Close Reading
- Growth Mindset Activity Pack
Don’t have time right now? Pin this to one of your Pinterest Boards to access later!
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