As the end of the school year approaches, it's tempting to let things wind down and coast through the final weeks. However, finishing the school year strong is crucial for both students and educators. It sets the tone for a positive end to the academic year and lays the groundwork for a smooth transition into the next school year. This is the first part of a two-part series focusing on a successful end of the school year.  

Maintaining Momentum

Ending the school year on a high note helps maintain momentum and motivation among students. It encourages them to stay engaged and focused rather than succumb to the distractions that often accompany the end of the year. While it is a colossal contradiction, keep a schedule as best you can with all the end-of-year activities, ceremonies, and field trips. 

Integrate Fun Curricular Activities

The end of the school year is an opportunity to reinforce and consolidate the learning that has taken place throughout the year. By revisiting key concepts and skills, students can solidify their understanding and feel more confident in their abilities. 

Integrate fun and interactive curricular activities into your lessons to keep students engaged and motivated. Consider incorporating hands-on projects, group activities, task cards, or outdoor learning experiences that make learning enjoyable and memorable. Don’t just sit and stare at screens! 

What are your favorite ways to spiral content? What can you do to prepare your current students for next year? Bring in fun and new ways for students to demonstrate their mastery of skills. Integrating art, music, movement, and student-led lessons or presentations is the perfect place to start.  

Helpful Resources: 

https://jeopardylabs.com  Build one yourself or use one already created! 

https://www.canva.com/education/ Canva has amazing templates for activities.

https://www.breakoutedu.com/ Try one of the free online digital escape rooms!

https://playscrabble.com/ Until you can build a class set with donations, yard sales, or grants, online word games are great!  https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.html

 
Celebrating Achievements

The end of the school year is a time to celebrate students' achievements and accomplishments. Recognizing students ' efforts can boost their self-esteem and sense of accomplishment, whether academic success, personal growth, or extracurricular achievements. Gang, please remember to recognize students for more than just report card grades.  

Nontraditional Countdown

Instead of simply counting down the days until the end of the school year, create a nontraditional countdown that builds excitement and anticipation. For example, you could have themed days, special events, or surprise activities planned for each remaining day of the school year.

We spend so much time, energy, and even money to make school a place where they want to go. We encourage great attendance rates and keep them coming back. Counting down until school concludes is counterproductive.  

Upgrade your paperchain countdown to maintain your classroom's climate and culture. Choose five to ten positive words that your classroom respects and values. Write those words on the paper links! Make it the word of the day, a focus of class discussion, a lead by example, and praise for those who demonstrate that word through their actions in class.  Make a paper crown with those words!  Need a list of words to get you started? Check this out! 

Teach Until the End

“I’m done with my curriculum.” No, you’re not even close.   

Resist the temptation to start winding down early and continue teaching meaningful lessons until the last day of school. Use this time to revisit important concepts, engage in review activities, and provide closure on the year's learning objectives.  

My friends, this is where the differences between compliance and commitment come to light.  Compliance is finishing your curriculum with the mindset of being done for the year.  Commitment is using every moment left to teach critical skills and build relationships with your students.  

 Don't miss this blog! https://www.standtallsteve.com/blog/navigating-the-school-landscape-commitment-vs-compliance 

Make Kids Excited to Come to School

Create a positive and welcoming atmosphere that excites students to come to school daily. Plan special events, field trips, or guest speakers that add excitement and variety to the final weeks of the school year.

It is important to remember that not all students are excited for the end of the year.  For some students, the routine of a school day provides much-needed consistency.  That consistency also includes meals, socialization, and a safe place. It can be heartbreaking to learn what some youngsters experience in the summer. 

“Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s ending.”

It is human nature to compare yourself to others, and teaching is no different. This applies to first-year teachers and veteran teachers alike.   Resist the peer pressure to go over the top like the Pinterest Teacher down the hall. Sure, step out of your comfort zone to try something new.  But keep it reasonable.  This also applies to the Toxic Tammy across the way; if you want to lead fun and engaging lessons- do it! Instead of feeling trapped in a peer pressure situation, imagine if your team leaned on each other! Leave with a positive feeling for YOU!

 Ending the school year strong is essential for reinforcing learning, maintaining motivation, and preparing for the future. By integrating fun curricular activities, using a nontraditional countdown, teaching until the end of the school year, and preparing for the next year, educators can ensure a positive and productive end to the academic year. Let's finish strong and set the stage for an even brighter future! Join us at the beginning of June for tips on how to Start Strong! 

Integrated Schools Summit: Nashville

See us in the Exhibition Hall! We have tables and would love to connect with you. I will host an interactive keynote, “Unlocking Climate and Culture.”

Nashville: https://innovativeschoolssummit.com/nashville/

Las Vegas: https://innovativeschoolssummit.com/vegas/ 

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 Join me in the City of Brotherly Love (Philadelphia) on June 28, 29th, and 30th for the WOR retreat at Holiday Inn Express Midtown. Don't let your goldmine of knowledge and expertise go untapped. Unlock your potential as a professional speaker and trainer with Within Our Ranks. Embrace this transformative coaching program and embark on a journey to become an influential voice in educational speaking. Together, let's make an impact and inspire others through the power of effective communication.

Learn more today! https://www.withinourranks.com/ or Schedule a time to talk with me!