I hope everyone had a relaxing break and had a chance to recharge before the we begin the final stretch run towards the end of the school year. This time can be can be challenging for many reasons. With MAP testing a week away, this is a frantic time in the classroom getting the Missouri Learning Standards completed before students are assessed. Once testing is completed, there are still numerous tasks that need to be accomplished before the end of the school year accompanied with everything that goes with the final days. Anyone with experience can tell you that this is also a difficult time keeping students engaged. Although this can be a difficult stretch, this time can also be an opportunity to accomplish many things that sometimes get put on the back burner.
For one, the end of the year provides a great time to acknowledge student success and learning. Sometimes with all that needs to completed we tend to forget to celebrate classroom and student successes. I would encourage you to find the time to celebrate with students all that was accomplished. This time also provides a great time to reflect and and plan for the future. Use this time to look back on successes and challenges of this year and take time to get feedback from students on ways you can improve instruction and classroom activities.
This is also a great time for students to showcase what they have learned this year in your class. I can tell you from experience that this is a great time to break from the regular routine and have students complete learning activities that are more student centered and project/problem based. A strategy that will help with engagement is providing students a choice in what they complete. Provide students multiple problems/projects to solve and have them select which one they want to complete. Students will take more ownership in their work and this will allow provide you feedback as to what tasks students enjoy completing.
As exciting as this time of year can be, it can also be just as difficult. Remember that you are not going at it alone and if you need any help or ideas, feel free to ask me because I would love to help. Have a great week and remember to BREAK UP YOUR OODA!!!
For one, the end of the year provides a great time to acknowledge student success and learning. Sometimes with all that needs to completed we tend to forget to celebrate classroom and student successes. I would encourage you to find the time to celebrate with students all that was accomplished. This time also provides a great time to reflect and and plan for the future. Use this time to look back on successes and challenges of this year and take time to get feedback from students on ways you can improve instruction and classroom activities.
This is also a great time for students to showcase what they have learned this year in your class. I can tell you from experience that this is a great time to break from the regular routine and have students complete learning activities that are more student centered and project/problem based. A strategy that will help with engagement is providing students a choice in what they complete. Provide students multiple problems/projects to solve and have them select which one they want to complete. Students will take more ownership in their work and this will allow provide you feedback as to what tasks students enjoy completing.
As exciting as this time of year can be, it can also be just as difficult. Remember that you are not going at it alone and if you need any help or ideas, feel free to ask me because I would love to help. Have a great week and remember to BREAK UP YOUR OODA!!!