Counting down the days can create anxiety and an environment that tends to be lax, however, there is value in discussing with your class what they are responsible for in these last days.
Giving students this type of ownership during a class meeting really sets the expectations high and makes it very clear what they are responsible for until the end of the year. Plus, you can constantly refer to
this chart, which beats reminding them of the same things over and over and over again!
In addition to having a class discussion about what they are responsible for until the end of the year, here are other things you can do to help motivate your students at the end of the year:
- Go Outside!! Use chalk to do math.
- Use new manipulative or create choice.
- STEM activities!!! Creating goals, Making plans, trying them out, failing, reworking, and sharing.
- What's in your pocket??-place math facts in each pocket or shoes if pockets are not there. Tell students you will ask:"what's in your(left or right) pocket." at any point during the day. This works with sight words and homophones too! Keeps your kids on their toes!
- Introduce lessons using a video or by acting out a scene!
In the end, it's about refocusing, motivating, and engaging. Just like you did in September!! We got this teachers! Each day we teach matters!
Speaking of September. You need a new theme for your classroom? I have got it right here.
LEGO SET
