5 Ways to Thrive in the Last Few Weeks of School

For those of us who are on a traditional school calendar, the end is near! For those of you on year round or balanced calendars, I see you, too- spring time can be even more challenging for you! We come back from spring break and dive into testing, testing, testing, field trips, awards, spring sports, graduation and proms, and BAM! it is all done before you know it. It can be a stressful and trying time, but it also can be the most fun and memorable time of year for your students. Here are a few ways to finish the years strong, and remember to enjoy your kids.

If You Have Personal Days, Use Them

If you are fortunate enough to have any leftover PTO or personal days to use, make sure you plan them out and get that day off before other people put theirs in. You are completely useless to your students if you are not taking care of yourself. Make sure to use those days, even if you only end up sleeping in until 10 and watching Friends on Netflix- that actually sounds like an amazing day to me! You will thank yourself when you get to sleep in on that well timed random Tuesday.

Show Them What You Love

The end of the school year can also be a fun time to stray from teaching out of the box and show the students what you're passionate about. It's easy for me to link Harry Potter with my curriculum because I'm an English teacher. I have students take personality self evaluations using vocabulary words that describe the traits of the four Hogwarts Houses. It takes me some time, but I actually sort all of my students into a Hogwarts House, they wear their badges in my class, and they compete for a House Cup, earning and losing points. Even if the the students haven't read Harry Potter, they get really into the camaraderie and totally own their House.   

This student took it upon himself to create a Slytherin uniform- proud teacher moment!

Have a Friendly Competition

In addition to a House Cup, I've also done Math Olympics, back when I taught a 3/4 grade split. You could host some sort of "Olympics" event based on a part of your content area you really want students to drill and practice. For me, it was basic multiplication. 

I organized my students into teams and made them apply to be team captains. The captains ran training sessions each day for 10-15 minutes when they came in from recess before we started math. On Fridays, instead of moving forward on math, we did various games that demonstrated math skills. At the end of the last marking period, we had a closing ceremony and gave awards to the winners.

Keep Rooting for Your Kids 

Patience can run thin. Time is running out, the weather is getting nice, and all of our minds can be elsewhere. This makes testing especially grueling. On these long days, students can do nothing but long stressful tests, and then read when they are done. I created these simple Affirmation Bookmarks to give students a simple reminder that they are loved and appreciated, no matter how they feel after a test. I left plenty of extra space around the sides in case you want to personalize it for your specific students. Download free here.

Embrace Tradition or Start Your Own

The schools in my county have a gigantic 5th grade track meet every year. It's been going on for longer than I've been alive, and many of my students' parents remember participating in it. I think that is so cool and special, and I'm grateful to be a small part in a huge event. 

Additionally, we go to a minor league baseball game every year. For many of our students, it may be the only time in their life they go to a baseball game, and we work hard with our fundraising to give them that experience.

If your school doesn't already have a tradition, start your own! Talk to your kids and find out what they want to do. Find a need in your community and act on it. Plan a walking field trip, if that's accessible to you. 

No matter how big or small of an endeavor you take on, remember that your relationship with your students- the way you treat them- is what they will remember for years to come. Even if you do none of these things, do your best to love on them and let them know they hold a special place in your heart. 

Any other ideas to get through the last few weeks? Does your school have a cool tradition?