The end of the school year is slowly approaching, and I’ve noticed that “Spring Fever” is setting in in my classroom.
You know the symptoms…
· Lack of effort
· Lack of concentration
· Talking, talking, and more talking
· Silly or below-grade-level behavior
To name a few!
If it is going around your classroom, let me share a small piece of wisdom a teacher shared with me.
Many of these end-of-the-year issues may not always be what we think. Sometimes these issues are because our students are feeling stressed.
Suddenly, they realize they are moving up a grade level or, in my case (fifth grade), a new school. In addition to leaving their routine, the expectations they understand, and perhaps even the friends they have made, they are also leaving their familiar environment. The unknown can be scary!
As much as we teachers look forward to long summer days relaxing, our students may not be experiencing the same emotions. For some kids, summer means a long time without structure. It could mean long days of babysitting younger siblings or being babysat by a sibling. It could mean spending more time in a chaotic or loud house.
6 Tips to Help Your Students Cope With the End of the School Year
Take a field trip to the new grade level or school.
Collaborate with next year’s grade-level teachers to visit their classrooms. Let your students see firsthand how great next year will be!
Have one or two teachers from the next grade level teach your class a fun lesson.
Trade classes for an hour or so while one of next year’s teachers comes by your classroom and teaches a lesson. Keep it light, fun, and successful!
Invite the grade level below to come by and buddy up with your students.
Ease next year’s student’s fears by having them come by and speak with your current students. Encourage your students to share tips, advice, and success during the year.
Discuss how your students may be feeling.
Change is difficult for everyone!
This is a great time to discuss coping strategies and dealing with change in our lives.
Reassure your students that if they want to visit, they are welcome at appropriate times.
Remind them that you will never forget them and can’t wait to see how well they will do next year.
Have them write letters to the next class.
Most students love to give their opinions and advice! Let them write letters to next year’s class. Keep those letters and give them out to your new incoming class in the fall.
Last year, I had my current students create a digital presentation that I could show my incoming class. Each student created a slide with tips, advice, and encouragement for the new fifth graders. They loved putting it together. It was a great way to walk down memory lane and remember the challenges, the fun, and how much we had grown during the year.
I hope these six tips for helping you get through the end of the school year.
Remember to check out my Print and Digital Letters to Next Year’s Students.
For more teacher tips, encouragement, and random thoughts, follow me on Instagram @teach.with.tina.
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