Keep Moving!

In the words of Albert Einstein, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

This time of year in the classroom can definitely make us feel like we’re losing our balance, can’t it? In schools, the end of April often feels like ‘the beginning of the end’. Our students are beginning to feel the warm, sunny days beckoning to them and might be overhearing their parents and families beginning to plan for summer childcare or a trip out of town. At the same time, teachers are beginning to feel the burden of end of the school year paperwork and might be overhearing chatter about next year’s placements and so forth. As we approach the ‘beginning of the end’ of the school year, students and teachers alike could be feeling a mix of emotions that can affect everyone’s behavior and interest in the classroom. Does this sound familiar to you? If so, we’re here to help! Check out these quick tips that will surely guide you toward keeping your balance and finishing strong & joyfully for your students.

Establish Attainable Goals

One surefire way to keep your students inspired and on-track towards the close of the school year is by forming attainable goals for them. Motivation is key, so select targets that are both challenging and achievable. End of the school year challenges like reading a specific number of books before the last week of school, performing a certain amount of ‘kind deeds’, or finishing up classwork that needs completing… and allowing ample time during the school day for those challenges… can be energizing for students of all ages. The key is in setting bite-sized, achievable goals for your girls and boys that focus on school-appropriate goals yet are performed in a cheerful, low-stress environment.

Carve Out Time for Joy

Finishing an academic year on a happy note requires a balance between work and play! Think about field trips (in-person and virtual!), interactive games within the classroom setting, weekly (or more frequently!) guest readers, and so forth. Remember, these activities can offer both fun and educational value, ensuring your students are engaged right up to the school year’s finale.

Promote Classroom Conversations

Involving your class in daily, open discussions and class meetings can serve as a powerful way for everyone (you and your kids) to reflect on the year’s hurdles and achievements, alike! This not only builds trust but also encourages a sense of accomplishment about the school year. Consider creating a class chart that you & your students add to each day from now to the end of the school year, or a class book that you could easily copy for each of your students to keep, that documents special moments and achievements from the year.

When you keep these simple strategies close at hand, you & your students will begin to wind down the school year on a high note, while still accomplishing academic goals and maintaining classroom routines until the end.

At GrapeSEED, we value teachers and students, all year long. We know the importance of balancing joy filled learning with academic goals and incorporating natural conversation into student learning.

If you would like to learn more about GrapeSEED, click here!