We have four weeks of school left and things are getting a little rough in my classroom! My energy level is low and my kids seem tired and cranky too. We're out of the most basic supplies like pencils and copy paper. It's been rainy here so we haven't been able to go out to recess very often. All of these things made for a long, tough week last week. So I took some time this weekend to brainstorm some ideas to help me (and my kids) survive these last few weeks! I thought I'd share them here since I have a feeling I'm not the only one having a tough time right now.
1. Review Classroom Procedures
I know I taught procedures at the beginning of the year, I know I did! But lately it feels like my kids don't know what to do when I ask them to line up, turn in their work, come to the carpet, etc. It's definitely time for a refresher. I'm going to take tomorrow and reteach these things. Just as I do in the beginning of the year I'll give very explicit instructions for all of these procedures and have the kids repeat them until they get it right. I try not to stop instruction for this kind of thing but rather weave it into the day so that every time we have to do something I give explicit instructions and the kids practice the procedure until it's perfect. I hope that this refresher will get things running smoothly again.
2. Keep to a Schedule
This has been a real challenge for us in the last few weeks because of testing going on throughout the building. The upper grades have been testing since the beginning of April and this has caused major disruptions to the school wide schedule. We've either missed specials or had them at random times throughout the day, lunch has been super late or super early, and we've had to fit instruction in around all these changes. Testing is just about over (woot-woot!) and I think we can start to re-establish our routine in the classroom. I'm going to do my very best to follow our normal routine this week with as little disruption as possible. My kids (and I) do our best when we know what's coming next. A predictable schedule is key!
3. Keep Consequences and Rewards Consistent
I don't know about you, but when things get stressful in my classroom I sometimes forget that I have a system of rewards and consequences already established. I try to keep things positive so that I'm giving out a lot more rewards than consequences. I have a behavior clip chart in my classroom that I use as my primary system of consequences and rewards. I definitely try to move clips up much more than I move them down. My most challenging darlings almost always finish the day at the top of the chart because that's what they need. But more about that another time. For now, I've got to remember to use the systems that are already in place when things get a little rocky.
4. Use Hands-on Activities
I think my kids have gotten as much as they can out of any type of sit-and-get lesson. The more hands-on activities I can use in instruction, the better off everyone will be. We're learning about graphs right now in math so I thought I'd have the kids create graphs using Lucky Charm marshmallows instead of just having them answer questions about a pre-made graph. I found this free template on teacherspayteachers from Kari Maxey's store and I think it will be perfect. Literally just add Lucky Charms and have the kids discuss the graph after it's been made.
5. Start a Countdown!
I want to keep things light and fun in these last few weeks. One of my thoughts this weekend was to start an engaging countdown. We have 20 days left and I feel like that's a manageable amount of time to have some sort of fun activity each day. I have a Balloon Pop Countdown in my store that I think will be perfect. I grabbed some balloons at Target this weekend and printed out twenty activity cards. I rolled up the cards and put them in a blown up balloon before I tied it. We're going to pop a balloon every day and see what activity comes out! I gotta be honest, I doubt I'm going to have the nerve to pop the balloons myself because that just freaks me out. But I have a special friend in mind who I think will really love having that as his job this week. I think my kids are going to be most excited about the extra recess time I put in Thursday's balloon. They might be pretty psyched about Tuesday also when they get to sit wherever they want. We're probably going to be popping that balloon halfway through the day so I only have to manage that for a few hours!
So those are my five thoughts on how to survive these last few weeks of school. It's going to be hot, it's going to be tough, but we've got this!
