Powerful Ways to End the School Year

By the middle of May, state testing is either completed or almost reaching its conclusion; graduations have begun or are being anticipated; promotional exercises are taking place or are soon to come. But, what about those students who fit into neither of those categories? Haven’t they worked hard? Don’t they deserve something? The answer is yes.

By this time of the year, teachers are ensuring that all grades are in the system, made up work is completed, books are checked in, room work reports are completed, room decorations are either covered or removed, trash is discarded, papers are filed, and students are quiet. But, is this all that the end of the school year can offer? Elementary school students often look forward to May Day, a time filled with food, fun, and games. High school students have had their proms. The middle school students look forward to Awards Day. Since each event is only one day, what do you do with the other at least thirteen?

How about allowing students to end the year in the same way they began. Let them learn. We always complain about not having enough time for the fun activities, so let’s have two weeks of project-based learning. Dust off lab materials; allow creative writing that culminate in skits and plays connected to some big ideas taught during the year. Let your students put a modern-day twist on it. Allow your students to bury time capsules for the next year students to read. Allow students to talk about what they loved or feel needs changing. Present grade level thematic units that are reflective of the big ideas you want your students to take with them.

Another activity is curriculum mapping. Allow students to trace their academic progress from the beginning of the year to the end using graphics or timelines that include pictures. This activity gives your current students a chance to feel good about what they’ve learned and provides incoming students an opportunity to see real evidence that they can be successful learners in the coming school year. And it gives teachers a chance to enjoy seeing students share what they’ve learned and to internalize their successful teaching according to an article written by Donna Wilson and Marcus Conyers.

Either strategy can be powerful if applied properly. It’s more stressful when students are idle and meaningless movies are not an option. Allowing students to bring deeper meaning to their education means sometimes letting go of the ropes and trusting them. When they are fully invested, they your payoffs will be priceless.