During my time as a student I hated this time of year, all I wanted to do was hold onto the good grades and play in the summer sun. (NOTE: My last day of school was always in the MIDDLE of June...so with the school year ending before Memorial Day at Bluffton-Harrison Metropolitan School District I can't see many people wanting to lay out and go to the pool that early with it being so cold still.)
We even talked about how to engage your students towards the end of the school year while in the College of Education at Purdue University. The top three things we came up with then, with the help of USNews, are as follows:
1. Save the fun stuff for spring.
In each class the things that students have talked about loving in the curriculum are finding their place. In English 11 we finish the hard Research Project and read Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. We read it out loud with voices and enjoy discussion rather than tons of quizzes. In English 12 there will be a personal project looking back on the past and making an iMovie! Last but not least we have Speech, they will be doing their last speech on topics that they feel are important, thus creating a confident class.
2. Give students a choice.
I have rules in my classroom, as any teacher, but I do begin to allow students to monitor themselves with independent projects. This gives them the choice to work hard for a few days, then take a break. I really think this tests the maturity of many students and prepares them for the next grade, or for the seniors, it prepares them for life.
3. Enjoy the 'warmer' weather.
I plan to have at least one class outside for each course before the end of the school year. It isn't really that warm out BUT it is no longer deep freeze Indiana winter. This will be a reward for all the hard work as the year ends!
Below I have each calendar for each course. Parents, please look at what is due and what we will be doing! This is great way to keep your child on task at home as well as in the classroom.
