End of Year Classroom Management Tips

The end is near and students can feel it. I don't know about you but I always notice a shift in behaviour around May and June when the weather is nicer. Here are some tips I use in my classroom to keep students engaged until the end of the year!

1. Keep consistent. Students thrive off of routines and letting things "slide" because it is the easier way out can make it harder to bring them back in.

2. Do an audit of your teaching. Which lessons are students most engaged? Which ones are they disengaged? Use this information to help you plan your lessons.

3. Reframe the struggles into strategies. Use the things you are currently finding difficult to benefit your classroom management. Really talkative class? Make tasks collaborative and let them talk. Won't stop playing with Pokemon cards while you teach? Encourage them to bring them in and use them for learning. Students not staying in their seats? Plan lessons with movement. Often behaviours give us clues into what students need.

4. Co-create lessons with them! They have been students all year - give them ownership and opportunity to lead lessons. I always love doing the "teacher for the day" project where they research a topic of interest and teach the class. A great way to get some last minute oral, media and writing marks if needed.

5. Head outside. The weather is warmer and I know that when I was a student the best part about spring/early summer was opportunities to take learning outside more often.

6. Co-plan activities. Pair up with other classes and co-create activities together. Two is better than one!! Planning activities with your grade team gives students opportunities to build relationships with new people (and ones who might be in their class next year) and planning activities with an older/younger grade provides opportunities for mentorship/leadership within students.

7. The 3 F's - firm, fair and fun. A fine balance of all three of these things is how I run my classroom and I try to maintain that balance all the way through the end of the year.

8. Involve families! Is there a way you can engage families in the learning? Invite parents in for an event? Mystery readers? Celebration of learning?

9. Celebrate. Celebrate. Celebrate. Hype your students up! Positive reinforcement is key. I always try to end every Friday giving each student a compliment (I call it the weekly shout outs). These are sometimes related to academic, social or just a compliment on something I saw them do this week.

10. Have some fun with them! Use the last few weeks to celebrate what they have accomplished, make memories and enjoy your class family.

11. Lastly, you are doing the best you can with what you've got. Every class is different and has its own unique set of challenges. Sometimes we just need to do what we need to do! If you are simply in survival mode - I hear you. I've been there. The end is near.

We are almost there! Good luck!

What is your go-to end of year classroom management tip?