The days are getting warmer, and what’s left of the school year can be counted in weeks. Ask any parent or teacher, and they’ll tell you the last month of the school year is one of the hardest times to get students to focus. Teachers can use the techniques below to help students get motivated, stay motivated, and finish the year strong.
1. Try Project-Based Learning
Project-Based Learning is a great way to give the students a purpose the last month of school. It can also be a great way to apply the standards you’ve been learning this year. Project-Based Learning can be done in math, ELA, or science, and can also include art.
2. Take “brain breaks”
Students are going to need a break more often the last month of school. They’re burnt out and ready to be free to run around outside.
Here are some brain break ideas:
3. Move outdoors
If all else fails, take a walk around outside and just get some fresh air!. We all know this will come up as the weather changes, and getting kids out of the classroom can be an excellent tool for motivation. The trick is to ensure that the outdoor classroom is not an excuse for recess. If you move outdoors for a class or two, use a lesson plan that correlates with the change in environment. Make sure you know exactly where you are going to teach and what your project will be. Come prepared with all of the necessary materials and make sure your students do the same. If you treat the outdoor classroom the same way you would the indoor, it can help motivate your students without leading them to think that school is already out.
Project-Based Learning is a great way to give the students a purpose the last month of school. It can also be a great way to apply the standards you’ve been learning this year. Project-Based Learning can be done in math, ELA, or science, and can also include art.
2. Take “brain breaks”
Students are going to need a break more often the last month of school. They’re burnt out and ready to be free to run around outside.
Here are some brain break ideas:
- Would You Rather?: Would you rather have the ability to fly or to be invisible? Would you rather jump into a pool of chocolate pudding or a pool of chocolate ice cream? The opportunities are endless, and it is so fun watching your students laugh and squirm while they try to decide their responses! To play have your students get out a whiteboard or a piece of paper, and give them a choice of two items. They write down one, then you can poll the students by having all the students with one answer stand up.
- Talk Like a Pirate/Newscaster/Fairy Princess...etc: have students partner up, give them a topic, and they talk like a pirate, newscaster, fairy princess or other character for 30 seconds each. Try to relate the topic to what they’re learning. Talking like a character makes it a lot more fun than a regular discussion!
3. Move outdoors
If all else fails, take a walk around outside and just get some fresh air!. We all know this will come up as the weather changes, and getting kids out of the classroom can be an excellent tool for motivation. The trick is to ensure that the outdoor classroom is not an excuse for recess. If you move outdoors for a class or two, use a lesson plan that correlates with the change in environment. Make sure you know exactly where you are going to teach and what your project will be. Come prepared with all of the necessary materials and make sure your students do the same. If you treat the outdoor classroom the same way you would the indoor, it can help motivate your students without leading them to think that school is already out.
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