Keeping Students Engaged at the End of the Year

The end of the school year brings all kinds of emotions: exhaustion, sadness, fear, excitement, love, pride, anger, satisfaction… for teachers and students! Here are some strategies I’ve used in my second-grade classroom to make sure the end of the year goes well.

I try not to yield to the temptation to slow down. Days just go better when we are learning. Make a lesson plan, plan for enrichment activities or fun learning games, or even give the students work packets when everyone’s really tired for a bit. But plan for these things so they will be the most appropriate and productive things you can have. Do not be in a position of having to watch a movie.

Check on Students’ Feelings

Be aware: The end of the year brings changes and big emotions. What to look for? Lack of participation in a student who used to be engaged. Students not getting along with classmates (or telling you about someone who is bothering them). Straight-up expressions of sadness or discouragement. Acting out.

All these things can suggest that a student is struggling with either the transition to summer or someone else’s response to the transition. At this time of year, scapegoating or mistreatment by classmates is more common. Talk to students to find out what is wrong and come up with a solution. Even if the solution doesn’t work perfectly, the fact that you care enough to try will often help them feel better. And you are modeling the type of thinking you want them to have as they go up in grades and on to adulthood: proactive problem-solving.

Keep Things Exciting

In this time full of shifting emotions, one of the great tools to keep things moving forward is to give students something fun to look forward to at the end of the day. Not to mention, you will look forward to it, too.

My all-time favorite classroom game is Academic Words Bingo. To play, first make a list of vocabulary words. Any vocabulary will do, but I like to use math vocabulary and science vocabulary in particular. Sites like MyFreeBingoCards.com allow you to design your bingo cards and enter your list of words.

Hold Class Meetings

Sometimes, we need to get together and talk about things—especially as the year winds down. If you have a concern, such as bullying or mean words, hold a class meeting, sitting in a circle on the floor. After you have your say, let the students each have a chance to speak. You will not only clear the air but often bring new solutions.

I use an anchor chart and write down my perception of the problem first. Then I allow the students to speak, moving around the circle, having each student hold the “talking stick” (OK, it’s an Expo marker) when they are going to speak. Students may pass if they like. I add student perceptions of problems to our anchor chart.

Finally, I ask students for suggestions about what we should do about the problem and then make a list of their proposed solutions. When it’s all done, the students vote to select the solution they think is best. It’s almost always the same one I want to do. And if not, I add my own solution, too.

Talk About Summer and the Next Grade

Sometimes, students are worried about the future—either the upcoming summer, which might mean traveling with family or being alone in the house for hours at a time—or the next grade, which will involve even harder work and a new homeroom class and new friends. Sadness about separation from current friends and fear about losing them can create big feelings. Make time to talk about these feelings. A class meeting is one time you can do that.

Another exercise that has proven positive in many classrooms is for students to write a letter to the student who will sit at their desk next year. I have them tell the future student what they will need to know about second grade: the good parts, the hard parts, and what they should not miss out on.

Have Kids Help Plan the End-of-Year Party

Even at their age, yes, they can help plan! You can start or end the day with a discussion about the party. Tell the students how long the party will be and what day it will take place. Tell the students your ideas and then ask if they see any opportunities to improve on your plan.

Have them talk about things like activities, food, schedule, and any concerns about what can go wrong. Use an anchor chart and make lists. At the end, write down the plan. Keep the anchor chart displayed so that any new ideas can be added.

The end of the year can feel like an airplane landing. You know the landing is coming, you know it’s going to be OK, but it can seem to take forever to actually land. Using these strategies, I have not only made the landing smoother for the kids, but also lessened my own uneasy feelings. This helps everyone to have a calmer, happier, and more friendly and loving end of year. I hope these ideas help you with your own class!