Hello Friends!
Are you wondering how to keep your primary students engaged during the last days of your school year? Do you want to make some lasting memories with your class? Then plan to provide a daily "pick"-nic of learning privileges for them to choose from! Offering a choice of tasks they must or may do will keep them on target and on task!
When I taught in the regular education classroom, the final weeks of school were always a time when it was hard to keep my students focused. Now, with COVID-19 distance learning in place and all learning and interaction taking place via a screen, it is even more difficult to keep them interested and engaged!
I suggest brainstorming a list of learning privileges and extra activities with your class that they want to enjoy. Then, write their choices on "Pick A Privilege" cards and pull one out each morning or afternoon as you start your Zoom or Google Meets session to liven things up and provide your group with an incentive for staying focused and considerate.
PICK A PRIVILEGE
Let's face it, my friends. This time of year is when students check-out, give less-than-stellar effort, and test school rules. There is no shame in pulling out your bag (or picnic basket) of tricks and teasers to coax, cajole, and keep them cooperative and collaborative!
HOST A LEARNING PICNIC
Now you are probably thinking......"Yikes! I don't have any extra minutes or the money at this time of year to pull together a daily countdown of activities!" Never fear! I've put together a picture list of ideas that are either free or cost very little, and includes supplies that you probably have stored in your home/classroom cupboards OR that your students have at home!
BUBBLE FUN!
Suggest that students blow bubbles outside or break out the hula hoops and jump ropes for some good, old-fashioned fun!
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CUP BUILDING!
Issue a Dixie Cup Building Challenge
and encourage students to create an imaginative
structure with their family members!
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structure with their family members!
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MATH SNACKS!
Suggest that students use their favorite snack or cereal to graph in different ways, create categories, or build arrays as a fun way to practice Math skills!
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ENJOY A DANCE BREAK!
Give their brains and bodies a break by hosting a
GO NOODLE dance party! Get up from your
teacher chair, cue up their favorite song or movement
activity and bust a move together!
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teacher chair, cue up their favorite song or movement
activity and bust a move together!
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TAKE A READING ADVENTURE!
Read an extra chapter of your current read aloud book!
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SHAVING CREAM SPELLING!
Host a Shaving Cream Spelling Party to practice
word work and rhyming! Enlist the help of parents
to provide home supplies of shaving cream, a cookie sheet, and plenty of paper towels....and a plastic table cloth!
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to provide home supplies of shaving cream, a cookie sheet, and plenty of paper towels....and a plastic table cloth!
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GET CREATIVE!
Have students grab a pencil and paperto draw along with Steve Harpster over at HARPTOONS! They will love transforming numbers and letters into a
variety of creatures!
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GRAB MY FREEBIE!
I've included the templates I used to make my idea and countdown cards, along with the bulletin board accents featured in the photo above! Click {HERE} to grab your set and you'll be ready to print, laminate, and pack a plentiful "pick-nic" basket of learning activities for your own students! Enjoy!
As always, thanks for sharing my story! Continue to hold a song in your heart and teach your children well! Be sure to visit me at Stories and Songs in Second for more ideas and resources to help you work "smarter not harder" in your teaching life! Be sure to sign-up for my newsletter while you are there to receive weekly e-mails!
PIN FOR LATER
Check out some other end-of-the-year ideas I've collected on Pinterest as well!
Warm Regards,
~Jennifer
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