Towards the end of the school year oftentimes students and teachers alike want to pull out their hair in frustration. On the one hand are the students who have been working hard all year (hopefully) and are ready for the break. They figure they've done their time, what really is accomplished the last couple of weeks anyway? On the other hand are the teachers scrambling to cover all of the curriculum required and mystified as to why some students have just 'quit' before the end. Here's a closer look at each prospective:
The student considers their labors like training for a marathon. You train, work, run, and prepare. Then the day or two before the marathon you take a few lighter workouts to relax your body a little bit so it will be prepared for the big race.
The teacher looks at it like you're already in the marathon. Why stop running the last mile of the race? Why not just finish it with all of gusto you can manage?
Who's perspective is right? Is there a balance between the two? While I get frustrated with the lack of effort of my students in these last few weeks, I also recognize that they are just as ready for summer as I am.
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While this time of year often finds me weary, I try hard to not count days until the end of the year. This helps me focus on staying in more of a regular routine which helps the students stay engaged and focused, while knowing that the expectations are constant.
ReplyDeleteI also learned that this is really our time, as teachers, to RAMP the learning up. This helps hold off some possiblities of learning that may be "lost" over the summer and continue to enrich learning to set up background experiences for the following academic year.
Stacy Hall
I have often wondered how much of the staff being ready for the school year to be over is being felt by the students. Even though we wish that they would give it all they've got, how much of their "ready to be done" attitude is simply a reflection of ours?
ReplyDeleteI honestly believe that teachers are the human barometer in their classrooms. I continue to keep my expectations the same, no matter how much one student or more may test on a daily basis.Consistency is key to both the student's learning and the teacher being able to present the information in a variety ways. Also, I really feel that a teacher's attitude is critical to having a pleasant last few weeks or months of school. I find that if I stay respectful, consistent with my expectations, and engaged in teaching, they tend to be better learners and respectful as well. We, as educators, have a responsibility to our students to provide an opportunity of learning until the last second.
ReplyDeleteCarolyn
Carolyn
Thank you so much for the comments. It is really important of course to remember that we are indeed, the teachers. Too often we start acting like the students wanting the snow days, counting down the days until breaks. As Carolyn said, we set the environment in our classrooms, so we need to make sure we are emphasizing the importance of working until the very end.
ReplyDeleteYou have to be realistic. The ended of the school year is hard on everyone and like I always tell my students, I'm human too. I think you can do both through playing fun games that still relates to what you have taught or still trying to teach. I play a game called 'Music Jeopardy' where the kids are in two teams and they play against each other. The questions are taken from lessons and tests that I have given over each quarter and they love it. I have two bells on a music stand and the first one to ring his/her bell gets to answer the question first.(What is .. just like real Jeopardy). We have to lighten up and learn to let go a little bit.
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