End of the Year Classroom Management Tips to Help You Stay Sane
You’ve probably seen the memes on social media comparing what teachers look like at the beginning of the year to the end of the school year. If your year has been anything like mine, these post-pandemic behaviors have had me looking and feeling like an “end of the year” teacher since January. You might be asking yourself…how will I get through the spring fever and end of year behaviors that are coming, or maybe have already have surfaced. Don’t worry! I’ve got you with my 5 end of the year classroom management tips that will keep you thriving instead of surviving these last few weeks.
Classroom management end of the year tips
Tip #1 – Embrace the chaos! I hate nothing more than getting out of our regular classroom routine, but I try to remember when I was a student. These last days of school are the days that I remember most…so I just try and make things as fun as possible, while still maintaining control, for my students and continue to build relationships since it’s our last days together.
Tip #2 – Keep your classroom management system consistent. I stick to my expectations that I set at the beginning of the school year by remaining firm, fair, and consistent with my consequences and rewards. End of the year classroom management doesn’t need to change, and you may feel like you are reteaching and practicing like you would at the beginning of the school year…but don’t give up now! Stay strong to the end to keep the control in your hands. (*If you want to read more about the classroom management system I use, click HERE.)
Tip #3 – Try to keep your daily schedule as normal as possible for as long as possible. I really don’t plan on ditching my schedule until the last week of school. Up until then, I know I will have to be flexible with field trips, assemblies, etc., but I continue teaching content up until the last week of school. It’s your delivery of the content that matters! 😉 (*See tips 4 & 5 for more examples.)
End of year classroom activities
Tip #4 – Make your content & review activities fun! Rather than your usual paper/pencil or computer assignments…switch things up with Jeopardy, hands-on-projects, competitions, games, etc. I know my students will be more engaged which results in fewer end of the year classroom management issues and misbehavior to deal with.
- My favorite end-of-the-year review activity is Knockout from Erin Waters.
- You can review with 4 corners (Have each corner in your classroom be an answer choice A, B, C, D – students move to the corner that represents their answer choice.)
- I like to pair my students up with a poster and markers, give them a concept, and tell them to write or draw everything they know about that concept. Then, they teach the rest of the class.
- Trashketball is a run way to review by letting students shoot a ball into the trash for correct answers.
Tip #5 – Take learning outside, if you can! There are so many ways to learn outside. Independently ready, find inspiration in the surroundings and write, or even play math scoot with sidewalk chalk. Going outside can break up the day as long as you have parameters and expectations for your students.
What are your favorite end of the year classroom management ideas to end the school year strong?
If you want to set up your year strong, make sure to download my FREE classroom management guide, HERE.
