Ending
the School Year Smoothly
by Theresa London Cooper
Ending
the school year well is just as important as beginning it well.
Here are a few tips I practiced faithfully when I was in the classroom.
- Make sure
you have all the necessary documentation gathered for your students
who will be repeating the grade. Parents who may not have displayed
much interest in their child’s progress during the year
may show fierce resistance and interest when they realize their
child is not being promoted. Should this happen to you, be prepared,
remain calm, and make sure you have the proper documentation to
substantiate your decision.
- Plan interesting
lessons and trips to keep the students engaged for the remainder
of the year. The weather and rigor of the school year work against
us as we head towards May and June. After the testing was over,
I planned trips that reinforced concepts we learned during the
year. I took my students to the Museum of Natural History, Green
Meadows Farm, The Hall of Science and many other exciting places.
- Many principals
distribute an end-of year calendar that will outline all of the
important duties that must be completed. Review the calendar daily
and plan ahead so that when something is due you are not scrambling
to get it done.
- Begin working
on your report cards as soon as possible by thinking of two or
three comments you can make to summarize your students’
yearlong progress. (See Report Card Comments.)
- Make sure
you have all of your ATS records to record accurate and/or projected
attendance.
- Prepare
yourself for the upcoming clerical-days. Find out what will take
place and gather the materials you will need to complete the work
designated for those days.
- If you are
a new teacher, make sure to have conversations with some of the
veteran teachers to help you meet the demands of ending the school
year effectively and efficiently.
How
do you end your school year?
E-mail
Theresa.
See
also:
End Of Year Rituals For
Teachers and Students by Judi Fenton
|
