If you are someone who thinks kids should just suck it up and do school because it’s just part of the process, you won’t want to read this post. I believe every kid deserves to have meaningful school experiences. I think that it is entirely possible that we have no clue what these kids are going to need to know in ten years and it is extremely arrogant to think we do. I know some of these ideas are tough to swallow. They aren’t for everyone. This post is for teachers who believe their job is to make learning interesting or to develop relationships with kids and may be tired of trying to be interesting as we head into the end of the year. It is extremely important to be efficient by not reinventing the wheel and at the same time, it is important to be constantly revising. We are tired at the end of the year, yet this is also the time of year that we need to do even more to keep kids motivated, focused, and engaged. We need to empathize with students at this time of year (and other low times of the year). It is easy because we are all feeling tired right now. I am not suggesting that we go crazy revamping our curricula when we are tired at the end of the year for the sake of the kids, but here are four fairly simple ways that, although not new, we should remember when we feel like things need a little livening up and we are too tired to think of something brand new.

Games

Many times, I hear teachers say that there are just some things that are boring and have to be learned. Well, I always wonder if those skills or information are truly necessary but that is another conversation. If we feel it is necessary and boring, maybe there is a way to make it more palatable by creating a game. Using common items like a deck of cards, a set of dice, or some index cards can help create a simple game. Matching, sorting, and competition are simple ways to dress an activity up. If you have more time, making a longer, more comprehensive game can be fun; obviously more time consuming. I’m in the midst of developing a complicated financial literacy game that will last an entire year and span ten years in pretend life time.

Scavenger Hunt

A scavenger hunt can make a tedious task more game like. This is an easy strategy for research of any kind. In addition, if students are actually physically gathering things, it can get them up and moving around. Even if students can’t be wandering around the building, setting up a scavenger hunt right in the classroom is very doable. The math teacher across the hall from me frequently sets up a math scavenger hunt/ game where students solve one problem at a location and then find that answer somewhere else in the room (or hallway right outside her classroom) where the next problem is located.

Could it be more social?

Is there a way an independent task could be more social? Is there a way partners or small groups could work on this skill together?  Sometimes creating a social outlet can have the same effect as recess. Even a simple sharing of ideas with a partner can break up a lecture. If you dread group work, this may not be a viable option but you can read more about teaching these skills here.

Project-Based Learning

Project-based learning is not poster making but rather authentic tasks that engage kids in solving real problems, answering real questions, and presenting their ideas to real audiences. It does require some risk-taking on the teacher’s end but if you are open to seeing where things might go, it can be a good option for the end of the year. The dynamics of groups is clear by the end of the year. Many times, the expectations have become routine. While project-based learning requires a lot of learner self-direction, the end of the year can be a time when students have developed these skills. PBLWorks is a great resource for learning about project-based learning and there are some useful videos on the site as well.

What other ways are people using to liven things up when the usual lessons start to get tired? @fearlessteachrs #thistimeofyear