The end of the year can be a very busy time for teachers, schools and families. Kids are getting excited about Christmas, there are lots of Christmas parties, and it seems like there is never enough time to get everything done. Teachers have reports to write, classrooms to clean, continue to teach students as well as look after their own family. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the craziness at the end of the year, don’t worry! We have some tips to help you survive the next few weeks at school.
Firstly, a quick and easy to use, FREE resource. Here is a Christmas Math Activity that is both enjoyable and will keep your class busy and interested for a longer period of time! Students simply continue to draw the shapes on each line and then colour in. Some students will spend so much time on the detail, they will be busy for hours! Download your FREE copy here.
After years of having my class go crazy in those last few weeks, I have figured out what TO DO to make the end of the year run smoothly, with less stress for everyone! Teachers have ALOT to do in those last few weeks. You have worked hard all year but setting up solid routines, so there is no reason to change things, just because the end of year is in sight. Be kind to yourself and follow my tips.
Keep teaching, don’t give up at the End of the Year!
I know you are one tired teacher, but I urge you keep teaching, don’t give up! Don’t start showing your kids movies and let them have free time too early. There is too much time left in the year! You have planned all these great lessons and activities, so stick to the plan. The kids will love you for it and be better behaved because they know what is expected of them.
Keep students engaged for as long as possible
This can be difficult, but try to keep students engaged for as long as possible. If they are engaged, they are less likely to misbehave. Try some fun activities like this Christmas Math Revision pack. It is a great way to review concepts while still keeping the kids interested. Want to know more about this pack? Find out more in this blogpost.
Keep your usual classroom routine going
Stick to your regular routine as much as you can. Yes, there will be days when things have to be changed because of Christmas parties or other events, but try not to let that happen too often. If kids know what is coming next in the day, they are more likely to stay on task and behave. If you usually have Literacy Groups everyday, keep having them, just make them Christmas themed!
Don’t overdo the Christmas activities at the End of the Year
Just because it’s Christmas, doesn’t mean you have to do a ton of Christmas crafts and activities. Keep it simple. Do a couple of quick and easy Christmas crafts that won’t take up too much time or make too much mess. The students will still enjoy doing them and you won’t be pulling your hair out! Integrate Christmas into your usual Literacy and Math lessons, just don’t start too early!
I have some great Christmas activities in my Teachers Pay Teachers store! All are fun for students, independent tasks, take time to complete (because we all hate “I’m finished already”) and allow you to get things done!
One of my favourites is this Christmas Pattern and Symmetry pack. Including Christmas themed pictures for students to draw the other half of and colour. Also included are pattern sheets. Download your free sample here.
Teach Starter has some fantastic Christmas activities that are easy to use and SAVE you time! Try this Save Santa’s Workshop – Escape Game , guaranteed to keep your class engaged so you can get on with everything you need to do!
Leave busy work until the last week
If you do have to start giving the kids busy work, because you are just too busy to teach, leave it until the last week. That way they will be used to your normal routine and won’t get too antsy with the change. I, as a rule, don’t show movies to my students at school if I can avoid it. I think it is more important for the students to have free play, play board games, draw, colour or just sit and chat together. They can watch movies at home!
End of the year parties
End of year parties are always lots of fun, but they can also be quite chaotic. To avoid too much chaos, plan your party well. Decide on a couple of simple games or activities that everyone can do. Don’t try to do too much, just keep it simple. And make sure you have enough help! You don’t have to plan anything too elaborate!
Keep calm and carry on!
The end of the year will be over before you know it and things will settle down again. In the meantime, just take a deep breath and try to stay calm. It will all be over before you know it!
Do you have any other tips for surviving the end of year craziness? We’d love to hear them! Share them in the comments below.
Happy teaching! π
Donβt forget to download your free Christmas Patterns Activity
Click here to find out more information about my fun set of Math Revision Worksheets!
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