May 30, 2008

End of the School Year Lessons

Reading forums and discussions about whether to emphasize learning or fun at the end of the school year prompted me to write this post about when is end of the school year fun, really fun?

But to keep learning more on the light side, try experimenting with other ideas like themed lessons, which I like using a lot. The key though when using these end of the school year activities and fun games is to involve as many students as possible.

Even the most seasoned teacher knows that when grades are in, students are not the slightest bit motivated to study and yet, there is still a need to keep students in class and motivate them. I like the ideas on the Education World website. They are fun because they offer a different challenge to students and they can be easily adapted to other students' levels especially for those hot days when you perhaps have only a handful of students or a small group.

If your students for example are interested in traveling to other countries or are from another country, why not capitalize on diversity and teach them games used in other countries? Or how about a lesson on planning a trip ? Offer a competition (with prizes of course) to the best group who prepares the best trip under $1500 for x number of days for example? They can plan the trip using the Internet and show the class the daily and nightly intinerary. You might have brochures and they can prepare a poster using some of the information and pictures. The class can then vote on the best trip and voila, every body participates and contributes.

Good luck! Read End of the School Year Games for more ideas on winding down the school year.