Packing in the School Year

Posted by Kellie Hayden Jun 5, 2008

School is out for summer! This song is a favorite of mine; they always play it as the students exit the building on the last day of school. It is tradition that the teachers go outside and wave to the busses, a few do cartwheels.

But before the teachers can leave, there is a mountan of things to do. Let's face it. Teachers are tired at the end of the school year. So, think smart.

• Allow students to help you take down bulletin boards, organize closets and run errands. They love to do it. I used to think middle and high school students wouldn't want to help. Boy was I wrong! They love to help and little treats make them smile when they are done. A can of soda will motivate any middle school student to help after they have completed the class assignement.
• Copy the syllabus in the last days of school before summer break. It is one less thing you will have to do in August.
• Organzie files, which means throw out what you won't use the next year. Purge the items you haven't used in a couple of years. Next school year you will be able to find things much easier. My file cabinet was so stuffed I couldn't get anything in or out until I drug the large trashcan over and threw away things I hadn't used in years.
• Put desk items in one box and put it on top of the pile. You can start with it before school starts again in August.
• Organize gradebook for next year. Some schools have class lists at the end of the school year.

These are just a few tips to end the school year on a great note. And, you can start the following year with less stress.