Question for other teachers out there!

[kadi]

Hi guys,
It's May & I'm fried.
Wondering what things help you keep going at this time of year.
(26 more work days til summer vacation! But who's counting?!!)
My IC is behaving itself for the most part, but I'm very tired...
(My coworkers look & sound equally ragged, so it's not just me.)
Any suggestions for the end of the year?
Thanks:)

[ICNDonna]

I'm not a teacher, but when I get very tired of a job I am doing, I try to look back --- that way I can say, "WOW! I'm over half done." Just think about it this way --- you've already finished most of the year.

;)
Donna

[SrMaggie]

I can't wait for summer vacation. We are out June 3. It can't come too soon. I'm not a teacher now. I'm actually the principal. I can handle the bathroom breaks with this job. It's the stress that kills me. Deep breathing!!

[Kim J123]

I always try to plan fun activities for my kids at the end of the year, and just take one day at a time :)

[liznazz]

I always plan hands on activities/projects with my classes in June. I know the kids you teach are older, mine are middle school age. Projects that they do in class keep them busy and me less stressed!! liz

[SrMaggie]

For yourself - keep things light. The kids are wired for vacation and they almost can't help themselves to settle down. It takes a bit of humor to weather these last days.
Maggie

[rachelm]

Oh I know what you all mean!! I'm a reading specialist who does pull out and staff development. I both love and hate this time of year. I've organized a campus wide Young Author's contest that all of my elementary kids and teachers have been working hard on. We're giving out the final awards tomorrow. When I was in the classroom I always gave my kids end of year reflection books to write and draw about their favorites from the year... ie favorite books, favorite story read aloud, best friends, movies etc... I also had them pick out their best work and write about what they learned this year.

Unfortunately, I've been busy this week supervising state testing and doing some administrative work... I really miss this time of year in the classroom even though they are wild!

[kadi]

Good thoughts! I teach high school Spanish. Right now, the very beginning level. Each of you gave me some great stuff:)

Donna-what you said makes total sense:) I realized I've taught 10 out of 12 units for this semester and can really see how much they've learned!

Rachel, Liz. Sr Maggie & Kim- thanks for reminding me about projects!- I've got a project in the Computer Center Thurs & Friday this week:) They have to write a very short "book" about themselves & use text & graphics or photos. As teenagers, they especially love the "favorites" parts they get to write about.

I've picked out a few songs to really work on- they always groan & moan when I bust out a new song, but then I hear them humming it or breaking into song in their other classes (their teachers rat them out to me).

Thanks again! (I wish we were out June 3, we're going til June 16 this year! Yikes!)