Sing Sing Sing! Yes, this may seem obvious, but keep the kids singing and making music together. Pull out the favorites of this year or your personal favorites to sing with the students! Something with lots of repetition is good so that they can learn it quickly and then be making music. If they are singing, they can't be talking at the same time!
Play Play Play! Again, maybe another obvious idea but keep the students engaged by playing games and playing instruments! Personally, I know it is hard to keep the pedal down during the last few weeks of school because we, as teachers, are just tired, but letting up only lets the opportunity for trouble to begin! Is there a game or piece that you have not had the chance to get to this year? Now is the time to pull it out and let the students PLAY!
Move Move Move! Going right along with singing and playing, have the students dance, choreograph or free move in every lesson. First, the love to do it! Second, it burns off some energy! Third, it is just FUN! Keeping everyone busy (the teacher included) helps to make the class time go more quickly, so dig out your Rhythmically Moving (Weikart) or New England Dancing Masters (Amidon) books and get moving!
Do purposeful worksheets or assessments! Don't just give the kiddos worksheets to keep them busy - make sure they have a purpose and that the students know that! I find that my kiddos really enjoy the interactive ones like my "Write the Room" Series and Aileen Miracle's "Popsicle Stick Rhythms". You can also be taking end of year assessments through the singing games the students are now comfortable with and love to play!
Try Something New! We all go to workshops and conference and learn so many new things! Take these last few weeks of school to try something new! The kids will LOVE embarking into a song, game or activity that is new to them! This keeps them on task but also allows you to dabble in something out of your comfort zone!
Set the Stage for Next Year! I know - who wants to think about starting school back up again in August now, but think of what concepts and skills you will be working on in the next grade level, is there a song or game that you could introduce at the end of this year that could then be built upon come August? I have done this for the past couple of years with my K's and 1's and find it to be a very purposeful use of my time as well as making the start of the school year a bit less taxing on my voice!
Game Choice Day! This is quite possible the very best (and easiest) lesson plan that I ever have to write! Let the students decide what songs and games are played that day! I have my classes make a list of their favorites (anything we did in that school year) and then we vote (I let them vote for their top 2 choices). We then start with what received the most votes and play through as many as we can until class is over! The kids LOVE it and I learn what was the big hit from the previous year - sometimes I am really surprised!
Remain Calm! Boy - it is easy to get overwhelmed with end of year stuff - grading to do, classrooms to clean up, programs to finish - the list goes on and on. Don't let yourself get bogged down in all of that and bring a level of anxiety and frustration to your classroom. The kids pick up on this so quickly and unfortunately, they don't help us out by doing their best but see it as an opportunity to run wild and free! Take a deep breath and enjoy each day for what it brings!
Thanks to Graphics From the Pond for the number clip art!