It is that time of year, spring fever, "senioritis", restless anarchy. Students seem to converge at the spot of low pressure where nothing matters anymore. Where balloons are deflated and slowly falling to the floor. Summer is near and their minds and spirits are already there. Now you see it, a brief moment of engagement, they are talking and collaborating. They are focused on the task at hand but rather then immerse themselves in it, look for deeper meaning, they skim the surface only gaining knowledge that is in the shallow end, waders on, where their toes can touch the bottom. No swimming necessary. It feels very much like compliance. The eagerness and curiosity quickly dissipating as the conversations transform from academic to personal.
Now you don't. You look out they are completing the activity but the conviction has gone. The deep end is glistening in the sunlight- it is offering a reprise from the mundane but they neglect to see it. They are focused on the easy, the simplest route. This is the time of the year where worksheets and cookie cutter activities are dragged out because as with students, teachers are, as I hear in the hall frequently "done" for the year. But I am not, the end of the year takes more patience and more enthusiasm because the air has leaked out of the balloons. Those colorful, attractive, mini-dirigibles that attract the students interest and animate the possibilities. The shiny, floating inducements that let students know something cool is around the corner. But, it is time to re-inflate them, choose more dynamic and creative shapes and sizes. To let students know that school is not over yet. That learning still takes precedence. Now you see it, now you don't should only be temporary as we brighten up our lessons and allow students to hold the string that binds the blimps of learning together.
How can we combat the doldrums? The mundane classroom atmosphere that often emerges this time of year. Go outside, have a scavenger hunt, a walk-about, a moment to see the sunshine and breathe the fresh air. Set up stations so students can be mobile and independent while reviewing for the standardized tests that are nearly upon them. Use a makerspace, play-doh, games, skits, debates, edcamps anything that will allow students to choose and tinker and play even a little bit. There is so much pressure put on students this time of year with the onslaught of testing. Their balloons are full to capacity and bulging, ready to burst. Let them relieve stress, let some of the gas out, not with busy work but with authentic, active, interactive, collaborative, exciting, entertaining and self-driven lessons. Let them design and create, draw, sing if they want to, just let them get innovative. Let them own the rest of the year.
I hear teachers saying "I can't wait for this year to end." Students hear this and feel this attitude too. I get sad this time of the year because I have to say goodbye to my classes that I have come to know so well and love. This is the time of the year where both students and teachers feel the doldrums. We as adults are the ones who can stave them off. By setting up a more purposeful student-centered classroom. Behavior only gets bad this time of the year when students feel that teachers are "done" for the year. We have to show them we are not. That we will miss them next year. That we are thankful we had the opportunity to be their teacher. Say thank you. Smile. Let the small things go. Some educators say "Choose your battles" I say "Choose not to see the war at all" seek the calm, balanced, fruitful relationships that have blessed us this year. Continue to have fun, allow students to take charge of their own learning. Let the balloons gather and brighten, life, and unify the class into one large bundle of joy.
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