<p>Hi Parents. I am a middle school teacher (math) and this is my last day of school. I have received several nice e-mails and notes from parents, but of course, the one I can’t get out of my mind is the e-mail from a parent (sent to the team of teachers) expressing dissatisfaction with our activities for the last three days. My question for all of you is this: What types of activities would you like to see in your child’s school (particularly middle school) that last week of school? Keep in mind that I have already given the state assessment and our town assessment and the students know that grades have closed. I would appreciate your comments and suggestions.</p>
<p>As a teacher all I can say is we’re put in a really tough position at the end of the year. As you say, state assessments have been given, books are collected, and frequently grades have already been turned in, yet instruction as usual is expected to continue.</p>
<p>Typically I try to put together some relevant, but low-stress independent activities. I teach A.P. U.S. history so I’ll have my kids create “Survival Guides” for next year’s students. I have also done a “Hall of Fame” where they have to nominate someone for the U.S. History Hall of Fame.</p>
<p>A friend has them create a children’s book on a topic, event, or person they studied during the course of year. I have also done cake contests which are optional. Students have to bake a cake and decorate it in a U.S. History related theme. The staff judges them. Everybody who participates gets extra-credit and the highest rated cakes get a few additional extra-credit points. Everybody has fun with it including the kids who also get to eat cake.</p>
<p>How about suggesting grades NOT be closed until the last day of school?</p>
<p>How about beginning next year’s curriculum? Is summer homework required for the next year? Begin that?</p>
<p>At my daughter’s junior high it was:</p>
<p>Friday: Last day of finals Grades closed
Monday: End of year academic award assembly (2 hours, parents of those receiving awards invited). Short periods that wrap up, collect books, clean out gym lockers etc. </p>
<p>Tues: Eighth grade graduation practice followed by trip to local amusement park. Seventh grade preview of next year’s classes</p>
<p>Wed: Seventh Grade, one hour assembly on becoming eighth graders followed by eighth grade graduation.</p>
<p>The elementary grades were a bit more of a problem, as the teacher’s had the class for full days. They really did come up with time filling projects, and parents had no guilt pulling their kids out that last week.</p>
<p>High schools end with the last final. I guess I would have no problem with school ending when grades are due and books are closed.</p>
<p>Just wrapped up my middle school English classes. For the last three days, I had them organize and appreciate their writing portfolios, go to an awards assembly, have small classroom awards for reading improvement, etc… make each student in the class a “Most Likely To…” card with only complimentary predictions, but yes, on the very last day, they watched part of “Mouse Hunt” as I signed their yearbooks. It was the first and last video shown that year. </p>
<p>Last year, I had them write letters “to the student sitting in my chair next year.” Basically, it’s a time of celebration, reflection, organization and winding down the academic pressure, which in my classroom is pretty high all year long (by design). I’ve never had a complaint because I work the kids so darn hard for the other 180 days of school.</p>
<p>“How about suggesting grades NOT be closed until the last day of school?”</p>
<p>Denise, in my district grades are due by 3 p.m. on the last day of school. But to actually assign and collect work that would count for a grade is a nightmare. First, to keep the attention of 38 6th-8th graders on the last couple days of school is very difficult. The room is literally buzzing with barely contained energy. Second, invariably, there are kids pulled out of class, sick, leaving for various graduations in town and out of town, etc… and there is no time for them to make up the assignments, which pretty much means you have to either excuse them from the task or let it tank their grade or not grade anyone’s at all. High schools and colleges get past this by making final exams a HUGE part of the grade, but it’s not really appropriate or fair to do this to younger children on the last days of school. The vast majority are just not mature enough to handle it.</p>
<p>Ideally, I would like to see fun activities using what is learned during the year. For math, possibly some relevant olympiad type questions. Also some down time and review/supplement for students that need/want those things.</p>
<p>I’m certain this suggestion won’t be greeted with cheers from school administration offices, but I’d suggest some “looking forward” activities. Every year is a big step forward in Middle School (developmentally), and it might be worthwhile to give each class a “heads up” as to what’s coming up during the next year or two. For example it can’t hurt to remind 7th graders that 8th grade is the last chance to “practice” before grades really begin to count. Just a thought.</p>
<p>A map of math through high-school. Other courses dependent on the math to come. What the math is useful for.</p>