For me, this time of year is always bittersweet. There is a sense of excitement in the classroom as students anxiously countdown the days until summer break mixed with knowing we will have to say our goodbyes. The end of this school year looks different from any other year I have taught before, but some things are still the same. Students, parents, and maybe teachers too, are getting restless and a little burnt out. Distance learning has been challenging for everyone. As we come upon the last two weeks of our school year, I want to make learning exciting and engaging for everyone. These are some of my ideas.
Flipgrid
Flipgrid is a website that lets students record videos of themselves in response to a question that you have posted. You can set the time limit for student videos which is an awesome feature. I like to keep student videos around 45 seconds or less depending on the questions. Having a shorter time limit helps with students' anxiety of recording a video of themselves. Some great end of the year questions you could ask could be:
- What is your favorite book you have read this school year? Why?
- What is your favorite memory from this year? Why?
- Tell us three things you learned this week?
- What does your "homeschool" space look like?
- What are you going to miss the most about our class?
There is also a feature on Flipgrid that lets students respond to each other. You could use this for a Socratic Seminar, or to increase student dialogue. There are also tons of topic ideas already created in the Disco Library. For example, Epic! has created topics that are connected to books in their digital library. So you can assign the books in Epic! and then have students respond to the topic question on Flipgrid.
Padlet
This is a great time to have students share what they have learned this year. Let them be the teacher. Create a Padlet for students to work on collaboratively or better yet, have students create their own Padlets. Originally, students in my classroom were supposed to share their independent study projects at our annual Gate Gala. Due to school closure that didn't happen. Students have been researching different countries for the past few months. Since we couldn't hold our event at school, we decided to have a digital one using Padlet and Zoom. Once students finish their Padlet then they are going to present with our class via Zoom.
For me, this time of year is always bittersweet. There is a sense of excitement in the classroom as students anxiously countdown the days until summer break mixed with knowing we will have to say our goodbyes. The end of this school year looks different from any other year I have taught before, but some things are still the same. Students, parents, and maybe teachers too, are getting restless and a little burnt out. Distance learning has been challenging for everyone. As we come upon the last two weeks of our school year, I want to make learning exciting and engaging for everyone. These are some of my ideas.
There is also a feature on Flipgrid that lets students respond to each other. You could use this for a Socratic Seminar, or to increase student dialogue. There are also tons of topic ideas already created in the Disco Library. For example, Epic! has created topics that are connected to books in their digital library. So you can assign the books in Epic! and then have students respond to the topic question on Flipgrid.
Flipgrid
Flipgrid is a website that lets students record videos of themselves in response to a question that you have posted. You can set the time limit for student videos which is an awesome feature. I like to keep student videos around 45 seconds or less depending on the questions. Having a shorter time limit helps with students' anxiety of recording a video of themselves. Some great end of the year questions you could ask could be:- What is your favorite book you have read this school year? Why?
- What is your favorite memory from this year? Why?
- Tell us three things you learned this week?
- What does your "homeschool" space look like?
- What are you going to miss the most about our class?
There is also a feature on Flipgrid that lets students respond to each other. You could use this for a Socratic Seminar, or to increase student dialogue. There are also tons of topic ideas already created in the Disco Library. For example, Epic! has created topics that are connected to books in their digital library. So you can assign the books in Epic! and then have students respond to the topic question on Flipgrid.Padlet
This is a great time to have students share what they have learned this year. Let them be the teacher. Create a Padlet for students to work on collaboratively or better yet, have students create their own Padlets. Originally, students in my classroom were supposed to share their independent study projects at our annual Gate Gala. Due to school closure that didn't happen. Students have been researching different countries for the past few months. Since we couldn't hold our event at school, we decided to have a digital one using Padlet and Zoom. Once students finish their Padlet then they are going to present with our class via Zoom.
Google Slides
I love using google slides! This has to be my go-to resource all school year long. You can create student awards and have students vote on them using Google Forms. You could even have students create their own awards for others using Slides. Another idea is to create a digital memory book for students to complete. There are lots of resources out there already if you don't have time to make them yourself.
Host an end of the Year party on Zoom
I love the idea of spending the last day with my students on Zoom. We are currently voting on a theme for our party. I will have a few games for students to play (they love Kahoot) and also a time for sharing the end-of-the-year awards.
I hope the next few days are filled with fun and excitement for you and your students.
Hello Alina. Your students sure are fortunate to have you. I've heard Kahoot mentioned on at least a couple of occasions. I think I will look it up for myself. =^..^= (By the way, I hope your dad, sister, little nephew, and all the rest of your family are doing well.)
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