As I write this post, it’s very bittersweet. The ending of the year is so exciting because students have accomplished so much and I can reflect on my teaching over the year and already plan what I want to change for next year.
Many students are overwhelmed with the idea that their consistent, structured plans are coming to an end and are getting nervous and scared and worried.
I teach students in Kindergarten through fifth grade and right now my fifth graders are getting very nervous because they’re leaving me next year. The idea of what’s going to happen and who’s going to be in my class and what is my teacher like and I’m losing my friends I’ve been with all year, is very overwhelming, especially for students who have intellectual disabilities. I’ve already had a meet and greet with the receiving teacher for next year as well as the students that my student will be with for next year. The child has visited and was excited after the visit.
I am very, very busy as the end of the year creeps up. Not enough days to get everything done that I need to get done are my constant thoughts.
I recently had a stomach bug and just got hurt at work as well, so those are all putting some dampers on my end-of-the-year plans.
Last-minute testing, last minute IEP‘s, award shows, parent concerns, birthday parties, end of the year celebrations, cleaning out the classroom, and packing things away are just a few of the things that are on my to-do list.
I want my student’s parents to reach out to me prior to the end of the school year with any concerns or questions they have for the upcoming summer vacation. I want to be there for them and help them as much as I can have a successful summer with their child. Parents are the experts when it comes to their children and I just want to enhance whatever I can in their already very positive lives.
Some of my suggestions are going to be:
1. Have a consistent schedule as much as you possibly can. Let them sleep in for a week if you would like, but then start waking them up at the same time every day.
2. When you put them to bed at night have a routine. Maybe they need to take a bath and then they go in their rooms and they play for 20 minutes and then you read with them for 20 minutes. Whatever plan you create have it last the entire summer so then you can continue it when school begins again.
3. If you haven’t already done, so please, please, please create some independence within your child. Every single child no matter how old they are can learn to do things independently on their own. Have them try and then if they need help, teach them to ask for help and then teach them how to accomplish the task they’re trying to do. If you do for them all the time they never have to do for themselves. That being said it is more time-consuming, and you need to make sure that you are consistently following through. It’s very easy to give in and do for them when you’re running late or you’re frustrated. Take a breath, step away for a moment, and then come back to the task.
4. Time management is huge. As an adult, you need to plan how long is it going to take my child to get ready? How long is it going to take me to get ready? How long is it going to take to get to the destination? Could there be traffic along the way? It is always better to be early than running late.
I hope these tips help you begin to plan for a very positive and productive summer.