Tuesday, June 12, 2012

How do you keep kids engaged at the end of the year?

That's right...the last week of school!  Testing is done...let's face it, instruction is done....what is left to do?
Enrichment day!

Once again my school planned an enrichment day where the staff offered courses and the students signed up for classes they were interested in.  In our K-1 classrooms, the children rotated through classes such as puzzles, play dough, and other developmentally appropriate tasks.  In 2-5 they had broader choices, in categories such as Science and Math, Sports, Art and Games & Activities.  I would love to tell you the whole system, but I didn't create it and wouldn't want to step on any one's toes.

Basically the kids were given a Sign Up sheet with the choices on them.  Then teachers went through and put the top five choices of the students on a spread sheet.  Next, the teachers were given a spread sheet with the class and their assignments for each one.  On the day of the enrichment day, every child wore a sticker telling where they would go for all four sessions.  It was seamless organization put forth by a very detail oriented 5th grade teacher and her collaborative team of teachers (one from each grade level and specialists).

Some choices were:
Fossils
Roller Coasters
Egg Drop
24 Tournament
Firefighting
Legos
Sudoku
Lacrosse
Frisbee Golf
Dance
Origami
Duct Tape Art
Cross stitch
Photography
Bottle Cap Art
Chess
Turtle races
Card Games
Board Games
Double Dutch

It was a great way to end the year...engaged learners!  

1 comment:

  1. It's always great to switch things up at the end of the year when students get extra wiggly. I nominated you for awards. Stop by and see.

    Mercedes
    Surfing to Success

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