writing workshop

Keep Going ‘Til the End!

Ruth Ayres

This post is as much for me as anyone. I believe in finishing the school year strong. However, this belief tends to conflict with a natural urge to shut down as the end of the year approaches. I’m vigilant in fighting this urge and ask that you will join me. Here are some ways I keep going, even in the last few weeks (or days) of the year:

  • Continue planning and holding full Reading and Writing Workshops. That means a minilesson, a large chunk of work time (complete with conferring), and a share session. I know there are a million other things pulling for your time, but as much as possible, stay true to Workshop.
  • Set goals — Ask students to determine what projects they will finish, how many notebook entries they will complete, or how many pages they will read before the end of the year. Set some robust goals for yourself too: What new text can you put in play which could become a mentor text next year? What personal writing will you submit for the final celebration?
  • Revisit your Beginning of the Year Intentions — August is such a sweet time in the life of a teacher. Everything is fresh and clean and new. What were your hopes for this school year? What can you do to lift the level of these intentions in the remaining days of school?
  • Surround yourself with optimism — Fight lethargy with positive thinking, positive people, and positive words. Find ways to infuse optimism in your day.
  • Read excerpts from your favorite professional texts — I’m still carrying two professional books in my bag this week. I’ll pull them out and reread a few paragraphs. This is one of the best things I can do to stay fueled ’til the end.

How about you? How do you beat slacking at the end of the year?

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Published by Ruth Ayres

Unhurried. Finding the magic in the middle of living. Capturing a life of ridiculous grace + raw stories.

5 thoughts on “Keep Going ‘Til the End!”

  1. I always try a brand new unit either in my writer’s workshop or reader’s workshop. I explain to my kids they are helping me make decisions for my new 5th graders. They have always taken it seriously and then we do our reflecting they talk about why they think it should or should not be included for the new 5th graders.

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  2. I just purchased the book, Big, Bigger, Biggest recommended on this site. I read it twice yesterday. The kids loved the word choices. Later in the day I wrote a small moment story for them. They then made suggestions to enhance vocabulary. The mini-lesson: word choice…we will go strong until the last day. This year has been easier as I just spent a Saturday with Georia Heard. She is so inspirational no matter what time of year.

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  4. I’m with you. I am doing a brand new unit for the end of the year. And I can’t wait to start it! Stay tuned. 🙂

    One tip for teachers: We are required to write professional goals every fall. I write mine in June. In June, I can see so much more clearly what I would have done differently during the year or how I would like to improve as a teacher or what I would like to learn. This way I can start doing the reading to support the goals over the summer.

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  5. I’m still going–Until June 17th. Then summer school. It’s not until mid to late August that I am ready to get back in that reflective, creative space. It’s all about survival and graduation at this point. I’ll go back to this post when I’m ready to start my start-of-school preparations.

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