End of Year Culminating Assignments

With SOL, PALS and other tests wrapping up, this often becomes my favorite time of year as I see students imagining, creating, collaborating and exploring in their classes while also reflecting on their growth, learning and relationships.   

 

Some of the great things I’ve seen in the past: 

  • Create a class book. Each student/pair of students creates a chapter reviewing material from the year. 
  • Students create skits, chapter/unit reviews, commercials, movie trailers, news clips. These could be subject matter related or they could be personal reflections (What I learned about myself this year? I’m proud of…Next year, I hope to) 
  • Make use of Zoom to host an expert, go on a virtual field trip, collaborate with another class in virtual school or anywhere in the world.
  • Give the students a FedEx Day (or several shorter FedEx periods). Essentially, a FedEx Day is where you allow the students to take an idea of their own and run with it. For more http://goo.gl/zWUCq
  • And a couple of more academic and upper level ideas: 
    • Cumulative assignments. As a history teacher, I tried to take a thematic approach to my teaching (some themes: role of geography, power, economic haves-have nots, etc.), so at the end of each year, students were assigned a theme and created a project highlighting examples of the theme from throughout the year
    • Socratic seminars, talk shows or other discussions. Have students research a topic (individually or in groups), research it and then let them have at it. Furthermore you can assign students a side or perspective to research. If you’re hosting a talk show the producer and show host must become experts on both sides
What are some of your great ideas?

 

The end of the year is a great time for us to stretch our students’ academically and creatively and for them to apply their learning (both social-emotional and academic). I often find creative year end performance tasks inspiring for both students and educators.  

All Information  

Still waiting for details about staff resource/technology collection. 

Students should return devices to their base schools from Monday, June 13-Wednesday, June 15. 

 

Elementary Information

Elementary (3-5) SOL Retake Spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10vmlhzOvKRCFOkI-cOnerwggXHjl4G05pja0QP2eA9Y/edit#gid=0 

  • Reach out to students/families about expedited opportunity 
  • Add name and information to the list 

 June 8: Class Recognition Day Wednesday_Stepping_Up

 

Secondary Information 

Slidedeck from Thursday Staff Meeting 

 

Office Hours Spreadsheet has been updated so attendance can be taken this week. Reminders have been sent to students. 

 

Middle School SOL Retake Spreadsheet: 

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Yx8DRPAgoFdj-ruIn3zqASTVP_q73TBwwYSwWBStFHo/edit#gid=1746401046 

  • Reach out to students/families about expedited opportunity 
  • Add name and information to the list

 

Course/SOL Failure

High School Students who May Fail a Course/SOL 

https://forms.gle/HwauQvFVKVgUdHPu7 

Middle School, if a student is potentially going to fail a middle school class that is for high school credit, contact family and school counselor. 

 

Elementary Announcements 

Monday: https://youtu.be/1d9lglrWUfg 

Tuesday: https://youtu.be/9DzK6EwXW30 

Wednesday: https://youtu.be/wMiSDiYK6GQ 

Thursday: https://youtu.be/ChPNZ1_U1_k 

Friday: https://youtu.be/SztlR7SQDII 

 

Secondary Announcements 

Monday: https://youtu.be/kK74sgP5x8s 

Tuesday: https://youtu.be/L_iCyC7DZM8 

Wednesday: https://youtu.be/XLtK2OzEfyA 

Thursday: https://youtu.be/m0jVki4H3y0 

Friday: https://youtu.be/REL5Lkwch3s 

 

Mindful Messages 

 

Message

Affirmations/Prompts 

Monday

Can’t stop, won’t stop. 

I will accomplish everything that needs to be done. 

Sometimes the end of the year is hard, why? 

How can you overcome this funk? 

Tuesday

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. ~Anne Frank

 

I have the power to create change. 

What’s a small change you can make that would make the world better? 

How would you like to make the world better? 

Wednesday

Just do your best; that will be enough.

I am resilient. 

Why is it sometimes hard to accept your best? 

When do you find yourself doubting your best? 

Thursday

Don’t be so hard on yourself. Dealing with life, everyday stuff, and emotions can be tough.

I am a brave soul on a mission. I got this. 

Friday 

There is only one me in this world and that makes me as special as anyone. 

What makes you special? 

I am…

How would your friends, family, teachers describe you? 

 

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