Spring is finally here! The days are getting longer, and we’re in the home stretch of the school year. I'm back to school tomorrow after a 2-week Spring Break. This is the perfect time to refresh your classroom and shake up your teaching routine to keep things feeling fresh for both you and your students. A little bit of spring cleaning can go a long way in making the last few months of the year smoother, more organized, and more enjoyable. Here’s how you can declutter, refresh, and reset to finish strong.
1. Declutter and Organize Your Classroom
A clean, organized space makes a big difference—for you and your students! Here’s where to start:
Clear out the clutter. Go through those piles of papers, broken supplies, and unused materials. If you haven’t used something all year, chances are you won’t need it next year either—toss it, recycle it, or donate it.
Reorganize your materials. Group things together in a way that makes sense for how you use them. Label bins and drawers so you and your students can find (and put away) supplies easily.
Enlist student help. Give students some ownership of their space by having them help tidy bookshelves, wipe down desks, or sort supplies. You’d be surprised how willing they are to pitch in!
Spruce up your space. Switch out old bulletin board displays, add some fresh student work to the walls, or even just rearrange the desks for a little change of scenery.
2. Refresh Your Lesson Plans
By this point in the year, both you and your students might be feeling a little worn out. Changing things up can bring back some excitement and engagement:
Try something new. Swap out a routine worksheet for a hands-on project, an outdoor lesson, or an interactive activity.
Incorporate technology. If you’ve been curious about trying a new digital tool or app, now’s a great time to experiment. Digital escape rooms, interactive quizzes, and collaborative projects can bring fresh energy to your lessons.
Make connections to spring. Whether it’s growing plants in science, writing poetry in language arts, or collecting real-world data in math, tapping into the season makes learning feel more relevant.
Give students a voice. Let them have some say in what they’re learning—whether it’s choosing their own research topics, designing a final project, or voting on a class activity. Show Me Your Math is an excellent option for students to connect math to their real world interests.
3. Reset Expectations and Routines
After spring break, it’s common for students to start losing focus. A quick reset can help refocus them and set the tone for a strong finish.
Review class expectations. Take a few minutes to remind students of classroom norms and routines. You don’t need to start from scratch—just reinforce what’s already in place.
Set some end-of-year goals. Have students reflect on what they want to accomplish before the school year ends. This can be academic, personal, or even just classroom-related. Try this resource on self-assessment, personal development, and goal setting.
Encourage reflection. Ask students to think about their progress so far—what they’re proud of and what they’d still like to improve. A short journal entry or a quick discussion can be a great way to do this.
Keep things positive! Recognize small wins, find ways to celebrate progress, and keep the energy up with fun activities and incentives.
Let’s Finish Strong!
Spring cleaning isn’t just about organizing supplies—it’s about refreshing your space, your lessons, and your mindset so you and your students can thrive. Taking a little time now to tidy up and reset can make a huge difference in how the last part of the school year feels.
How do you refresh your classroom in the spring? Share your ideas in the comments!
Comments
Post a Comment