What's Left to Do?

I admit I put off responding to this prompt.  Putting down all that's left to do between now and mid-June in one place is a little intimidating.  Even without writing it all down, it's a little scary.  I tend to take this time of year one week at a time.

Between now and the end of the year there are:

• Five performances
• Four field trips
• Two EdCamps (Not school required, but they still take time.  Super, awesome, collaborative time!)
• EdCamp Lake Orion
• EdCamp Detroit
• Discovery Days (our elementary open house)
• Recruiting activities for 5th Grade Band (testing, fitting, parent meeting)
• Post-tests to be given
• Student-growth numbers to be determined for 300 ish students spread over 13 different classes
• And oh yeah, teaching.

On top of all the things I listed above, we've also hit the time of year for our state mandated M-STEP testing.  Since the test is computer based, it has to be done by smaller groups over the next six weeks rather than whole grades completing it over a few days.  That has to be taken into account with activities as well.  Students who have had their testing block that morning may not be up for much later that day.  

Finally, I'm aware that I put teaching at the bottom of the list, but that doesn't mean it's at the bottom of the priorities.  It's a constant challenge to find ways to make sure quality teaching and learning still happen this time of year.  I also need to remember that these things aren't the only events in my students' lives during the last card marking.  They've got other classes, spring sports, graduation parties, scouts, post-tests to take, driver's education, summer jobs starting, etc.  With so much going on, I have to work hard to be present for the kids that are in front of me.

It's going to be a wacky eight-ish weeks, but just like always, the students and I will make it through and have fun doing it!