Part 4 Lesson 3: Having a Hopeful Mindset for Ending the School Year on a Positive Note

A four parts series on Ending the School Year on a Positive Note: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4

In this last of the 4 Parts series, Dr. Mohammed Saleem highlights the third and last lesson from Surah An Nasr that we can apply in our classrooms during the last days of school. The focus is on creating a hopeful mindset instead one of despair and classroom activities teachers can do to give hope to their students as we end the school year.

Use the guiding key questions below for self-assessment and to plan for the last days of school.

Watch the video to learn the answers to the following questions:

• Why does Allah’s attribute of Al-Tawwab mean? How did it give hope to the Prophet (saw) as he was nearing the completion of his mission?
• Why is it important to give hope to students as the school year comes to an end?
• What classroom activities can we do to give hope to our students?

Key Questions for End of Year

Use these key questions for self-assessment and to make a plan for the last days of school.

Relationships

1. How well did I connect with Allah (swt) this year?
2. How well did my students connect with Allah (swt) this year?
3. How well did my students and I connect with each other?
4. How well did my students connect with each other?
5. How well did I connect with my colleagues? With the admin?
6. Did I appreciate those who volunteered for me?
7. Do I have a plan to recognize/appreciate/celebrate student achievements? (informal awards)
8. What key messages do I need to share with my students?
9. What key messages do I need to share with my parents? With colleagues?
10. What is my plan to help each other forgive, forget, and move on? (Dua day)

Reflections

1. Did I survey the students for feedback? Favorite lessons, activities, least favorite, why?
2. Did I survey the parents for feedback?
3. Do I plan to revisit my lessons and classroom activities to determine what to use and modify for next year?
4. Did I like my classroom management plan? What worked, what didn’t work so well?
5. Did I accomplish everything I needed to?
6. Did I teach the topics in a good order?
7. How well did my lesson and activities align with the Tarbiyah framework?
8. What were some of the frustrations in my life, in my classroom, or in my building that I may have to address to make next year more enjoyable?
9. What was my favorite moment?
10. What did I learn about teaching this year?
11. Did I have a good work/personal life balance?
12. Next year I would like to do more . Next year I would like to do less _.
13. Next year I would like to try _.

Learning

1. Do I have a clear student assessment plan? Do I have enough sources of evidence for assessment?
2. Did I communicate academic expectations with my students?
3. Did I communicate with parents so they do not receive any unpleasant surprises?
4. Did I have a plan for students missing assignments?
5. Did I submit the final marks for all students?
6. How am I going to formally recognize students for their achievements? (student awards, etc.)
7. Am I going to ask students to create a Learning Transfer Map (LTM)? What knowledge and skills do I need to take with me for next year?

Organizational

1. Should I review student jobs to make sure they are aligned for the last days of school? (maybe focus more on clean up, organization, etc.)
2. Did I re-organize my teacher resources and secure them so it is easier upon my return and/or to hand over? (think of sadaqah jaariyah)
3. Did I take an inventory of all items (textbooks, supplies, etc.)?
4. Did I return all the items that I checked out? (library, office keys, parking permits, etc.)
5. Do I have a plan for students to clean their belongings and take them home?
6. Did I secure the furniture, equipment, and other supplies?
7. Did I clean up and re-organize my computer, emails, Google classroom (archive), any other e-resources I was using and get them ready for next year?
8. Did I leave a vacation reply on my school email?

Extending

1. How can I extend my students’ learning during the summer to avoid the summer slump? (summer bucket list, summer learning package, etc.)
2. Do I have a plan for my own self-development? Taking a course, reading a book, etc.?

Next Year

1. Did I finalize and submit a class supply list for next year?
2. Did I communicate to the school admin what I need for next year?
3. Did I complete and submit the EOY report?

Last Days

1. Do I have a set of activities for the last days of school? Gallery walks, check-ins, etc.
2. How am I leveraging the school wide activities to keep students engaged?
3. Do I have a plan for the last day of school?

Don’t forget to share your own ideas on ending the school year on a positive note in the comments below.