How to Handle Tough Behavior at the End of the Year (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Coffee Mug)

Ah, the end of the school year—a magical time when pencils are chewed beyond recognition, glue sticks have mysteriously vanished, and students suddenly forget what a “line” is. If your class feels like a scene from a sitcom lately, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Here are seven lighthearted but effective strategies to keep your classroom calm(ish), cool(ish), and collected(ish) as the countdown to summer begins.

1. Reinforce Expectations (Because Apparently Everyone Has Amnesia) Remember those lovely classroom rules you spent so much time going over in August? Time to dust them off like your emergency chocolate stash. Revisit expectations often, using visual cues, gentle reminders, and, if necessary, interpretive dance. Be consistent—even if your students start treating your reminders like background noise. Boundaries = sanity.

2. Establish Clear Routines (So You Don’t End Up in a Chaos Spiral) Routines are your best friend—like a planner that actually gets used. Reinforce daily schedules like your life depends on it (because it kind of does). Morning meetings? Still a thing. Transition songs? Crank them up. Dismissal procedures? Please don’t let them turn into a stampede. Predictability helps keep the class—and your blood pressure—steady.

3. Implement Positive Reinforcement (Praise, Stickers, and Possibly Bribes—We Mean Incentives) Catch your students being awesome, even if it’s just remembering to raise their hand before shouting “TEACHER!” Give high fives, verbal praise, stickers, or whatever magical trinkets motivate your group. Consider class rewards too—nothing says unity like a shared goal, like earning a pajama day or ten minutes of absolutely not learning.

4. Offer Choices and Responsibilities (AKA: Make Them Feel Like Mini Bosses)

Want to see kids beam with pride? Give them a clipboard and call them “Line Leader.” Let students make choices about where or how they work (within reason—no, not under the desk again). Giving them ownership makes them more invested—and might buy you a few precious moments of peace.

5. Utilize Restorative Practices (Because “He Looked at Me Funny” Is an Actual Crisis) Conflicts will happen, usually over extremely important matters like who got the green crayon. Instead of going full Judge Judy, lean into restorative practices. Facilitate calm conversations, encourage empathy, and remind them that apologies don’t have to be mumbled while staring at the ceiling.

6. Provide Individualized Support (Because Every Class Has a Wild Card or Three) Some students need extra support—especially when their excitement for summer comes out in the form of cartwheels during math. Tailor your approach: maybe they need more structure, maybe they need a brain break, maybe they just need someone to say, “I see you.” Collaborate with counselors, support staff, and yes, even parents, to build a game plan that works.

7. Maintain Self-Care (Before You Turn Into a Human Coffee Bean)

You can’t pour from an empty cup (especially if the cup is already half-full of lukewarm coffee from this morning). Prioritize rest, laughter, and yes, boundaries. Take walks, vent to a teacher bestie, or indulge in that snack stash you pretend is for the kids. You’ve made it this far—treat yourself accordingly.

Managing behavior at the end of the year doesn’t have to feel like surviving a reality show challenge. With structure, humor, and a whole lot of empathy, you can help your students cross the finish line with their dignity (and yours) intact. Celebrate the chaos, the growth, and the glitter that never really comes out of the carpet. You did it. You’re a rockstar. Now go rest—summer break is your reward!