Inside This Week’s Episode: How you end your lessons shouldn’t be an after-thought, although for many elementary teachers — it often is (at least when we're not being observed!). When you’re spending so much time planning a lesson for your students, be sure to end it on a high note that will bring your students to their feed (trust me, some of these ideas do just that!). In this podcast episode, I’ll show you 10 simple, yet engaging ways to end your next lesson.

How You end a lesson is JUST as important as what you do DURING the lesson.

If you’ve ever spent hours prepping and planning for a lesson in your classroom (and I know you have), then after all that hard work you’re likely ready to just be done. Close the teacher planner and move on to the next task.

How we end a lesson however, whether it be a mini-lesson, a whole-class activity, or even in small guided reading groups, shouldn’t be an after-thought.

But - it often is.

Teachers often think that 5 minutes at the end of a lesson couldn’t really hold that much weight. You’ve already taught the important content during the actual lesson — just instruct your kiddos to close their books, put away their papers and get ready for lunch, right? What more is there to do?

PLENTY.

In fact, the final few minutes of your lesson could make a BIG impact on your students’ over-all understanding of what you just spent the last 30 minutes teaching them.

When you spend so much time planning for an epic lesson in your classroom - give it an epic ending! And don’t worry, I’m not giving you just one more thing to do. I’ve already compiled 10 plug-and-play lesson-enders that you can do right away in your classroom!

Ready to bring your students to their feet (literally) at the end of your lesson?

Here’s a Snapshot:

• [01:56] Presenting our lessons to students is kind of like a musical performance. We want that epic beginning that's going to grab our students’ attention right from the start and we want that standing ovation at the end of our lesson. Simply put - we want to leave our students with a lasting impression when it comes to learning new things.

• [02:56] Sometimes all it takes is a quick minute (literally!) at the end of your lesson to challenge students to review what they’ve learned in an engaging way - I’ve got a simple end-of-lesson activity that will have your students talking, discussion, and reviewing - all in 60 seconds or less!

• [04:48] Speaking of 60 seconds of less - how does 5 WORDS or less sound? Teach your students to make each word count by encouraging them to sum up what they’ve learned from your lesson in just a few words. This strategy is perfect for helping students to reflect on only the most important information.

• [06:34] Whether you work with younger students, or upper elementary students, I’ve got several ways to end your next lesson that will not only get your students thinking (and talking…and drawing…), but it will help YOU evaluate and assess their understanding of a new concept.

• [8:59] Sometimes the best ways to end your lesson is to turn the tables and let your students be the teacher. Learn how to help students take on the role of expert to teach their classmates new information. AND - You only need a few minutes to try this strategy on for size!

• [11:11] Wrapping up a lesson can be as easy as 1-2-3! Seriously - try out the “1-2-3 strategy” and you’ll see those “aha” light bulbs turning on from your students!

Links & Resources Mentioned in the Episode

EPISODE 44: Engaging Ways to Start a Lesson

POST: How to Quickly Check Your Students' Understanding

RESOURCE: Show What You Know Cards

SONG: Do The Hustle

Grab my FREE Show What You Know Assessment Cards:

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