Can you believe another school year is winding down? And yet, it's important to help keep kids interested in school for a few more weeks. If you let them zone out now, they'll be a nightmare in the classroom when it's time to focus and at home when it's time for homework.

Whether your kids are in public school or get their education from home or online, make sure they finish each school year strong. Here are some ideas for keeping them engaged as they enter the home stretch of the school year.

Prevent dead time

You know all about "dead time," though you may not have heard it called that before. It's when students start to lose focus, when "the lights are on but nobody's home" and when learning has officially ground to a halt. You'll see it happen more frequently the closer you get to summer.

When you see students slipping into this stupor, have a quick change of activity ready. You can also prevent dead time by giving small, thought-provoking writing or reflection assignments in between lessons or while you're passing out papers. Don't give yourself more grading than you need, though. Make it a reflection journal and check one or two entries weekly.

Take movement breaks

No matter what age the students are, taking a movement break can help wake them up when their energy levels are low and help them refocus on the assignment or on you. Do a few stretches, a couple dozen jumping jacks and then back to the grindstone. Quick transitions are key to avoiding that dreaded dead time.

Incorporate more object lessons

Could any of the topics you're teaching lend themselves to object lessons? Liven up the day with a little baking soda and vinegar — there are a ton of variations on the old volcano trick — or get the kids up and moving around by hiding puzzle pieces around the room they have to find and assemble to reveal a secret message.

Use named popsicle sticks

Nothing keeps a student more focused than the chance he or she could get called on at any minute. Write the name of every student on a separate popsicle stick and stick them all in a plastic cup. If hands are sparse when you ask a question, use the cup to cold-call students for the answer.

Transition from group work quickly

This is another of those possible dead time zones teachers try to prevent. Waiting for students to finish discussions and reassemble their desks can increase dawdling and slow down lesson momentum. Help encourage quicker turnaround time with a countdown timer, or have everyone in the group raise their hands when their discussion is done.

Try using learning centers

Here's some movement paired with learning activities. You can set up centers around the room with puzzles, games or worksheets for the students to complete. Pair them up to improve accountability and either let them work through the activities at their own pace or set a timer to signal rotation.

Create a class scrapbook

Laura Candler explained to teachhub.com how class scrapbooks work in her room. "Let each student design his or her own special page. The front of the page can include their name, a photo, illustrations, and other personal touches. Have each student write you a letter about the school year and glue it onto the back of his or her page. Add a student-created cover, laminate all pages, and bind the finished product with plastic comb binding."

This hands-on activity can improve classroom community spirit and bring a sense of closure to the year.

Implement 'Fun Friday'

Rather than allowing your students to fixate on the summer vacations weeks away, give them something to focus on and look forward to each week: Fun Friday. Only those students who complete all their homework for the week may participate. Allow students to bring board games from home or provide them with some free reading or writing time. For extra fun, team up with other classes in your grade level and challenge each other to a friendly game of freeze tag or kickball.

Start classroom book clubs

Book clubs aren't just for adults. You might be surprised how much the students in your class will enjoy reading and discussing together. Give them an option of several books and provide class time for them to meet in their groups.

Readwritethink.org explains how it worked for one classroom.

"This 'just for fun' book club was a student-organized, student-driven reading experience that built community in the classroom and encouraged students to read independently, taking responsibility for their literacy learning."

Get outside

Take advantage of the warmer weather by adjourning outdoors for short lectures, worksheet time, or read-aloud sessions. Is there a book you've wanted to share but didn't have time to do so before? Now is your chance.

Visit Utah Online School for more ideas on how to fight end-of-the-school-year blahs.

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