Episode 321: Closing Time: End-of-Year Routines to Wrap Up Your Classroom, Grades, and Sanity

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In today’s episode of the Teaching Middle School ELA podcast, Caitlin shares simple, effective end-of-year routines to help you wrap up the school year with clarity and calm. If May feels like a whirlwind, this is your guide to finishing strong—without the stress. Let’s make the last few weeks feel a little more doable and a lot more intentional. 

Caitlin's Journaling Spotify Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6NTHZhBj1LwIvfRF5gAFd8?si=368bcb58b9084045

📋 Closing Time Checklist
Use this checklist to simplify your end-of-year systems and finish strong—without losing your mind:

🧼 CLASSROOM WRAP-UP

• ☐ Pick one zone to clean each day (desk, supply area, library, etc.)
• ☐ Recruit your "Classroom Closing Crew" to help with specific jobs
• ☐ Label, store, and pack materials with next year in mind

📝 GRADES + ASSESSMENTS

• ☐ Set your final due dates and communicate them clearly
• ☐ Only grade assignments that reflect meaningful learning
• ☐ Use student self-assessment and simple rubrics to save time
• ☐ Batch-grade using 25-minute time blocks (Pomodoro method)
• ☐ Write 2–3 quick reflection notes about each student’s growth

🧠 YOUR SANITY

• ☐ Schedule a “Final Friday” solo work block to close out loose ends
• ☐ Make a “Start of Next Year” checklist and save it in your planner
• ☐ Give yourself permission to pause—don’t plan next year just yet

✅ Pro Tip: Print this checklist, highlight what works for you, and tuck it somewhere visible for the final two weeks of school. Small steps = a smoother finish.

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