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Finals are a review that many students are now required to complete, some as early as middle school. But when they're done memorizing all those facts for the written exam, put your students to the real test. What have they actually learned this year? How will they use this new wisdom in the years to come? Can they show you that they've actually retained some of the more tedious lessons? Try these activities on for size....

Build a Diorama
If it's English & Language Arts you're tackling, no matter what grade level, have students recreate one of their favorite scenes in 3D. A scene with dimension built inside a shoe box or perhaps even a larger box requires some physical activity and artistic creativity as well. Working in groups or individually, ask students to recreate their favorite setting from a book or play you taught this year.

Story Time
As an alternative to a diorama, you might also have students construct puppets for each character in a book you studied this year. When you've assigned each character to a student, have the remaining students build scenery and even a stage for a puppet show. Have an afternoon of entertainment with neighboring classes or visit a different grade to expose younger students to the literature they can look forward to. You can also assign different groups in your own class different books, then let the groups perform for each other. Don't forget to assign the writing of an abridged script as well.

Movie Hours
It may seem obvious, but many teachers spend the last few weeks of school showing movies. (Oh yes, that again...) Hear us out though - often times you will find that a classic story has not only been made into a movie, but remade, and then remade again (Lord of the Flies and Hamlet just to name a few). Compare the different versions with your students. Critique the acting and discuss the "creative license" that directors and writers have taken in each film. Are the costumes accurate? Has the ending been rewritten? Rate the movies and write reviews from the original author's perspective.

Science Fair - Take 2
You may have already participated in the Science Fair this year, but you can recap the fundamentals of a winning entry by building "mini-entries." For a quick, one-day lesson have students apply the scientific method to a classroom experiment of their choice, but using only the materials on hand. This makes it easier on you and keeps students from turning a small experiment into a full-blown project. When they have finished their conclusions, have them construct a small desktop display (again using only materials from around the room) and host a miniature Science Fair. Keep it simple! One example of a project would be "How much pressure does it take to break a pencil?"

Welcome to the Real World
Revisit one of our favorite themes by asking students to tell you how they will apply what they've learned in your class to the real world. What practical applications will their math and science lessons have? What did they learn in English that will help them in the workforce later in life? What have they learned that will contribute to their future social life? Have them write a short paper to explain, or brainstorm out loud and make a list on your overhead projector or on the chalkboard. Rewrite the list in the form of a bookmark and run photocopies, then cut and hand out as a parting gift.

Letters to Learn From
Hey, the kids aren't the only ones that should be learning here! Many teachers will have their students fill out a questionnaire at the end of the year that asks things like "What did like most about this class?" "What did you like least?" "What would you have done different if you were the teacher?". While getting honest responses to questions like these can be very helpful to you as a teacher, you may not always be able to get completely honest responses. Don't discount the usefulness of asking you students for feedback, but remember that once you form a relationship with those students, they may be reluctant to tell you about things they didn't like, and others may believe that telling you they loved everything will earn them points on their final grade. So after you give them the quiz or have them write down some quick thoughts, have them write a letter to the teachers they haven't met yet! Ask them to tell their teacher for next year what they would like to learn about, and what kinds of projects they like or dislike and why. As a service to their future teacher you can pass these letters along. Ask the teachers of the grade under yours to do the same for you. It can a rewarding and education experience for everyone.

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