By the time May and June roll around, classrooms just feel different.
Students are tired.
Teachers are tired.
Attention spans are shorter.
And honestly? I’ve learned that this is not the time to keep piling on more.
Over the years, I’ve actually started simplifying things more and more at this point in the school year — and it’s made a huge difference.
I stop overcomplicating activities
This used to be the time of year where I felt pressure to keep things exciting with brand-new ideas and elaborate activities.
But what I’ve learned is that students don’t necessarily need more.
They need things that feel:
- familiar
- manageable
- predictable
Simple activities almost always go better this time of year than overly complicated ones.
I lean into routines students already know
By May, students are comfortable with certain centres, materials, and expectations.
So instead of constantly introducing new things, I reuse activities we already know how to do.
That way:
- students can work more independently
- transitions are smoother
- and there’s less frustration overall
The learning is still happening — students just aren’t overwhelmed trying to figure out directions all the time.
I focus more on regulation and movement
This is probably the biggest shift for me.
Especially now in my Student Services role, I see how much students need:
- movement
- breaks
- predictable support
- and opportunities to reset
Sometimes a quick movement break or a familiar hands-on activity does more than pushing through another worksheet ever could.
I stop expecting perfection
At this point in the year, I focus a lot more on:
- connection
- engagement
- and small wins
Not every activity needs to be perfect.
Not every student is going to produce their best work every single day.
And honestly, that’s okay.
Simple tends to work best
The activities I keep coming back to are usually the simplest ones:
- fine motor bins
- hands-on math
- sorting activities
- building tasks
- movement-based learning
Things students can jump into without a long explanation.
Those are the activities that continue to work — even when energy levels are low.
The bigger picture
I think this time of year is a good reminder that learning is about more than just getting through content.
Students need to feel:
- safe
- successful
- and supported
And sometimes simplifying things is actually what helps us get there.
Final Thought
If your classroom feels different right now, you’re not doing anything wrong.
This time of year is different.
Sometimes the best thing we can do is stop trying to do more — and focus on what’s already working.
Looking for Simple, Hands-On Activities?
If you’re looking for low-prep, repeatable activities that work well this time of year, you can find hands-on resources in my La Petite Classe store.
They’re designed to be simple to run, engaging for students, and easy to use again and again throughout the year.