Summer break is so close… and yet somehow still feels 400 years away.
If you’re running on coffee, hope, and sheer willpower, you’re in good company.
The last weeks of school bring schedule changes, wild energy, and a whole lot of “What even IS happening right now?” moments.

You don’t need a miracle. You just need a few small, smart strategies to help you hold it together without losing your mind.

Here are five behavior tips to help you keep calm, stay consistent, and cross the finish line with your sanity (mostly) intact.

1. Consistency Is Still the Secret Sauce

Now is not the time to reinvent the rules.
When everything else feels unpredictable — assemblies, field trips, schedule changes, and students bouncing off the walls — your routines are the steady anchor students still need.

In fact, the more chaotic things feel, the more students rely on the calm, predictable structure you bring.
It’s not about being strict — it’s about being steady.
When you hold firm to your expectations (even when you’re tired, even when summer feels like a mirage), you give your students the safety of knowing what to expect and how to succeed.

If your expectation was “raise your hand before speaking” in September, it’s still “raise your hand before speaking” today.

Consistency doesn’t always get the spotlight.
But it’s what keeps everything (and everyone) moving toward the finish line — together

2. Build In Structured Reset Breaks

Transitions are tough for students — and by this point in the year, they’re even tougher.
After lunch, recess, assemblies, or special activities, attention and behavior often fall apart.

Instead of jumping straight into the next task, build a few minutes of structured reset time into your day.
A quiet read-aloud, calming music, breathing exercises, or even a two-minute “settle and stretch” break can give students the chance to refocus before diving into learning again.

Resetting after high-energy transitions isn’t wasted time — it’s an investment in smoother afternoons, fewer meltdowns, and a saner classroom.

Need a simple way to make structured breaks part of your routine?
My I Need a Break resource gives you visual options that work whole group or individually — perfect for helping students reset quickly and calmly when they need it most.
(You can check it out here — )

Small pauses = big payoff.

3. Keep Directions Short (Tell Them What To Do)

Right now, short, simple directions can be one of your best classroom tools.

Energy is stretched thin this time of year — keeping directions short and simple can help everyone stay focused.

When you give directions, keep them positive, short, and crystal clear.
Focus on telling students what to do, not just what to stop.
Think text message length — “Walk in the hallway.” “Use a quiet voice.” “Eyes on your work.”

The shorter and more action-focused your directions are, the less room there is for confusion, arguing, or total shutdown.
Quick, clear cues keep students moving without overwhelming them — or you.

Pro tip:
Say it. Pause. Let it land. Then move on.
(Resist the urge to pile on extra words — the more direct you are, the easier it is for students to follow.)

The less you say — and the more you focus on what to do — the faster you’ll all get where you need to go.

4. Mystery Motivators = Secret Weapon

When motivation is running low (for everyone), adding a little surprise can make all the difference.

Mystery Motivators are simple:
Pick a behavior goal — like staying on task, lining up quickly, or keeping work areas clean.
Pick a secret reward — a dance break, extra recess minutes, drawing time, or a class vote for a fun activity.

If students meet the goal by a certain point in the day, you reveal the mystery reward.
If not, you try again tomorrow — no shame, no drama.

The best part?
You don’t have to plan something huge every time. The excitement comes from the surprise, not the size of the reward.

Small moments of fun can pull students back in when their focus starts slipping — and give everyone a reason to finish strong.

5. Praise the Good Out Loud

In the middle of the end-of-year chaos, it’s easy to focus on everything that’s slipping.
But one of the fastest ways to bring students (and yourself) back on track is to catch and name the good moments — out loud and often.

It doesn’t have to be huge or formal.
A quick, genuine comment like “I love how Jasmine got started right away” or “Shout out to this table for working together respectfully” can shift the energy in seconds.

When you call out positive behavior publicly, you make it visible — and what’s visible tends to multiply.
(Bonus: it reminds you there’s still a lot going right, even when the days feel long.)

Focus on what you want more of, say it loud enough for everyone to hear, and watch the ripple effect start to build.