Loosli Learning

The Last Class Period of the Year Hi Teacher Friend, There’s something really special about the final class period of the school year. It feels like an opportunity to create one last memory together, to end the year with energy, reflection, and a moment that students actually remember. I’ve been brainstorming fun little traditions and activities that could make those final moments feel intentional instead of just waiting for the bell to ring. None of these have to be complicated or expensive....

The Last Page of the Exam Hi Teacher Friend, Semester exams can easily become very cold and transactional. Students walk in stressed. They take the test. They leave. But one thing I’ve realized is that even during exams, we still have opportunities to build community and leave students with something meaningful. I always give my semester exams on paper. Originally, this started because I never wanted to risk internet outages or technology problems during testing. But over time, I started...

End-of-Year Reflection Hi Teacher Friend, It’s that time of year where I’m finishing the last days of school… but mentally, I’ve already started reflecting on next year. What do I want to change? What actually worked? What needs to adapt? I wanted to share a few of the biggest shifts I’ve made over the last few years, and where I’m headed next. What I’ve Changed Over the past few years, one thing has become very clear: We have to adapt to the reality of the world our students are growing up...

Summer Countdown Energy Hi Teacher Friend, The last few weeks of school can feel like a completely different classroom. Energy drops. Focus shifts. Students are mentally already on summer break. So instead of fighting it, I lean into it, with intention. One of my favorite things to do is theme my Conversation Cart (or classroom entrance) for summer countdown energy. I turn it into something students look forward to as they walk in, just like the first week of school. I display a countdown of...

End-of-Year Superlatives Hi Teacher Friend, One of my favorite ways to end the year is by turning our classroom into an awards ceremony. But not just any awards, content-based superlatives that connect back to everything we learned throughout the year. It’s such a fun way to celebrate your students while also reinforcing the content you spent months teaching. In my psychology classes, I always include one major award: “Psychology Student of the Year” I only choose one student across all my...

Class Field Day Hi Teacher Friend, One of my favorite end-of-year traditions is hosting a Class Field Day, and yes, I do this even in high school. After months of learning, testing, and pushing through the school year, students need a moment to just play, move, and be kids again. And honestly… they love it. What makes this work so well is that I don’t plan it alone. I plan it with my students. How We Plan It I take time in class to ask students: What games do you actually want to play? You’ll...

The Cookie Giver 🍪 Hi Teacher Friend, One of the most meaningful traditions I do in my classroom happens at the end of the year, but I actually start planning it around this time. It’s called The Cookie Giver. This is an activity I learned from my mom, and it has become something my students talk about even the next year. It’s one of those moments that sticks with them far beyond content or testing. At the end of the year, we pause and reflect on the people who made a difference in our lives....

Connection Before Content Hi Teacher Friend, One of the most important things I’ve learned about classroom management is this: When students feel connected to you and to each other, everything else gets easier. When your class becomes a place they enjoy being, when it feels like their “favorite class”—they are so much more willing to engage, participate, and meet expectations. That buy-in changes everything. No matter what subject or grade level you teach, building connection between teacher...

Get Students Talking About Something Good Hi Teacher Friend, One simple prompt can completely change the tone of a classroom. I’ve started asking my students to “Share Something Good That Happened Today.” You can post the prompt as students walk into class, or you can pause at a specific time during the week and give them a moment to think before sharing. What I love most is the pause. Students actually stop and think about their day for a moment before responding. Sometimes it takes a few...