5 Minutes Left...What to do? What to do?

I remember sitting in my classes in high school and always getting that feeling of excitement when I saw the teacher close her book and say those words "That's all I have for today. Everyone do pages * and * for homework tonight." I would look at the clock and she would have 5 minutes left. Now, as a high school student I considered this awesome. This would be the perfect opportunity to check my phone (which was oh so cool when I was in high school...if you were one of the lucky ones to have one). I would talk with a friend or I would get in a quick nap. Now, 5 minutes doesn't sound like a lot but let's add it up.....5 minutes X 5 days a week = 25 minutes of class time and then 25  minutes a week X 4 weeks in a month = 100 minutes...that's one hour and 40 minutes of teaching time!!!! Now 100 minutes X 10 months for school (round about guess) = 1,000 minutes of TEACHING TIME LOST!!!

ARE THESE TEACHERS CRAZY!?!?! I made a vow when I started teaching...I would teach until the bell rings. A lot of times when we see a student grab their backpack, then another,  we end up saying "Oh heck, there's only 5 minutes." I admit it...I have done it myself! Don't let students hijack your class....let them know in the very beginning that THIS IS apart of your lesson plan and you're not done. If they abuse this rule, make them sit down, and keep them past the bell. Promise, they won't try wrapping up early EVER again.

Here's an idea of what I like to do when I have 5 minutes left and my lesson plan is completed. I give the students 30 seconds to pack up their backpacks, book, etc just so they are "ready" to leave. Ring a bell or set a timer and let them know when the 30 seconds are up...they are to quit moving. Have them put their head down, and just relax. They will think you are out of your mind!!! I keep a book of Spanish poetry on the corner of my desk ready to go at all times. If the internet is working great that day...I will type in calming music on youtube and play it while I read. Also, dimming the lights works great to set the poetry mood.  I have little chilis I like to plug in when we are doing certain activities. They love it AND they get to hear Spanish. If I have around 6 minutes or so, I will tell them to raise their hand every time they hear a Spanish word they know. 

I just love seeing those hands shoot up every two seconds and it reminds them they know a lot more Spanish than what they think. 

If you don't want to do poetry, you can always do just a listening assessment or a fake conversation and then ask the students afterward what they heard or could understand :)

God Bless & Happy Teaching!
             -Brittany B.