This post is all about Managing Energy in the Classroom During Spring

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Spring is a time of renewal, growth, and, let’s be honest, a lot of pent-up energy in the classroom! After months of winter routines, students suddenly seem more restless, eager to be outside, and full of energy that can make focusing on lessons a challenge. I’ve been there, trying to get my students to settle down while they fidget at their desks.

But instead of fighting against the natural energy that spring brings, we can channel it in positive ways. Here are some tried-and-tested strategies for managing energy in the classroom during spring while keeping students engaged and learning with fun and effective spring classroom activities.

Managing Energy in the Classroom During Spring

1. Start the Day with Movement

Students will come in buzzing with energy after playing outside before school. Instead of trying to settle them straight into quiet work, try start the day with a quick movement activity. I use this free classroom yoga and breathing exercises in my classroom and it tends to work really well.

Get them for free here:

Incorporating movement first thing in the morning can help students get their wiggles out and transition into a focused learning mindset. Consider:

Quick stretching routines
Short dance breaks with upbeat music
Brain breaks like “Would You Rather” movement games
Outdoor ‘walk and talk’ discussions before settling into lessons

These engaging student activities for spring can help regulate energy levels while keeping lessons fun and interactive.

2. Bring Spring Themes into Your Lessons

One of my favourite ways to embrace spring in the classroom is by weaving it into lesson plans. Seasonal themes make learning more engaging and relevant, and they help students stay excited about their work.

A few engaging spring classroom activities include:

Math: Graphing the weather changes or measuring plant growth
Literacy: Spring-themed creative writing prompts (e.g., “If I Were a Butterfly”)
Science: Exploring life cycles of plants and animals
Art: Creating spring nature collages with leaves and flowers

When students see the world outside reflected in their learning, they are more invested and naturally more engaged in the lessons.

These Spring-themed Symmetry worksheets work a treat.

SPRING SYMMETRY

3. Take Learning Outdoors

When the sun is shining, why not take advantage of the beautiful weather? My students get so excited when I announce we’re be having our reading time outside under a tree. They are actually more engaged than usual.

Some great spring classroom activities to incorporate outdoor learning include:

Reading outside – Let students find a comfy spot to enjoy their books.
Math scavenger hunts – Hide math problems around the playground and have students find and solve them.
Science nature walks – Observe seasonal changes, collect leaves, or sketch plants.
Writing inspiration walks – Have students jot down observations and use them in their creative writing.

4. Implement Brain Breaks Strategically

Spring energy can make long lessons feel impossible, so breaking up the day with brain breaks is a must. I used to power through lessons without giving breaks, but I quickly learned that my students were zoning out halfway through. Now, I intentionally add short, engaging breaks every 30 minutes.

Some of my go-to brain breaks include:

GoNoodle movement videos
Five-minute yoga stretches
Quick mindfulness breathing exercises

Short, structured breaks keep students from becoming too restless while keeping their energy in check, making them an essential part of classroom management strategies for spring.

5. Refresh Your Classroom Environment

Just like spring is a time for renewal, your classroom environment can also get a seasonal refresh. A cluttered or stale classroom can add to students’ restlessness, so small changes can make a big difference.

Ways to refresh your classroom:

Open windows for fresh air and natural light.
Rearrange desks or create new seating arrangements.
Add a ‘Spring Goals’ bulletin board where students can post their learning or personal goals.
Incorporate plants or flowers to bring nature inside.

6. Use Positive Reinforcement and Classroom Incentives

When students are excited and full of energy, behavior management can become more challenging. Instead of constantly redirecting behavior, I focus on positive reinforcement to encourage focus and effort.

Some effective classroom management strategies for spring include:

Spring-themed reward charts – Let students earn stickers or points for staying on task.
Mystery Motivators – Surprise rewards for focused work (e.g., extra recess, a fun spring-themed activity).
Class goals – Set a collective challenge like ‘10 days of great listening’ with a special spring-themed reward at the end.

I found that my students were more engaged when they had something to work toward, and it helped keep classroom energy positive rather than chaotic.

7. Foster Social-Emotional Learning Through Spring Activities

Spring is a time of change, and it’s a great opportunity to focus on social-emotional learning (SEL). Students may be feeling the excitement of the season but also experiencing transitions, such as preparing for the next school year.

Some SEL-focused engaging student activities for spring include:

Growth mindset lessons – Compare personal growth to plants growing in spring.
Acts of kindness challenges – Encourage students to complete spring-themed kindness activities.
Mindfulness activities – Have students spend a few minutes in silence outdoors, simply observing and breathing.

Try this kindness challenge out with your kids

Final Thoughts

Managing energy in the classroom during spring doesn’t have to be a struggle, it can be an opportunity! By embracing movement, taking learning outdoors, incorporating spring classroom activities, and using positive reinforcement, you can create a classroom environment that is both engaging and productive.

Every year, I tweak my approach to managing spring energy, and each time, I’m reminded that leaning into the season rather than resisting it makes all the difference. So, let’s embrace the longer days, the fresh air, and the excitement, while keeping our students engaged and learning along the way!

What are your favourite classroom management strategies for spring? Let’s share ideas in the comments below!