Before you solidify your plans for the final stretch, take a moment to pause, lean in, and directly ask your students about their learning experiences. Their feedback isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s instructional gold, offering profound insights into what truly resonated with them and where you can continue to make a meaningful impact.

Think about the limitations of a standard quiz which often falls short in revealing a student's ability to apply concepts, synthesize information, or communicate their understanding in a nuanced way. Mini-projects provide a tangible avenue for students to demonstrate their learning in ways that are both authentic and personally relevant.

The intense focus in high-stakes tests, while intended to measure academic progress, can inadvertently send powerful messages. It can suggest that the ultimate goal of learning is simply to perform well on a test, rather than to cultivate a lifelong love of inquiry, develop critical thinking skills, or forge meaningful connections with the material and with each other.