Telling Time/ Out of Time

Tomorrow will be our last day focusing on telling time.  Next week we'll be working on data and graphs with time as extra practice.  We've also been working on double digits as extra practice and will continue to do so.  I would love to see 100% of the class meet our math goal and I think it is very obtainable if they keep working.
I did have a heart-to-heart talk with the class this morning.  Several students have been slacking off during the last few weeks.  I reminded them we only have a few weeks until the end-of-year tests.  We are out of time for slacking.  Now is the time to work harder than ever before.  They seemed really motivated, until independent work time came around (the work avoiders continued to avoid). 
I wish there was an easy way to teach  7/8 year olds that the only way to learn to their potential is to work and use their best effort.  We often say in the classroom "If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you". The other day I had a student groan because of the assignment I gave him.  I smiled, hugged him and told him how excited I was that he was feeling frustrated.  He looked at me as if I had three eyes.  I reminded him, that if he was feeling challenged he was soon to be changed!  He still looked at me as if I were crazy, but he did get to work (and he won't admit it, but I think he smiled too).  So, prepare you kiddos, they are still going to be challenged these last few weeks of school (Shh, it's going to happen even after our end-of-year tests are through!).  Spring fever or not, we won't quite learning!