Do you ever feel like you blink and the year is coming to a close? It sneaks up on you! The end of the school year is busy, chaotic, and full of energy. However, the final days of school can be fun and productive with these end-of-year graduation ideas.
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End of the Year Activities
Keys of Wisdom
Create a bulletin board for next year’s students using the wise words from this year’s class. Give each student a cut out key to write their “wise words” on. For example, “always come to class prepared” or “write only in pencil in Mrs. C’s class” etc. The keys can be decorated and put on display for the incoming class.
Pen Pals
Your students from this year are experts by now. They know you, your class, and your routines. Have them write a letter to an incoming student telling them everything they need to know. This is a great way to have your current students practice their writing skills and a great way to welcome your incoming students and get rid of some of the first day jitters.
Visit the New Teacher
Many schools do move up days, but if your school does not, consider arranging a visit with the teacher for next year so your students can meet their new teacher before the first day of school. This way students can ask questions, get to know the teacher a little bit, and even get summer work.
Read Alouds to End the Year
I always read aloud to my 4th grade class. They loved it! I have linked picture books below because they are great for when you are short on time but you can use them as a starting point for an assignment.
The Night Before Summer Vacation by Natasha Wing This book is great for starting a discussion about what your students will do over summer vacation.
And then Comes Summer by Tom Brenner This is another great book to get students thinking about all the fun things they will do over summer.
Last Day Blues by Julie Dannenberg This book is from the Jitters Series. It makes the teacher relatable and is a good way to book end the year if you begin with The First Day Jitters.
Mrs. Spitzer’s Garden by Edith Pattou A sweet picture book that likens teaching to tending a garden. I gave this book to my mentor teacher when I completed my student teaching back in the day.
Lizzie and the Last Day of School by Trinka Hakes Noble This book is great for those students who really love school and are sad to see the school year come to a close.
I Wish You More by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld is perfect for sharing our wishes for our students as they continue on without us.
End of the Year Gifts
Write a Letter
Write a letter to your students! A letter from the teacher about the school year will be a treasured keepsake and a fun reflection for years to come. A colleague of mine use to write one letter for the whole class and incorporated every student’s name and a fond memory of that student or something they were good at. The students cherished these letters!
Give a Book
Scholastic Book Clubs usually have 1$ books that can be purchased monthly. I would scoop these deals up each month and often gave these as gifts to my students. The book titles vary and some are quite good!
Be Punny
Everyone loves a good pun, right? Get punny with these easy gifts! You can grab the gift tags below for free! The gifts themselves can be purchased fairly inexpensively at discount stores, Amazon, or Oriental Trading. If you are a planner grab some on clearance at the end of the season and hold on to them for next year’s students!
Hop onto some more End of Year Graduation Ideas from these super talented teachers:
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