As the end of the year approaches, it’s important not only to celebrate the work and achievement of students, but to create fun lasting memories.
I asked the teachers in our co-teaching community what their favorite end of the year celebration ideas were.
Here are some fun last week of school activities that can help make the end of the year memorable for everyone.
1. Create a Memory Book
Have students create a memory book where they can write about their favorite memories from the school year. In the future, they can pull it out and see what their school day was like in this grade, who their closest friends were, and what their favorite memories and moments were. After finishing their memory books, having students share some of their most special memories is a great way to wrap up the year.
2. Individual Student Pictures
If you took pictures of each individual student at the start of school year, it would be a nice keepsake to take another picture of them during the last week of school. Then, put them side by side on cardstock and fold in half like a card. Have the students write the date of the first day of school and the date of the last day of school. Have them decorate the card and take it home.
3. Minute to Win It Games
Minute to Win It Games are such a hit. Students love the competition and the quick moving games since you must try to accomplish the tasks with in a minute.
You’ll need to gather a few supplies for the games you are playing and set up a timer.
4. Book Tasting Mini Room Transformation
As teachers, we know the importance of independent reading. Hosting a book tasting room transformation is great way to create a memorable event while also promoting reading. Book tastings allow students to preview different genres in hopes that they will find a new genre or book that will peak their interest. Having students bring in towels is an engaging and thrifty option to set the stage.
5. “The Best Part of You” Page
Nothing makes a child feel good than to receive compliments from their peers. Write each student’s name on a sheet of paper. Hand each person in the classroom their own paper. Have the students pass their paper to the person behind them. That person writes something nice about the person on the sheet of paper. It could be a character trait, a fun memory, something they like about them, etc. Give them about a minute or two each. Then, have them repeat this until paper gets back to the original person.
Don’t let them read it just yet. Collect them. Write your own compliment on each person’s and add a picture. It can be a picture of just them or a class picture. You can then laminate the page to protect it or place them each in a page protector or Dollar Tree frame. Now your students have a beautiful keepsake that will help boost their self-esteem.
6. Thank You Notes
It takes a village, doesn’t it? From the custodial staff, to the cafeteria workers, to the school nurse, and the office staff, the school could not run without everyone’s support. Make a list of all the essential workers at school and have your students write thank you cards to them. It’s a great way to show them how random acts of kindness can go a long way, and it’s a great way to let your co-workers know that their work does not go unseen.
7. Find Someone Who
Anything to help students see that they have something in common with their peers is always a win. Incorporating “Find Someone Who” is a great way to accomplish that. Students walk around and look for someone in their class who can initial a box on their worksheet. Each box has a different phrase such as “Find Someone who loves art” or “Find Someone who read 40 books this year.” Once students have complete the assignment, have students sit and share.
8. Play Brain Break Games
Finally, testing is done and the standards have been covered. It is a great time to incorporate some “Just for Fun” brain break games such as “Boom, Clap, Snatch” or “Hot Potato.”
9. Create a Summer Bucket List
Many adults like to create a summer bucket list of places they’d like to go, activities they’d like to participate in, and books they’d like to read. Have students create one for themselves that they can check off throughout the summer.
10. Would You Rather
Would You Rather has always been one of my students’ favorite. Come up with a set of “this or that” questions. Display one pair at a time and have students answer using response boards or by completing an action. For example, you can ask, “Would you rather swim in the ocean or swim in the pool?” Have students who would rather swim in the ocean do swim stroke motions, and students who would rather swim in the pool pinch their nose. Students have so much fun with these types of actions, and it allows everyone to see each other’s responses quickly.
11. Carnival Day
Have students bring in recyclable or reusable materials. Have them work in pairs or groups of 3 to create a carnival game using the supplies they have. Next, have them to come up with the rules. Then, have them set up their games. Now, you are ready to have a Carnival Day. Have students take turns going around to play the games. I had half of my class play the games while the other half manned their games. After about 20-30 minutes, the two groups switched. It was a lot of fun and students went home telling their parents about the great day at school they had.
12. Create “What I’ve Learned” Webs
Want students to SEE all that they have learned this year? Have them create subject webs. Start in the middle with the subject (ex. grammar). Then, have them work their way out. What did they learn in grammar? Parts of Speech? Have them create a line from grammar and write parts of speech. Then, have them move outward by adding the parts of speech (ex. noun, verb, adjective, adverb, conjunction, preposition). Continue out by adding the types of nouns stemming from the word noun. (ex. proper noun, plural noun, concrete noun, abstract noun) Challenge students to fill up their page. Have them work together or individually. This is also a great activity to do right before testing or after a long holiday break.
13. End of the Year Puzzles
This time of the year can be tricky because you have grades to prepare, awards to figure out, and a classroom to pack up. All while watching your students. Giving students some fun and engaging activities that they can do independently is really important during this time of the year. Have students work on end of the year puzzles. You can have them work independently or in pairs. Have them work quietly or have them compete to see who can finish them first.
14. Go Outside
Winter has ended. The weather is now cooperating. Testing is finally over. You and your students have been cooped up way too long. It’s time to get some fresh air. Give students extended recess time or take a read aloud outside. I remember taking students outside in May almost every day even to complete assignments. It was great for them and great for me. Take advantage of these new sunny and warm days.
15. Have Theme Days
Create a week of theme days. Perhaps it’s crazy sock day, favorite sports team day, or pajama day. Come up with the themes yourself or have students give suggestions.
16. Read Alouds
Read alouds are such a great way to end the year, but I must give a warning. They can be tearful as a reader. One of my favorite end of the year read alouds for 5th grade as they end the year is Be You by Peter H. Reynolds. If you haven’t read it, it’s a must!
17. Talent Show
Our students have so many talents we don’t even know about. In the past, I have had students come up at the end of the school year to show me how they can solve a Rubik’s cube in under two minutes. Others have shown me how flexible they are by placing their feet over their shoulders. Some have come in with musical instruments to play.
Give students an opportunity to show off their talents. It’s so much fun!
18. Pack It Up
If you teach the upper grades, TAKE ADVANTAGE! This age group is very good at helping pack up the classroom. Have students collect textbooks and put them away for you. They can also take down bulletin boards, organize your library, clean out their desks of unwanted papers, etc.
Remember, the last week of school is a perfect time to enjoy your students’ company. By incorporating these fun activities, you can make the last week of school a memorable one for you and your students!
