You have made it to the last few weeks of school! The big question – can you survive these last few weeks? I am sharing some simple tips that will not only have you surviving but actually thriving the last few weeks in an early elementary classroom!
Grab Your Read-Alouds for the Last Few Weeks
Fill your book basket with some fun read-aloud options. I always suggest having books available, but at the end of the year especially, books can be a real lifesaver!
When students become a little too excited and a little too busy (you know what I am talking about), a calming but enjoyable read-aloud can save the moment!
You can read 5 Amazing Picture Books for Rounding Up the School Year to get some specific book recommendations.
Be sure to also fill the book basket with some of your personal favorites. Your students will love hearing why these books make you happy!
Fractured Fairy Tales
When you are grabbing your favorite end-of-year books, don’t forget to grab some fractured fairy tales too!
These fun books can lead to a fun, time-filling, super educational collaborative project! Win-Win!
We know that great read-alouds and collaborative opportunities can make learning fun (read Simple Ways to Make K-2 Learning Fun). When you combine the two, you really have a formula for success.
Read several fractured fairy tales, like Ninja Red Riding Hood or Bubba the Cowboy Prince. Then let students work together to create their own fractured fairy tale. Incorporate art by extending the project to include puppets!
Students will enjoy working together to write a fractured fairy tale. If they create puppets, they could then perform a puppet show. This project can be as simple or as elaborate as you want. The main point is that students will be occupied with a meaningful project.
Games
Games are another great way to make learning fun. Games are the perfect way to review skills and provide meaningful practice.
The end of the year is the perfect time to use summer-themed gameboards, like these summer-themed Roll and Spin Math Games.
You also could let your students create their own games! This project is a wonderful way to incorporate higher-order thinking skills.
You could let students work alone or with others for more collaborative learning opportunities. Give students a topic or skill and let them create a review game for their classmates. Once they have created the game, they could teach their classmates how to play. You could then have game time!
If creating an entire gameboard is a little too challenging, you may prefer to give them an open-ended gameboard and let them make the game cards.
Fun Themes
Plan a fun learning theme for the last few weeks. One of my favorite themes for thriving and surviving the last few weeks in an elementary classroom is an ice cream theme!!!
First, grab those read-alouds! Curious About Ice Cream is a great nonfiction option, while you can’t go wrong with Splat the Cat: I Scream for Ice Cream or Curious George and the Ice Cream Surprise for fictional options.
Then, plan fun ice cream math. Students can graph their favorite flavors or ice cream preferences (cone vs. bowl). Students could solve ice cream word problems.
Next, throw in some art and writing. Have students create a brand new flavor. They could write a recipe or design ads for their new flavor. Of course, they must draw a picture of their new creation first.
Finally, celebrate with some actual ice cream. What a fun treat for the end of the year!
Memory Books
Students may be feeling excited but they also may be sad that the school year is coming to an end. Incorporate activities that give them a chance to work through these end-of-year emotions.
One idea is to let students work on a memory book during the last few weeks of school.
Memory books are a great way to practice writing skills. They also give students time to reflect on their growth and to capture their favorite moments.
Learning in Wonderland has a great memory book that is perfect for early elementary students. This memory book has a Spanish version and comes with yearly updates.
Class Awards
Have an awards day to celebrate the end of the year.
I always made sure to create a specific award for each student. Although I always chose the award, I know some teachers let the students vote on awards for their classmates. Some of my awards included Super Scientist, Computer Whiz, and Wonderful Writer.
If you are having difficulty thinking of awards, FishyRobb has excellent options. Her set has so many choices that you are bound to find the perfect award for each student.
At my awards ceremony, I always shared a tear-producing video that featured pictures from the year and meaningful music, like Taylor Swift’s Never Grow Up and Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World. I then gave each student a copy of the DVD.
Conclusion
The end of the year can be chaotic, exhausting, frustrating, and wonderful. You just need to incorporate some simple ideas and projects that can help you thrive in the last few weeks in your early elementary classroom.