End
of the Year Activities for Any Class
Testing
is wrapping up, students have been anxious to be outside as the weather gets
warmer, and we are looking to the final days of school… How about some fun
activities that engage students in reflection on their year, and help them
prepare for summer?
Let
the kids teach the class.
Split
the class into groups and assign each a specific topic you studied this year.
Give them time to go over their topic and invent a good review activity or game,
which they lead the class in playing.
Have
students write a children’s book.
Have
students create a story or create a nonfiction book about what they
learned. Students write the book
and then draw the illustrations.
Host
a talk show or “expert” symposium.
Students
have expertise they can share with each other: Hobbies, sports, cultural traditions, etc. Brainstorm categories with the
students, then have them sign up for their expert group. Then, host days for the panels to share
their knowledge or teach a skill to the rest of the class.
Create
a class scrapbook.
Let
each student make a page. Offer some prompts (My favorite book we read…/The
best experiment we did in Science…/One thing I learned about myself this year…)
and encourage students to include favorite class memories. Supplement with
photos of students, the classroom, or class activities.
Have
students write letters to themselves.
Ask
your students to write themselves a letter, reviewing the year and making
“resolutions” for the next school year. Give them some prompts to write about:
one thing they are proud of from this year, one thing they would like to do
differently next year, one thing they want to remember, and so on. You can
either mail these letters to your students in the middle of the summer so they
have a reminder of their goals before the fall.
Ask
students to write letters to your future students.
Have
your current students write letters of advice for the new students you will
teach next year. What advice would they give on how to “survive” or do well in
your classroom? What are the hardest parts of the course? Note – if you have
any special traditions or “surprise” activities you don’t want students to
spoil, make sure to tell them ahead of time.
Invite
students to evaluate the course.
For
older students, evaluating the course can be valuable on many levels. They may
surprise you with their assessments of their own contributions and may have
some good suggestions for ways to revise the course. Even better, you’re
providing a good model for them, showing everyone can benefit from constructive
feedback and all of us have things to learn.
Go
outside.
As
the weather warms up, find a way to teach outside. Students can explore nature
using math or science skills or write a poem about the weather. Got an activity
that is messy or noisy? Doing it on the field is a great way to enjoy spring.
Do
some good for the world.
Take
this time to get involved with a cause that is meaningful to you or your
students: Students can pick up
trash, help clean up the hallways, lockers, and locker rooms, take posters off
the walls around the building, assist with cleaning under tables and desks,
collect recyclable, volunteer in other classrooms, write letters to government
leaders, organize fundraisers, or create pamphlets or flyers addressing a particular
issue. Possibilities are endless.
Have
a great end to the school year!
Enjoy those last days with your students and well deserved summer!