End of the Year Activities for Any Class

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!