Collection
Wrap Up the School Year With a Strong Finish
End of the Year Tips to Go Out With a Bang
- Grade:PreK–K, Grades 1–2, Grades 3–5, Grades 6–8
- Subject:Last Day of School, Assessment, Teacher Tips and Strategies
Introduction
As the end of the school year approaches, children and teachers are “on the countdown" to the last day of school. By June, many students are looking forward to summer and three months free of lessons and tests. And yet this may be a bittersweet time for children who will miss teachers and friends. The activities and lesson plans in this collection will help you celebrate what you’ve learned and ease any anxiety associated with the end-of-school days.
Articles
Books for the End of the School Year
This teacher-created book list is a great way to begin end of the school year preparations for the coming school year. First year teachers and new teachers will also find a wealth of resources, from organizational tools to sample lesson plans and printables.
We Are Moving on Up
Celebrate the achievements of your graduating class by making and awarding butterfly wings and other graduation goodies.
Meeting Learning Challenges: Assessing Children for End-of-the-Year Profiles
Dr. Greenspan suggests creating an end-of-the-year profile of students to give to their parents and to help their next teachers have a clear picture of the children's progress.
Transitions: Let’s Have a Discussion
Allowing students to lead a discussion about the upcoming transition from one school year to the next can help allay their fears.
Learning Up to the Very Last Minute
Offers suggestions for helping students focus in the face of end of the school year distractions. This article includes ideas such as a treasure hunt, an art exhibit, and a super subject week.
Policies & Practices: Looking Forward By Looking Back - End-Of-The-Year Assessment
April is a good time for teachers to reflect on the year that has passed, and begin to think ahead to the coming school year. Moore offers seven simple steps for successful end-of-the-year assessment for early childhood professionals.
Policies & Practices: Successful End-Of-The-Year Transitions
A first year teacher's planning and organization of end-of-the-year transitions can make for one successful year after another. Moore offers strategies to help ease the transitions for children, parents and new teachers.
Teacher Reflection Questions (Teacher Tip)
Periodic self-evaluations can help you to decide whether you're teaching as effectively as possible.
Group Time: Reflect & Connect at Group Time
Church discusses how to use group-time meeting to teach children how to observe and reflect on the past year to help prepare them for new experiences.
Collateral
Unit Plans
Wrapping Up the School Year
Features a fun end of the year project involving letters, digital photography, caption writing, and creating a year book with which to preserve memories.
Reflection
Exhibits an exercise for the last day of kindergarten. Students discuss their experience and what they've learned, as well as their expectations of first grade.
