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Fairies And Lesson Plans

End of the Year Ideas

April 17, 2016 by Fairies and Lesson Plans |

With the end of the year a few weeks away, I thought I’d share a few thoughts, and some great ideas that I’ve come across.

End of The Year Ideas


If you think it’s too early to start thinking about the last of the week, think again! There is SO much to do on those last few days that you can bet on being exhausted. Why wait until the last minute to get ready? If you can manage to plan ahead of time, your end of the year will be a breeze!

    Here are a few ideas I want to share with you!

    End of the Year Gift Idea

    Your kids will love getting these Bucket & Pail gifts from you! 

    I got the buckets for $1.00 each at the Dollar Tree. I purchased the tissue paper there as well.


    End of The Year Gift Ideas


    I asked my students to write letters to each other, and placed the letters in the buckets.


    End of The Year Gift Ideas



    I placed small items like pencils, stickers, erasers, post-its, crayons, bubbles with wands, sidewalk chalk, and little bags of chips in zip-top bags. 

    End of The Year Ideas

    The bag went in the bucket as well!

    End of The Year Ideas



    Last, I put a piece of tissue paper in the bucket.



    I tried to take the stickers out, but they started to rip so I ended up leaving them there. 


    End of The Year Ideas

    Count Down Idea

    Set the mood with a fun Count Down Cloud! 

    My Student Teacher, Ms. Acosta, made this for me as a surprise. I told her about this cute idea I had seen on Pinterest, and sure enough… she went looking for it.  She found the original post at Bright Concepts 4 Teachers. 

    End of The Year Ideas

    Ms. Acosta cut 2 pieces of large construction paper, stapled them half way, and filled the cloud with crumpled paper. Then, she finished stapling the cloud and glued the letters. Last, she added the paper links. 

    In the beginning of May, our last month of school in Georgia, we start ripping one link each day until it’s the last day. So much fun for the kids!

    Book Ideas

    Start thinking about books that talk about the end of the year. 

    One of my favorites is Last Day Blues, by Julie Danneburg. Can you tell it’s a sequel to First Day Jitters?

    The Half Full Chronicles

    Other books to consider:

    • Lizzy and the Last Day of School, by Trinka Hakes Noble
    • Last Day Horray, byNancy Poydar
    • The Night Before Summer Vacation, by Natasha Wing
    • Junnie B. Jones is a Graduation Girl, by Barbara Park
    • Oh, The Places You’ll Go, by Dr. Seuss
    • Miss Kindergarten Celebrates the Last Day of Kindergarten, by Joseph Slate
    • When it’s the Last Day of School, byMaribeth Boelts

    Activity Ideas – Watch the Video

    Start planning fun activities now! 

    I made a 1 minute video to show you some of the resources I use with my students. 

    My kids love the Scavenger Hunts we do on the last week of school!

    End of The Year Activities

    I do these as a treat at the end of the day.

    Some are done outside.

    End of The Year Activities
    Kids love working outside!

    End of The Year Activities

    Others we do inside!

    End of The Year Ideas
    I love the spelling for “Victor”.

    Final Thoughts–What
    I’ve Learned the Hard Way!

    The last thing I want to share is a lesson I learned the hard way. 

    In my experience, the worst thing you can do is to start breaking down your classroom, and straying away from your routine too soon. I now resist the temptation of cleaning up until the last couple of days… 

    Young children can get out of control very easily once their routine is gone.

    So on the last week of school, I assign Reading, Writing, and Math activities that tie in with the end of the year and the beginning of the next year.

    Here’s what I mean:


    End of The Year Activities

    End of The Year Activities

    End of The Year Activities



    These copies are made and ready to go way before that last week of school hits!

    I also plan activities that my students can carry out on their own!

    End of The Year Activities
    Students read a National Geographic Magazine with a buddy, sat in a circle, and asked and answered questions guided by one of their peers.

    As you can see, there is still structure, but the kids are in charge and having fun!

    That kind of activity frees you to work on finalizing things while your students are doing meaningful activities!


    I hope at least one of these ideas caught your eye, and that you have a fun end of the year with your students!

    By the way,

    If you’re already looking into next school year, here are 2 posts filled with tips, tricks, and FREEBIES!

    ➽Back To School Tips and Activities – Vol. 1

    ➽Back To School Tips and Activities – Vol. 2

    Filed Under: End of the Year

    Comments

    1. Forget-me-not says

      May 2, 2017 at 8:03 pm

      You are a very creative teacher=)

      • Frogs, Fairies, and Lesson Plans says

        May 18, 2017 at 8:01 pm

        I'm so glad you enjoyed this post! Thanks for chiming in 🙂

    2. Unknown says

      May 21, 2017 at 12:43 am

      Thanks for sharing. Liked the bucket idea a lot!

      • Frogs, Fairies, and Lesson Plans says

        May 22, 2017 at 11:59 am

        Hi, Ana.
        I had a great time filling those buckets, and they made our classroom look quite festive! Congrats on another school year!
        Adriana

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    Hi, I’m Adriana, a meticulous, passionate, creative being, with a love for teaching and learning. I write lessons that are simple and efficient, and make resources that are rigorous and engaging. Please enjoy this collection of ideas that I’ve used successfully over the years.

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But a week goes by, your centers are now outdated, and you have to start the process all over again. 

This is where using materials that review many math standards at a time saves you time and keeps your centers relevant!

Grab free samples of my Math Crossword Puzzles for your Math Centers for grades 1, 2, and 3. I hope they engage your students and make planning a breeze!

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    Meet my new love, Milo. Never thought I’d be int Meet my new love, Milo. Never thought I’d be into a cat as much as I’m into this little guy. He is the gentlest soul, and just what I needed to sweeten my days.
    At Hobby Lobby today. 😝 At Hobby Lobby today. 😝
    Look for my Word Work resources on TpT! Look for my Word Work resources on TpT!
    You already have Math Centers. You check your road You already have Math Centers. You check your road map to see what’s coming next, and you change the activities to reflect the standard you are teaching. 

But a week goes by, your centers are now outdated, and you have to start the process all over again. 

This is where using materials that review many math standards at a time saves you time and keeps your centers relevant!

Grab free samples of my Math Crossword Puzzles for your Math Centers for grades 1, 2, and 3. I hope they engage your students and make planning a breeze!

https://fairiesandlessonplans.com/2022/07/math-centers-for-elementary-students/

#Iteachfirst #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teacherfriends #iteachtoo #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #iteachsecond #secondgrade #tpt #teacherspayreachers #thirdgrade
    Give this Word Work resource a try! You’ll love Give this Word Work resource a try! You’ll love how it’s all planed out for you, and how quick it is to implement! You’ll teach two word families each week, and there’s a short story where the kids practice reading and finding the words you taught them. Then there are activities that they do each day of the week to reinforce the spelling patterns. If you need an assessment, that’s all set for you as well. If you need a link to either resource, let me know I’m the comments, or shoot me an email at adriana@fairiesandlessonplans.com  #iteachfirst #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teacherfriends #iteachtoo
    Getting ready to shoot new promotional materials! Getting ready to shoot new promotional materials! It takes so much trial and error, man. But it’s all worth it to show you some great resources in action. Wish me luck!🍀 #iteachfirst #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teacherfriends #iteachtoo #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #iteachsecond #secondgrade #tpt #teacherspayreachers
    Meet my new love, Milo. Never thought I’d be int Meet my new love, Milo. Never thought I’d be into a cat as much as I’m into this little guy. He is the gentlest soul, and just what I needed to sweeten my days.
    At Hobby Lobby today. 😝 At Hobby Lobby today. 😝
    Look for my Word Work resources on TpT! Look for my Word Work resources on TpT!
    You already have Math Centers. You check your road You already have Math Centers. You check your road map to see what’s coming next, and you change the activities to reflect the standard you are teaching. 

But a week goes by, your centers are now outdated, and you have to start the process all over again. 

This is where using materials that review many math standards at a time saves you time and keeps your centers relevant!

Grab free samples of my Math Crossword Puzzles for your Math Centers for grades 1, 2, and 3. I hope they engage your students and make planning a breeze!

https://fairiesandlessonplans.com/2022/07/math-centers-for-elementary-students/

#Iteachfirst #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teacherfriends #iteachtoo #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #iteachsecond #secondgrade #tpt #teacherspayreachers #thirdgrade
    Give this Word Work resource a try! You’ll love Give this Word Work resource a try! You’ll love how it’s all planed out for you, and how quick it is to implement! You’ll teach two word families each week, and there’s a short story where the kids practice reading and finding the words you taught them. Then there are activities that they do each day of the week to reinforce the spelling patterns. If you need an assessment, that’s all set for you as well. If you need a link to either resource, let me know I’m the comments, or shoot me an email at adriana@fairiesandlessonplans.com  #iteachfirst #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teacherfriends #iteachtoo
    Getting ready to shoot new promotional materials! Getting ready to shoot new promotional materials! It takes so much trial and error, man. But it’s all worth it to show you some great resources in action. Wish me luck!🍀 #iteachfirst #firstgrade #firstgradeteacher #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teacherfriends #iteachtoo #teachersofinstagram #teachersfollowteachers #iteachsecond #secondgrade #tpt #teacherspayreachers
    Meet my new love, Milo. Never thought I’d be int Meet my new love, Milo. Never thought I’d be into a cat as much as I’m into this little guy. He is the gentlest soul, and just what I needed to sweeten my days.
    At Hobby Lobby today. 😝 At Hobby Lobby today. 😝

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