You’ve spent all year getting to know your students, and now is the time to celebrate those relationships and keep growing them. Here are a few ideas to spark ideas for ways to energize or put a twist on your finish to the school year!
What if you have them write a letter to themselves that you can mail back to them in a year or five or ten?
Now is also a good time to communicate one last time with parents. What if you called the parents of every student and told them how much you enjoyed having their children as your students? It will create a memory that will last a lifetime - for the student and the parent.
Be intentional about praise. What if you wrote a short note to each student, praising them for at least one thing you observed/appreciated while they were your student?
What if you took your students on a field trip in your own school?
Since February, I’ve been helping a long-term sub with our Foods & Nutrition classes. Recently, as part of their learning about the National School Lunch Program, they got to visit the cafeteria and learn alongside the lunchroom staff. Talk about making memories!
Give students time to reflect on their school year. What if you ask them how they want to reflect? It will look different at different levels - it may be in the form of a feedback survey, an art project, a thank you card, or a _______… the sky’s the limit when you open it up to students’ imaginations!
Use flipgrid to talk to the future. What if students recorded a message your students for the next year? Maybe they could each share 1 - 3 tips for being successful in the class? What a neat treat for the kids in the fall to hear from former students and their suggestions for success!
Whatever you choose, continue to build on students' strengths as well as your own. The last month of school can be the most meaningful and impactful time for you and your students.
Enjoy the time you have left with them, and share your excitement and adventures on social media by using the #lastbell hashtag!
Previous years' #lastbell posts
2017
2016