Struggling to come up with meaningful, purposeful, or engaging activities for the last week or two of school? Check out these 3 ideas to help you to figure out exactly what to do! Keep your kids learning even when state tests are done and the school year is wrapping up.
One thing I ask myself when trying to come up with plans for my classes after state testing is, “what is something I’ve wanted to do all year but felt like I didn’t have time for?” Usually I come up with things like logic and critical thinking activities, student choice projects, and reflection activities.
1. Write a letter to incoming students
This no prep activity incorporates an important skill, letter writing, with a meaningful activity that takes you into next year! Have your current students write encouraging letters to your incoming students. First, teach them the basics of letter writing. That includes a greeting (like Dear 4th Grader,), body paragraphs, and a closing (like Sincerely, _______). Then, let them use their thoughts and experiences from the school year to write a note! Make sure that they focus on positive and encouraging messages. Hold on to these to give you new students at the beginning of next school year! Your incoming students will love this.
2. Passion Projects
I LOVE passion projects. As a teacher of Gifted students, I know how powerful and important it is to give students opportunities to explore topics of interest. The passion project provides you with two full weeks of activities that guide your students through the entire process. They select a topic, conduct research, and then create a product that shows their new knowledge. Grab this no prep digital project by clicking on the image below!
3. Vision Board and Career Exploration
We don’t always have time during the year to really dive into dreaming about our future, or learning about careers er might be interested in. However, I think it’s so important for students to have this opportunity. By creating a vision for their future, students will find a purpose and direction – it may also motivate them to work harder so they can achieve their dreams.
I put together a no prep Google Slides project to provide some structure for this activity! Students create a vision board, do some research on a career of interest, then research about the required education. Lastly, students will identify a word or phrase that describes their future! It’s super fun and engaging, and also makes for a great end of year project to share with families. Click the picture below to grab this for yourself!
Bonus Idea! Have students become the teacher
This is a really fun one! Give your students one or two class periods to prepare a presentation or activity to do with the class on a topic of their interest. Then, over the following few days students will each get a turn teaching the class or leading their activity! Not only is this fun, exciting, and engaging for the students – but it takes the lesson and activity planning off your plate for a few days! That’s a win-win!
At the end of the day, have fun with it! Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and your students. Just enjoy the last little bit of time you have with your students, and fit in some meaningful activities when you get the chance!
Happy almost summer!
