Enjoy some extra time this spring as you try out some of these end-of-the-year projects and activities that are specifically chosen for exhausted teachers!
Ugh… I’m so tired.
After an entire year of planning, preparing, prepping, and printing, the year is just about over, and the summer can’t get here fast enough.
As we near the end of the year, the testing is done, the skills are taught, and we are in practice and review mode.
Although the work for this year is done, at the end of the year, teachers have plenty of other ‘stuff’ that still needs to get done.
We need to pack up items, sort through materials, test markers, reassess the activities and assessments from the last year to start to make decisions about what to keep and what to change, and we need to pack up our rooms for the summer, and that is only beginning to scratch the surface.
It is a long list.
People outside the classroom don’t understand the amount of work associated with the end of the school year.
But we know it is both the end… and the beginning, and that makes for a really long to-do list.
That’s why this post isn’t about adding to that to-do list. Rather, it is about giving you time to check some items off of it.
A good teacher knows how to be efficient, and planning end-of-the-year projects and activities that will keep students thinking and working independently can free up some time to allow the exhausted teacher to get some work done.
End-of-the-Year Projects and Activities for the Exhausted Teacher
#1 | End-of-Year Reflections
These End-of-Year Reflection Task Cards are great for gathering input from students and giving you valuable feedback, and it is an activity that will take very little time for you to implement.
Each task card asks students to answer a question about their year and reflect on both personal and educational events and situations. This end-of-the-year activity is great for thinking back while we look forward!
Learn more about the End-of-Year Task Cards and the ways to use them in this blog post!!
#2 | Take students outside more
Luckily, with the end of the year comes warmer weather, so get those kiddos outside. Do scavenger hunts, hunt for eggs, and play Task Card Hopscotch. It doesn’t matter what it is, but the fresh air will help bring up everyone’s spirits… including yours!
#3 | Watch a Movie
Yep, I’m going to say it. Sometimes you just need to sit down and watch a movie. There are so many great videos you can watch with kids that will allow them to observe great leadership and/or motifs in action. When the learning is done, and the skills are taught, it is okay to take some time to do things like watch a movie.
These next couple of end-of-the-year projects and activities give students some time to create something new or work on their own.
#4 | Write letters to next year’s students
In this first one, students will reflect on their year and write letters to next year’s students.
Not only are students able to complete this activity independently, but it’s also fun to see how they ‘prepare’ your future students.
#5 | End-of-Year Project: Create a Country Activity
I love this project, and the students love it too!
While working on this end-of-the-year project, students will create their own country from the location down to the colors of the flag and the language they speak.
This Create a Country project gives students a chance to be creative while also considering all the details that make up a country and how those qualities speak to the country’s values.
#6 | End of Year Project: Create-Your-Own Review Game (with FREE Workbook) & then have a game day or two
If you’re like me and you use a lot of games in your classroom, then it may be time for the students to create their own games!
This end-of-the-year project is a blast, and kids get so creative and thoughtful as they plan out exactly how their game will work.
Don’t worry, Exhausted Teacher. We will not leave you to figure this project out on your own! We have a whole resource devoted to this project called Create-Your-Own Review Game. It comes with a free workbook, game templates, and more!!
Don’t forget to plan a few game-playing days after the project is done!!
#7 | Memory Books
We’ve written about End-of-Year Memory Books before, and we have an awesome, highly visual resource that makes this project a breeze.
The End-of-Year Memory Book resource will walk students through a creative reflection on their year, including information about their teacher and friends, important events from the year, and even random facts.
These memory books come in a couple of different themes, so you can pick the one that you think your students will relate to best!
Hopefully, in this list of end-of-the-year projects and activities, you will find something that feels manageable and fun for both you and your students this spring!
Remember, it’s never bad to give yourself more time to get things done!
Happy Spring!
