I can't believe it, but summer is ALMOST here! We get out earlier than usual this year on May 24th! However, we do go back mid August. I have already begun cleaning out my classroom because I have to move to another hallway. I have been saying all year, “I can't wait to purge!!!” I have a bunch of things that I keep thinking that I will use, but I never do! I'm so tired of things collecting dust. I'm so tired of moving things in my closet that I never use, just to get to the things I need. I'm so tired of all of that border that is just sitting in my drawer that I used once about 4 years ago! Time to clean out, donate, and start thinking about summer!
As we move into the summer, I have a few things that I do at the end of every year that my kids LOVE. The first one is my A to Z Countdown! The kids get SO excited about this! For the last 26 days of school, we have something special each day! We begin with the letter A and end on the letter Z. My coworker told me that they used to do something like this at her old school, and I LOVED the idea! I got to searching on TpT for something like this, but was unable to find it. So, I had to create something, of course! When I sit down to plan this, I always grab my school instructional calendar. I begin on the last day of school and count back 26 days. Then, I pull out my calendar and write the dates down. I have a letter that I send to parents and a display that I put up on my board. There are activities like Minute to Win it Games, Pajama Day, and Year End Picnic! Each day, we cross off one square and this leads us one day closer to summer!
Another thing that I do at the end of the school year is a VIP Table. The end of the year is crazy, am I right? Kids start getting that “summer itch” and so do we! To help with this, I set up a VIP table so that my kids have something to work toward. I tell the kids that the same person can be chosen more than once, but I really like to let everyone have a turn. Even “Johnny” who is normally a little stinker should hopefully have a good day during one of those last 26 days of school! LOL! Because I start this on the same day as my A to Z Countdown, there will be a few kids that get to go a second time. But, it is the kids that truly deserve it! When the students get to be a VIP, they feel like royalty!
Before I get my VIP Table going, I make a trip to the Dollar Store, Target, and Walmart. I stock up on things like smelly markers, crowns, candy, new pencils, notepads, fun coloring books, etc. I want to make this an inviting place that kids want to go! I purchased the frames above at Dollar Tree and put my VIP signs in them. I laminated my VIP tags and signs. I also copied my VIP activity booklet, which the kids LOVE. It has all kinds of fun word searches and mystery messages! The students are ELATED when they get to be the VIP, and they even get special privileges like no morning work and being first in line! I have a switch class, so I pick one student from each class per day. It has worked very well. All I have to do is remind my kids, “Hmmmm….who is showing me VIP behavior?” Is that bribery…I think not!
On the last day of school before summer break, I “gift” my students with a fun pen or pencil and this cute summer fun, no prep, End of Year Fun booklet. This keeps them busy for those couple of hours between lunch and recess and dismissal. (We have early dismissal on the last day!) I let them take their shoes off and work around the room with a partner. But first, they have to help me move all the desks and chairs to the wall (so I don't have to after school)! Then, they get this big, huge area in the middle of the room to work, which they think is so cool! It is cool for me too because I get to clean up around my room and write thank you notes while they work on the packet! Yipee! Check out my FREEBIE and my FULL packet by clicking on the covers below!
Once all of the kids are packed and stacked and we are ready for our last countdown letter “Zip Up and Zoom Out”, I hand them their envelope with their report card, a few snapshots from the year, and an End of the Year Certificate. They are under strict orders to not open it until they get home! Then, we have our tearful goodbyes and they are off for summer! Tag parents…you're it! No, seriously though, every year I say I won't get emotional, but I really do miss them (well, most of them) once they are gone.
I know we all work so hard! Teaching is the hardest job on earth, I'm convinced! And if anyone says otherwise, list ALL of the hats you wear as a teacher…there are like 100 of them for sure! From nurse, to therapist, to janitor, to curriculum designer, and the list goes on and on!
Click HERE to enter the GIVEAWAY!
To say thank you for ALL you do, teachers, and to get you all stocked up for summer, we are giving away 5 $25 Amazon gift cards! Who doesn't love Amazon!? You know you need some beach towels and some new flip flops! Be sure to enter the Raffle to win and tell your friends! Winners will be chosen on May 23rd! I hope you have a wonderful summer everyone! It is well deserved!
