Hang in there, there's a light at the end of the tunnel!
Don't let the craziness get you down. You can always enjoy the last day!
This is the 5th step of 7 strategies to a Happy Last Day of School.
You can read about Step One here: Read Your Favorite Book.
You can read about Step Two here: Leave Out a Few Favorite Games
You can read about Step Four here: Keep Out a Handful of Whiteboards, Markers, and Erasers.
I've always felt that reading is the most important thing we do in school, and I make it very clear that each student do some reading each and every day. Step one was all about reading to the children, but this step is all about having the children do the reading. Here are some ideas:
1. Leave out a few of their favorite books. I know, you've packed most of them, but let them enjoy their favorites for the last time. I pack my chapter books up about a week before the end of the year, since they won't have time to finish them. But I keep out those favorites. Here's another advantage: those favorites might just be the first ones you unpack in the fall!
2. Provide an End-Of-Year Memory Book. I know, who has time for this during this crazy time of year? Well, I always make the time for this, since it's something they'll keep forever. (I hope!) A couple of weeks before the end, I'll have the children write down some words about their classmates (and teachers) and their special memories from the year. I type these up and put them into a book. Yes, it's extra work, but it sure is fun to give them those books on the last day of school!
3. Give them a little something to read and take home! My students and I developed this list a couple of years ago, and I thought it was great! You can find this resource here: Summer Vacation List... So Tablets and Screens Don't Suck Out Your Brain!
I'm sure you have more ideas for making sure they do some reading on the last day!
Here's a link to Step Six:
