How to End the Year on a Positive Note
You made it to the end of the school year with your students - it’s time to celebrate for sure.
It’s also time to focus on ending this year on a positive note. Make the last memories of this school year good ones for you and your students.
I have some tips and resources that will help you do just that. They are easy to implement, involve little to no prep, and will put smiles on the faces of you and your students.
5 Ways to End the Year on a Positive Note
1. Stay in the moment - no matter how long your to-do list is
I know. Your end of the school year to-do list is filled with need-to-get-dones, want-to-get-dones, and absolutely-have-to-get-dones.
It feels like there’s not enough time to finish everything on your list.
Just remember - your time with this class, with these students, is almost over. Each year has its own personality and your relationship with each student is unique. Don’t be so busy you forget to be present with them as the year comes to a close.
All the things that have to get done will - the papers will get filed, the classroom will get packed. But there’s only so much time left with those little humans. And many of them are dreading the day they say goodbye to you.
So soak up as much as you can while there’s still time. You’ll be glad you did.
2. Capture memories from the year in Memory books
This is the time for students to remember what they learned and how they’ve grown. To think about their favorite book they read in literature circles, the day they conquered their hesitancy over writing, and that new friend they made.
They’ll love seeing how much they’ve grown as students this year and how much they overcame to do it. While your students are working on their memory books, consider making one of your own.
Want a no-prep memory book resource to use with your students? I have two your students will love. Click here to find both.
3. Recognize (and celebrate) this school year’s accomplishments
Have you taken the time to think about all you accomplished this year? No doubt you faced challenges and obstacles different than in any other year of teaching.
Take a moment to recognize and celebrate what you achieved.
List five wins you had this year.
Think of a challenge you faced - and conquered.
List at least five wins your students had this year because of you.
Celebrate the accomplishments of those people who journeyed through this school year with you.
Guide students through their own lists of wins and challenges faced.
Give positive feedback and encouragement to staff members and admin who faced their own challenges this year.
Thank your team - especially those without whom you can’t imagine teaching without. Download these ready to go note templates to make it as simple as possible.
4. Focus on Kindness
It’s easy for students to spend time thinking about and talking about what went wrong. A slight from a friend, whether real or imagined. A game on the playground that didn’t go their way. A homework assignment forgotten at home.
Instead, help them remember times someone was kind to them. A classmate, a teacher or staff member, a family member. There is kindness to be found in every day.
I love working with students as they remember kindness that was shown to them. They get excited and feel the effects of the kind gesture all over again. And when they thank the person who was kind, that feeling continues. Talk about keeping things positive!
My Kindness Writing Activities are a great, low-prep way to guide students as they remember and recognize kindness that was shown to them in school or in their community. Find monthly kits here.
5. Exchange letters with your students
Some students like to talk.
No kidding, right?
Other students aren’t as comfortable expressing themselves verbally. I’ve used letter writing with students who had behavioral or emotional challenges in the classroom with great results.
The end of the year is another great time to write letters to your students. Take this time to share memories of the year, things they accomplished that made you so proud, challenges they overcame.
And encourage your students to write back, sharing what was special to them about this school year. I bet you’ll be surprised at what you read.
You can use my Letters to My Teacher resource in so many ways throughout the year. Exchanging end of the year letters with your students is just one of them. Find digital and printable versions here.
Final thoughts…
The end of the school year brings stress, exhaustion, and endless to-dos. It can also bring joy and positivity. I hope these tips and strategies will help you end your year on a positive note.
Ending your school year on a positive note has to include organizing your classroom. There’s no getting around it. Getting it ready for summer vacation, but also ready for next year.
Check out this post where I give you six easy steps to follow that will make all the difference.
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