Finishing Strong in Elementary School

Teachers can make the end of the school year memorable for students by focusing on activities that reinforce the connections between them.

By Wendy Turner

May 21, 2024

Edutopia

In the article "Finishing Strong in Elementary School," Wendy Turner offers strategies for teachers to make the end of the school year memorable and meaningful for students. She emphasizes focusing on collaboration, creativity, connection, and closure to help students navigate the complex emotions that arise during this transition period.

### Collaboration
Turner suggests engaging students in collaborative projects, such as creating homemade arcade games inspired by Caine's Arcade. This project encourages teamwork and allows students to practice social and emotional skills like listening, compromising, and managing project-related challenges. Students work together using recycled materials to design and build arcade games, which they can later share with other classes, school staff, and families. This fosters a sense of community and accomplishment.

### Creativity
Creative projects stimulate brain activity and allow students to express themselves. Turner recommends having students create their own check-in charts themed around their interests, such as animals, games, or celebrities. Another engaging activity is designing "Which One Doesn’t Belong?" puzzles, which can be used across various subjects to spark discussion and critical thinking. Additionally, students can create themed "four corners" games or math mashup puzzles to enhance their problem-solving skills. These projects not only engage students but also provide resources that can be reused in future lessons.

### Connection
Building connections with peers and students from different cultures enriches the learning experience. Turner shares her experience using Empatico, an online platform that connects classrooms around the world. Her class exchanged letters with a class in São Paulo, Brazil, which led to joyful interactions and cultural learning. Students can also create introduction videos on Flip, fostering global connections and understanding. Such activities keep students engaged and enthusiastic, even towards the end of the school year.

### Closure
Providing a sense of closure is crucial for helping students transition smoothly to summer. Turner offers several ideas:
1. **Visual Year-End Projects**: Students create visual representations of the year using photos and captions, which can take the form of timelines, collages, or creative displays.
2. **Letters to Future Students**: Students write letters to incoming students, sharing advice and favorite memories. This activity also provides valuable feedback for the teacher.
3. **Trivia Games**: Using facts about classmates, teachers can create trivia games on platforms like Kahoot or Blooket, making the last days fun and interactive.
4. **Themed Days**: Scheduling special themed days, such as reading outdoors, talent shows, or board game days, gives students something to look forward to and makes the final week memorable.
5. **Celebrations and Counting Up**: Instead of counting down, Turner suggests counting up to the last day of school to celebrate achievements and positive experiences, making the end of the year feel inclusive and celebratory for all students.

By focusing on these areas, teachers can help students end the school year on a positive note, ensuring that their final memories of the classroom are filled with joy, creativity, and connection.

Source: Turner, W. (2024, May 21). Finishing Strong in Elementary School. *Edutopia*. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/finishing-strong-elementary-school

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com