You did it, friend! You've worked so hard this year and you've almost made it to the end. But now there's one big question left...
How do I keep these kids busy until the last day of school?
Today I'm sharing TWENTY activities that would be perfect for these last days of school. Many of these I've used myself and I can testify that they work! These activities will entertain your students and they won't even notice they're still learning.
Explore the list below of the BEST activities for the end of the school year. Let me know in the comments what I’ve missed and which are your favorite!
End-of-the Year Activities You Can't Miss:
1. Reflect on Content YOU Enjoy
This is a great time to think about YOUR interests and teach something YOU love. Your students will thrive on your enthusiasm and want to know more. For example, I love to travel! A few years ago I wrote this geography unit to share this hobby with my students. I used it after testing for a fun, educational unit. 
2. Reflect on Content THEY Enjoy
Flip the previous idea and think about your students' interests and teach something they love. What did they find especially interesting this year that you can study deeper? For example, one year my students LOVED learning about the Cold War. We completed these PowerPoint activities of the causes and effects of the Cold War. But then we had to move on. After testing, I circled back around and went more in depth with this picture book study!
<<PS: If you like this idea, find a list of social studies novels HERE that your could use as a read aloud!>>
3. Book Clubs
Use these weeks to emphasize choice and collaboration! Students will love the opportunity to read books independently or in small groups. If you'd like to see how I organize book clubs, download my FREE Book Club Planning Guide here.
If you'd like even more guidance, check out my book club bundles on TpT! You'll especially love this bundle of inclusive texts.
Plan a movie day where students watch a favorite film together, providing popcorn and snacks for a cozy end-of-year celebration. Bonus points if you watch the movie adaptation of a novel you've read this year!
If you'd like to make this even more effective, add one of my ELA aligned movie guides! These guides allow students to practice ELA skills while watching the movie. By the time they're done, they've practiced sequencing, characterization, quoting, summarizing, compare/contrast, making connections, and more! I have dozens of movies available, but you can check out my best seller here: The One and Only Ivan Movie Guide
5. Literacy Day: Full Day Lessons
Have you ever hosted a literacy day? They are SO much fun! With my classes, I choose a picture book and plan an entire day around it. Thats a lesson for reading, writing, math, science, social studies (and sometimes a craft) ALL based on one book. Your students will know this book so well by the end of the day!
To make it even easier for you, I have lots of plans ready to go for you! Check out my full list of available books here. Or you can check out my most popular plans for 'Henry's Freedom Box' here! 
6. Writing Showcase
Showcase your students' best pieces of writing and host a writing showcase where students present and discuss their work with peers and guests.
If you need some inspiration for unique writing units, check these out! I've created writing mini-units for lots of fun genres. These are perfect to get your students motivated at the end of the year. 
7. Poetry Slam
Organize a poetry slam event where students perform original poems or recite classic poems. If you need help getting started, check out this 4 day poetry unit to introduce different genres and guide students to write their own! 
8. Memory Book
Have students create a memory book reflecting on their favorite moments throughout the school year, including photos, drawings, and written reflections. If you need a starting point, download this FREE end of the year writing for any grade level.
9. STEM Challenge Day
Host a STEM challenge day with hands-on activities and engineering challenges such as building bridges, designing roller coasters, or constructing solar ovens.
10. Genius Hour Presentations
Implement a Genius Hour project where students explore a topic of their choice through independent research and inquiry. End this with presentations to share their findings with the class.
11. Science Fair
Guide students to investigate the world around them and experiment! Then host a science fair where students showcase their findings.
12. Research Symposium
Similar to a science fair, but research based! Lead students to research a topic of interest in-depth. Then arrange a research symposium where they present their findings.
13. Historical Reenactments
Organize a living history exhibit where students research and portray figures from a specific time period.
14. Mock Trial
Organize a mock trial where students role-play as lawyers, witnesses, and jurors to enact a courtroom drama. For relevance, you can base your trial on a historical event or literary text you've already studied!
15. Debate Tournament
Organize a debate tournament where students research and present arguments on various topics of interest. They'll practice public speaking, critical thinking, and research skills!
16. Math Project-Based Learning
Plan a math project-based learning unit where students collaborate on real-world math projects. Consider creating a budget for a fictional trip, analyzing data from a survey, or creating a scale model of a city.
17. Talent Show
Host a talent show where students can showcase their talents, whether it's singing, dancing, magic tricks, or comedy routines. This will foster classroom community, confidence, and creativity!
18. Community Service Project
Engage students in a community service project such as cleaning up a local park, organizing a donation drive for a food bank, or writing letters to soldiers or nursing home residents.
19. Community Art Project
Collaborate on a community art project such as a mural, painted bench, rock display, etc. Allow students to design and carry out the beautification project on their own!
20. Classroom Awards Ceremony
Hold a classroom awards ceremony where each student receives a personalized certificate. Students can assist by creating the award categories, making nominations, and voting on winners.
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