All of these ideas are from teachers.net
Last year, I made up a survey asking kids what their
favorites were for the year. Some of the questions included
Favorite Read-Aloud, Favorite Project, Favorite Class
Party, Favorite Literature Circle Book, etc. Once they all
voted, I put them in groups and made each group in charge
of tallying the votes for one category and making a poster
to show their results (had to include a graph of some
sort). It reviews some math skills and keeps 'em busy when
you're trying to get things done!
We also did an activity where each student decorates
the front of a paper "T-shirt." They put their name across
the front, draw a picture to represent one thing they're
good at on the left sleeve, draw a picture to represent
what they want to be when they grow up on the right sleeve,
and then decorate the rest however they want. Then, we pass
them around the room and everyone writes something nice on
the back of each person's T-shirt, so when they get it back
it's full of compliments. (I send home a list of everyone's
names and make it their homework assignment the week before
to think of a sincere, original compliment--not, "you're
nice"--for each classmate so they're prepared to do this
activity).
Posted by Kathy4SC on 5/14/05
If you have access to computers, one year I had the class
make their yearbook using PowerPoint. All it took was a
couple of mini-lessons on how to copy and insert pictures
and text. Each kid had their own page. I took a digital
picture of them and each kid had their picture and wrote a
paragraph to go with it. Once everyone had theirs done, I
put them all together in one book and duplicated them so
each would get a copy.
Posted by J on 5/15/05
I have my kids write a letter to next year's students, so my
new students will have something on their desk to read when
they walk in the door on the first day. I tell them to keep the letter positive and we brainstorm some things they might want to include- field trips, fun activities,
etc.
Posted by Ronnie on 5/15/05
I take a photo of each of my kids and stick it to a piece of
construction paper with the writing: ______(name) is special
because..... Then we put them on tables and each kid in class goes
to every one and writes why they are special. Kids love and
treasure them!
Posted by jksd on 5/15/05
My class made time capsules at the beginning of the school
year. We will dig them up on the last day and look at them.
We will also complete the same interest inventory that we
completed on the first day of school and then compare to see
how we have changed.
We will have root beer floats and celebrate.
We will go outside and play kickball.
We have an auction on the last day of school also.
Posted by Allison on 5/16/05
I have each of my students create a little book about me...the
teacher... I treasure these so much because the kids say the nicest
things I treasure these so much because the kids say the nicest
things...some things I know they would never just tell me...but they
will write it if I give them a chance...some things I know they would never just tell me...but they
will write it if I give them a chance.