If you’re wondering what to do with students at the end of the year, then look no further. This post is full of grab-and-go resources that you can use for upper elementary end-of-the-year or summer school activities!
Do you ever get to the end of the year and stare blankly at the last two weeks on the calendar, wondering how on earth you’re going to keep your students in school mode for two more weeks?
Not to mention your state of sheer exhaustion.
Let’s be honest. It is a tough time of the year.
Testing season is over, so all the essential skills have been taught.
The weather is getting warmer, so students are feeling the fidgets and giddy-ups more than usual.
And, since they (and you) are spending more time outside, you’re all more tired, too.
That is why having some easy-to-implement end of year and summer-themed activities ready to go is so helpful.
Selecting Activities for the End of the Year
When you’re looking for ideas of what to do with your students at the end of the year, selecting a variety of independent activities will help students stay more focused. It may even give you an opportunity to put some checkmarks on your own end-of-year to-do list!
Find a good mix of digital, no-prep activities. There are several on this list that fit well. You’ll also want to choose activities that cover skills they’ve been working on throughout the year, or ones that will preview the next year. Find activities and projects that are challenging and will take students a little bit of time to work through.
In addition to digital, no-prep activities, you may also want to include a few hands-on activities.
This may mean doing an escape-room style project, having students make their own projects, or even taking an activity that would typically be ‘indoors,’ outdoors.
These end-of-the-year plays can be a lot of fun!
This is a good time of the year to be creative, since students are already good-to-go on the curriculum work for the year.
Now it’s just time to have some fun, review, and prepare for the summer.
7 Resources for the End of School Year and Summer
Mix and match the perfect resources that represent summer, since we all know it’s coming! Feel secure knowing that your students are getting some solid educational work, even in the final weeks of school.
Here are some end-of-year and summer-themed resources to consider as you’re figuring out what to do with students at the end of the year.
#1 | Summer Reading Skills Digital Jigsaw
Explore all those reading skills you’ve been practicing all year with these fun digital jigsaw puzzles. Students will earn puzzle pieces as they answer reading skill questions. Since these puzzles cover a variety of skills, students will stay engaged, and it should be an enjoyable challenge.
#2 | Summer Digital Escape Tale
Students will practice math skills in a unique way as they try to escape obstacles and unlock each part of the activity.
This Summer Digital Escape Tales activity is perfect for the months of June, July, and August, as this activity is full of surfboards and summer themes!
#3 | Build a Tree House: Summer 2-Step Math Word Problems
Practice a few 2-step word problems at the end of the year with this activity, where students earn the different pieces to build their digital tree house. This activity is easy to implement, comes in three different levels to allow for differentiation, and can be completed independently by students–the perfect situation for a teacher who needs a little time to work on other things at the end of the year.
#4 | Summer Digital Puzzles
These digital puzzles will make students think as they figure out how to solve each puzzle.
Digital Summer Puzzles are a great way to motivate students to think critically. The puzzles are challenging but fun!
Students have to study the seasonal images and determine the value of each image based on the values provided. They will need to add, subtract, multiply, and divide and use logical thinking and visual discrimination skills.
These puzzles can be challenging, which may be a nice change for the end of the year when students are doing mostly review.
The four above resources are available in a money-saving bundle you can grab by clicking HERE!
#5 | End of the School Year Lockbox Challenge (Save Summer Break!)
If you want something hands-on and are willing to do a little prep work, then this lockbox activity is one you’ll want to add to your end-of-year repertoire.
Students will work to save summer break while solving problems, answering questions, and figuring out how to unlock every obstacle that stands in their way.
#6 | End of the School Year Envelope Accordion Book
The End-of-Year Envelope Accordion Book is a fun play on the typical memory book of old.
Students use the envelope accordion book to think back on their year and document the pieces that made this year great!
#7 | Summer Puzzle of the Day Activities
Lastly, we have 3 summer Puzzle of the Day activities you can share with students.
These are fun daily activities for students. Each day is completely different from the last. With their summer themes and the daily changes, students will work hard to solve each puzzle.
With so many end-of-year activities and resources to choose from, trying to figure out what to do with your students at the end of the year (and even into the summer) could not be easier.
When you’re looking for ideas of what to do with your students toward the end of the school year, don’t be afraid to mix and match these resources to make a full two weeks of easy-to-implement lesson plans!
