We are involved in some super fun hands-on units including an engineering unit using K'Nex, a fantastic economics simulation called "Biz World" (see my blog for several posts about what that involves--it is worth checking out their website!), and reflecting back on the reading and writing we have done. It really is wonderful to see how much my fourth graders have learned and how much they have grown as people and as learners. The end of the year is bitter sweet for me and usually involves tears! I send my students out the door with a hug, a handshake, or a high five--and then our entire staff lines up along the sidewalk to wave goodbye as the buses pull away (90% of our students are bussed). It is a really neat tradition we started when we opened five years ago. I teach in a K-4 building, so once they leave the safety of my classroom--I feel like I am sending them to the "real world" never to be seen again! It really is a grieving process for me . . .
One thing I do like to do is throw a little taste of summer into my last weeks by doing a few "end of year" activities including making my math word problems have an "end of year" flair, we do a writing project that becomes a bulletin board for my next year's students, and a few other "extras" that keep things interesting!
For me, I have one foot in this year as I mourn the departure of another group of students, but I have the other foot deep into my planning and ideas for next year! I LOVE to start gathering my new ideas and creating my plan for next year. There really is something unique about our profession with this beginning and ending cycle.
If you are looking for a FREEBIE checklist to organize your thoughts for the summer, check out a little "to do" list I made to keep myself organized! From books I want to read, to units I want to plan, to supplies I need to buy--this quick and easy (and editable!) document can be used to keep all YOUR ideas in one place.
For those of your grasping at straws for some things to do, here is one of my favorite end of year products--and there are a few more in my store if you are lookin'! My students have turned into QUITE the problem solvers, and I plan on having them work on some of these problems right up until the very end!
I wish each and every one of you the best for your last days of school--and if you are already finished, try NOT to rub it in too much!
or find me on Twitter at @FourthGrStudio
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