Summer Is Coming: Activities for the End of the School Year

Another school year is coming to an end. The air warms up and the scent of blooming linden trees drifts into the classrooms, bringing with it the call of summer. Every June, children reach this milestone, along with the teachers who have guided and educated them over the past nine months. The first weeks of June are a transitional period when the weight of the past year is felt, and attention drifts away from the blackboard: to the sunlight brightening the days, the chirping of swallows, and the afternoons spent playing with friends.

For this reason, so close to the end of lessons, it can be challenging to capture the interest of students who, like their teachers, feel the need to unwind with activities different from traditional lessons. Fortunately, the beautiful season, in addition to being a distraction, also offers endless learning opportunities. In this article, we want to suggest some ideas for teachers and educators for the end of the school year and some alternative activities for the last day of school.

Activities for the Last Days of School

• A walk in the park or in nature: If you cannot fight the distractions of good weather and nature, it’s best to give in and let children enjoy a one- or two-hour adventure outdoors. Nature is perhaps the most important school for young learners, and observing it directly helps them learn more effectively than being stuck in a classroom daydreaming.
• An outdoor lesson: If there isn’t time or possibility for a park excursion, even a lesson held in the schoolyard can be a great idea. An hour outdoors with more space allows for playful integration of lesson content, making the end of the school year lighter and more engaging.
• Pen pals: A farewell idea for the last days of school could be starting a pen pal correspondence. Children write their first letter in class and then post it. During the summer months, they can practice writing skills, cultivate a new friendship with classmates, and perhaps feel less alone while away from school.
• An outdoor picnic: Eating together is an essential part of socialisation, and for students, it’s an important sharing experience. Therefore, in good weather, a small outdoor picnic could be an excellent end-of-school activity, with each child bringing a snack to share.

A Book for the End of the School Year

Finally, reading is always a great support to slightly change the school routine. Imagine a sunny day, the shade of a tree, children sitting and listening, and a book to say goodbye before the summer holidays. What better opportunity to read a book where the teacher expresses gratitude to students for their shared year?

• Letter from Your Teacher: This end-of-school-year book is written from the teacher’s perspective, inviting the class to reflect on memories and connections made, as well as the challenges faced. The letter expresses the teacher’s pride in their students and tells them how much they will be missed. On the last day of school, students leave knowing their teacher supports them in all the exciting experiences that lie ahead. This illustrated book is also a great gift idea for teachers to give to their class, so their appreciation and love for students lasts over time.

No matter how the school year went, with its ups and downs, we hope these activities help the last weeks of school pass lightly while remaining productive. The role of the teacher or educator can be challenging, but students will appreciate your efforts to make lessons interesting with stimulating and fun activities!