It’s not easy to balance work and fun near the end of the school year. Our students have summer and swimming pool dreams on their minds, and ELA teachers don’t have enough instruction time to get through a new novel unit. This makes May a great month to experiment with new language arts lesson ideas.
I have created many summer-themed language arts resources that can be used in conjunction with the month of May and the end of the school year. Each lesson plan idea below focuses on common core standards while adding some seasonal fun to your instruction! These are my favorite ELA end of the year activities for middle school and upper elementary students.
Memorial Day Reader’s Theater for Middle School Grades
If you are looking for a fun and purposeful idea to keep your students reading through the very last day of school, this reader’s theater and close reading toolkit is the perfect resource to keep your students both engaged and inspired! The story follows the students at Monroe Street School as they face a challenge from the town’s mayor. This leads to them realizing that Memorial Day is more than just the end of the school year and a day for the community pool to open.
See full description on TPT.
Last Day Blues Reader’s Theater for Middle School
Mrs. Hartwell’s students are worried about how sad she is going to be once school is over. They work together to come up with the perfect gift to cheer her up on the last day of school. The students have no idea that teachers are just as excited about this time of year when they too get a bit of a summer break. Your students will love to act out the roles of the different characters and reflect on their own school year.
See full description on TPT.
FREEBIE: End of Year Reflection Journal
This Memories of My School Year for BIG KIDS is a printable PDF that is so much fun for students! This 13-page NO PREP memory book contains the perfect reflection journal for your students to complete on those last days of the school year. Let them relive the memories while you don’t stress about the planning. Your students will love sitting and reflecting on the events and fun of the school year!
Download Printable PDF Here!
Close Reading Passages for the Month of May
Do your students need more work with close reads to enhance their focus with reading passages? This May Close Reads for BIG KIDS is the ideal reading tool for your students. Use for weekly reading homework, center work, read-to-self, read-to-someone, whole class strategy work, small group, or one-on-one intervention. The uses are endless!
See full description on TPT.
