• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Desktop logo for Mrs. Beers

Mrs. Beers Language Arts Classroom

My middle school ELA blog featuring student engagement strategies, classroom ideas, and lesson plans for language arts teachers.

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • TPT STORE
  • BLOG

End of the School Year Made Easy

May 23, 2022 by Erin Beers
End of the School teacher tips

The end of the school year is a WILD and BUSY time.  I always compare it to a tornado swooping me up, swirling me around with a million things on my plate, and spitting me out as I say goodbye to another amazing group of students.  Likely, you can relate.  Every year we know that last school day inevitably comes, but every year it is a mad dash to get it all done. Am I right?!

This year I wanted to share FOUR tried and true ideas to make your end of the school year teacher life easier. Go easy on yourself and do what you can, but here are my helpful tips…

#1: Let students help with end of the year organization and classroom break down. They LOVE to be put to work.

packing up classroom

In addition, you will accumulate minimal to no trash if you clean-out your classroom with students around because they treasure EVERYTHING.  Empty tissue boxes, ripped posters, markers that have no ink…GOLD!  I have no idea what my students do with all of these items, but it is one less trip to the dumpster I need to take when I clear out some cabinets in their presence!

#2: Spread some gratitude to those who have made each day better!

teacher appreciation

Gift cards for everyone gets expensive.  We are teachers, right?!  Cookie Pops are my favorite go-to when I have lots of people that I want to acknowledge, provide a gift for, or thank.  I buy: packages of Double Stuffed Oreos, chocolate coating, sprinkles, lollipop sticks, cellophane bags, and twine.  I write a little note to show my gratitude, and it is the perfect treat/gift.  If you have volunteers, parent helpers, and school staff that you want to acknowledge, cookie pops are the way to go!

#3: Have fun with your students! Do one last activity or take one last adventure that makes you realize how much you adore each of them.

last day ideas for middle school

Let’s be honest, by the end of the year everyone is exhausted and crawling to the finish line.  However, these are the last few days you will ever have of this school year and with this group of students.  You will never forget them, but it is so rewarding to have one last amazing memory of your time together.  Take your students to the park for a picnic, plan a whole class game of kickball, or find a local bowling alley or skating rink for some inexpensive, but laugh-out-loud fun!  I promise, you and your students will have a blast! It is also the perfect way to encourage positive behavior if you plan this adventure during those last days of the year.

#4: Grab this FREEBIE End of Year Memory Book by clicking the image…

ELA End of Year Memory Book

I am not sure about your school, but our yearbooks don’t often come until the following August.  In order to give students a keepsake of our year together, I created this memory book for student reflection and fun during these last days of the year when our work is coming to an end, and our daily schedule is interrupted with activities and assemblies.  This is the perfect activity to engage ALL of your students and to close out the year.

I know you are wiped and ready for a well-deserved break, but don’t forget to take some time to reflect on all that was accomplished this year!  YOU are the reason your students had such an amazing year and have grown so much!  Enjoy those last few days together and have an amazing summer!

POPULAR POSTS:

Poetry Analysis for Middle School and Upper Elementary

Poetry Analysis for Middle School Students

READ MOREPoetry Analysis for Middle School Students
Task Card Ideas and Activities for Middle School

Task Cards (Made Easy!) for The Middle School Classroom

READ MORETask Cards (Made Easy!) for The Middle School Classroom
  • middle school book projects
  • context clue task cards
  • Mrs. Beers ELA Sub Plans
  • readers theater bundle for middle grades

February ELA Favorites for Middle School

A Fun Valentine’s Day Activity for the Middle Grade Classroom

Poetry Analysis for Middle School Students

Teaching about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with Middle School Resources

Mid-Year ELA Classroom Setup Reset

New Year’s Resolution Essay Writing (MADE EASY!) for Middle School

Sidebar

About Mrs. Beers

erin beers language arts teacher

I am a 7th grade language arts teacher in Cincinnati. 2022 marks my 22nd year in the classroom!
⭐ Visit My TPT Store
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram

Recent Posts

  • February ELA Favorites for Middle School
  • A Fun Valentine’s Day Activity for the Middle Grade Classroom
  • Poetry Analysis for Middle School Students

ELA Teacher Toolbox

  • Classroom Setup
  • Reader's Theater Scripts
  • Word Walls
  • Emergency Sub Plans
  • Task Cards
  • Best Books for Middle School
  • Novel Study Unit Essentials
  • ELA Freebies
  • Poetry Analysis

Blog Posts

  • Favorites
  • Classroom Management
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Teaching Tips

Resources

  • My TPT Store
  • Reader’s Theater Scripts
  • Emergency Sub Plans
  • Novel Study Units

About

  • About Mrs. Beers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resource Policies
  • Sitemap

Copyright © 2023 · Mrs. Beers Language Arts Classroom · All Rights Reserved