Quick and Easy End of the Year Fun

1-2-3 Come Do Some End Of The Year Activities With Me

I was always looking for some quick, easy and educational activities that would be fun for my kiddos to do during those last few weeks of school.

Things they could work on independently that didn't take a lot of prep or explanation on my part, which would free me up to finish assessing or complete the myriad of other "have to get done" things.

Today's article features 2 of my favorites. First up is my "Autograph Packet". There are 3 autograph booklets to choose from.

* The pencil, is for older students,
* The schoolhouse works for just about anyone, as well as the "play-on-words" auto-themed auto-graph booklet.

However, I did have an early-elementary crowd in mind when I made the automobile one, as I included a full-page option because little ones tend to write so big. The others are 2-on-a-page for speedy printing.

The packet includes black & white autograph pages, featuring adorable graphics for your kiddos to color, should you choose the auto or schoolhouse options. (More "happily engaged" time.)

Unlike an entire memory book that would be a bit difficult for little ones to do on their own, they feel extremely proud that they can write their name and really enjoy collecting their classmates' signatures as well.

Because the pencil is for older students, simply cut some blank pages (perhaps fun neon-colored copy paper) and staple together.

Another super-fun activity is making some thank you cards to show your appreciation for staff and others that have helped you through the year.

This is an educationally relevant activity, plus a great way to teach this valuable life skill. Letting people know you care, especially fits in with those schools who have taken part in a bucket-filling program.

I find that children are anxious to make something for these individuals, as they have really come to care for them. With that in mind, I designed the "Thank You! End-Of-The-Year Appreciation Packet", which includes a nice variety of "craftivities" for you to choose from.

teacher appreciation ideas, teacher appreciation cards, end of the year activities, end of the year crafts, thank you cards, end of the year thank you cards, end of the year teacher appreciation, bus driver card, The "Thanks a Bunch Bouquet" is a quick, easy and lovely thank you card for a room helper, librarian, secretary, student teacher, or whomever else you’d like to show your appreciation for. A parent could also make this for the teacher.

Simply print off the vase of flowers, along with a color or black and white copy of your class’s group picture. Cut the children’s head shots into circles. You or they can glue to the center of the flowers.

I made enough centers for 30 students and one teacher. I’d put your photo in the flower that’s fallen, as it stands out. For a less feminine option, I’ve also included a "Thanks a bunch!" pattern, with a set of balloons.

teacher appreciation ideas, teacher appreciation cards, end of the year activities, end of the year crafts, thank you cards, end of the year thank you cards, end of the year teacher appreciation, bus driver card, I’ve also written a little thank you poem that generically fits just about anyone. You can glue this inside the card as well, then sign Love, Mr(s) ______________’s 2016 kindergarten class etc. (You fill in your name, the year and grade.)

teacher appreciation ideas, teacher appreciation cards, end of the year activities, end of the year crafts, thank you cards, end of the year thank you cards, end of the year teacher appreciation, bus driver card, If you want this activity to include some writing practice, students can also complete the “Thank you for . . .” writing prompt worksheets or bookmarks that can be glued inside, or on the back of the card as well. Each child simply writes one sentence.

This can be done at an independent center, or you can fill in the page as a whole group. For preschool children, have each child dictate what they’d like to thank that person for and you write it down.

To make things easier, I allow students to write a "sentence" or phrase, if they can’t think of an adjective that starts with that letter; such as "A" = “Always there for us.” or for the letter "Y", “You are great!”

Younger students can do this with you during a whole-group brainstorming session. Choose children to color in the letters. This too, is another little something that can be glued inside the card along with the heart that says: "Thank you! Thank you! You're so nice. Simply had to say it twice."

teacher appreciation ideas, teacher appreciation cards, letter cards that spell out thank you, end of the year activities, end of the year crafts, thank you cards, end of the year thank you cards, end of the year teacher appreciation, bus driver card, For another option, I’ve also included large 8x10 letter cards that spell out “Thank you!” . Break up your children into small groups and have them color their group's letter. For a truly awesome-looking stained-glass appearance, remind them to color each section a different color.

Glue each letter to a variety of colors of construction paper. Arrange your students in a group. The front nine children each hold a letter and the exclamation point card, so that they spell “Thank you!” Take a picture. Use this photo to glue to the inside, or for the cover, of your thank you card(s).

Simply run off the bus pattern on yellow construction paper. Children trim and “hinge” the "grill" to the matching section of the larger bus, so that it flips open to reveal a handwritten message from the child.

For that finishing touch, add a photo of themselves in the bus seat. I cannot begin to tell you how many of my students' bus drivers LOVED this card.

Theirs is often a thankless job (I certainly couldn't do it!) and they were truly touched. Some taped them inside the bus!

end of the year activities, end of the year poem, end of the year ideas, memory books These simple acts of kindness, go a long way in touching an individual’s heart and making them feel truly appreciated. I hope you make the time to "pay it forward" today. You just never know how far that "ripple" of joy grows.

Today's featured FREEBIE is an end of the year alphabet poem. Simply run it off and tuck in your kiddos' backpacks on that last day of school. I've included full color, as well as black & white templates for PK-4 through 1st grade.

Well that's it for today. Thanks for visiting. I love my early morning time before things get hot and sticky. Once again Michigan has skipped spring and zipped into summer weather.