Hello Darlings!

Who knew that giant pile of pacing guides, manuals, and slide decks would actually RUN OUT?! It is exciting as it bookmarks the start of something wonderful…summer! But what do you do in the last few days of school that encourages learning, engages your students, and doesn’t leave your room an entire pit? Check out some of my favorite ideas that hold up!

Writing:

Some of my favorite activities are writing activities because they are often the ones that make the keepsake box for parents. It is also a joy to see their creativity come to life after you’ve structured their writing with prompts the bulk of the year. Some of my faves include: 

Memory Book: have your students think back to all the learning they have done this year and all the fun they have had. This can be done by creating a class brainstorm on the board! Have fun laughing and reminiscing before setting them free to work on the Printable version or Digital Version. 

In Twenty Years Writing: My favorite yet! As a class, talk about how life was when you were in third grade. Try not to be offended when they guess that electricity wasn’t invented yet. Discuss new inventions and technology that you did not have that students have now (you are sure to shock them with that whole I-pad thing). Have students brainstorm what it might be like for them in 20 years and then have them write about it! You are sure to get some giggles!

Letter to a New Third Grader (or any grade): I love this because it makes for a super personalized open house in the fall! Have your students use their best handwriting and grammar to write a letter to an incoming third grader and have them share some advice, favorite memories, and things they will learn. I personally love the advice they give about surviving me haha! Give the letters to your new students the next year on the first day or add it to your open house night to welcome incoming students!

Reading Ideas:

Let’s get into some fun reading activities that are sure to inspire that summer reading list you plan to send home! 

Reader’s Theaters: My students LOVE these because they are fun. I love them because students can practice fluency and expression while dressing up. Add some fun by letting them perform for each other! 

Dreamscape: Yes, give in to the technology and let them play this highly engaging Reading game online. Students read short passages and answer questions to defend their world. Even your kids that claim to dislike reading will be smiling!

Book Recommendation Celebration: Have your students pick their favorite book. Then, have them design an ad for their book that tries to convince others to read it. Really spice things up by allowing them to make a poster, video, or Google Slide. They will love sharing their ad with the rest of the class. Take it one step further and generate a class recommended list of summer reads! 

Math Ideas

Math has so many endless possibilities but check out my two favorites!

Gameboards: Students work hard on a gameboard that includes the math skills they used all year long. Students can bring in materials from home to add to their game (dice, playing pieces, cards, etc) and then spend the rest of the time creating. Once games are complete, students can play with others in the class. This can create DAYS of fun with the number of games in the room! 

Chalk Math: This is super fun and easy! Simply complete your normal worksheets or lessons but have students go outside and write their answers on the sidewalk with chalk.  

Science

Get ready to get a little messy but make some incredible memories that they will never forget! 

S’MOREs Solar Ovens: Have your students use the design and engineering process to create solar ovens to melt S’MORES. They will have an absolute blast building, creating, making, and of course…eating!! (More to come on this one – stay tuned!)

Obstacle Course Design: Divide your students into teams and have them create blueprints of an obstacle course that they can create with chalk outside. Be sure to approve their plans, then have them create the full design outside with chalk. Now for the fun part…have the rest of the class try out each other’s obstacle courses and rate their designs. If it doesn’t rain, you can revisit this more than once!!

Gummy Bear Experiment: Using gummy bears, submerge them in a variety of liquids to see what happens! Have students record their observations in a journal.

I hope you’ll love my favorite activities!! 

DM me on Instagram @thatteachingspark or tag me in a picture to show how you and your students are enjoying your last days together.