End-of-Year Engagement Ideas by Carlos McCray

Fitness Challenge

mccrayc1027 — 2024-04-10 01:31:19 UTC

With the gym being occupied by various end-of-the-year events, we've adapted by moving our activities into the classroom. One of the engaging exercises I implement is a fitness challenge. Students utilize a provided sheet to track their reps for each movement, with the added challenge of estimating their reps beforehand. Upon completion, we compile class averages for each exercise.

Letter Writing

2024-04-10 11:17:14 UTC

One of my favorite end of year activities, is to have my students write a "dear future third grader" letter. In this letter, they share advice on how to be successful in third grade and they get to reflect on some of their favorite memories of the year. It is a sweet way to practice writing skills but also have them think on all of the new things they have learned and accomplished in the past year.

2024-04-11 20:02:53 UTC

I find that doing activities where the students are able to move and talk during the last week is helpful. Everyone is filled with energy. This eliminates the need to continue to quiet them and allows them engage in a fun and educational way. One activity that has worked in the past is to do a table challenge. Each table gets a roll of masking tape and 20 sheets of paper. Which table can create a bridge that holds the most amount of weight? We stop near the end of class and add books to each bridge. The one that holds the most weight earns a prize! The kids love it; total engagement.

Jenny Neville

visual/movement

2024-04-15 15:09:40 UTC

At the end of the year 4th and 5th grade students are usually worn out from testing and sitting. So I incorporate visual practice testing and movements.

I use whole class or team kahoots to review.

They get competitive and also get intense review.

I also use movement. Placing various answers to questions around the room like a scavenger hunt or team based races to complete math problems (stronger students are placed with struggling students).

Daphyne Brown