Last Day of School Activities for Upper Elementary

Getting ready for the last day of school? It is stressful and emotional, I know!

The last day of school can sometimes feel awkward. Many of the school and class materials have been packed up, and student desks are usually cleaned out! It can leave both you and your students feeling like you do not know what to do.

No worries, I can help! Add these five ideas to your last day of school lesson plans to keep your sanity and fill your time together in meaningful and fun ways...one last time!

1. Last Day of School Coloring and EOY Fun Pack

This past year, coloring pages have been my go-to for brain breaks, fast finishers, special day activities, and time fillers! So why not on the last day of school, too?

These Doodle Thinker coloring pages include a "Last Day of School" page for grades 2-6, plus nine other coloring pages with an end-of-the-year theme!

Each page also includes wordwork and written reflections about the school year! These are a must, just print, copy, and have them in your teacher toolbox for the end of the year and the last day of school.

Having this print and go End of Year fun packet on hand is just what you and your students need to be engaged as the year winds down. Literally just print and staple, and watch your students beg for time to work on these activities!

2. Take a Walk Down Memory Lane

Did you snap a million pictures throughout the year of special days and moments? Turn them into a slideshow! If you are short on pictures, ask your students' parents and families to send some to you if they have some from school events.

If not, you can still create a slideshow! Create a special page about each student and share it on the last day. This template pack has all the pages that you need!      

3. Read One Last Picture Book

I love to read non-traditional last day of school picture books! Books that focus on friendships and memories are a great topic to focus on as the year comes to a close.

Try these...

• Out of Nowhere by Chris Naylor-Ballesteros
• Memory Jars by Vera Brosgol
• Breathe by Scott Magoon

👉Read this post with my favorite last week of school read-aloud!

4. School Reflections with a Friend

Nothing says it is the last day of school more than reflections with a friend! Help celebrate friendships with these task cards that you can post around the room! Have kids work with a partner and reflect on the year. You can set these up with chart paper at each station. Give each pair of kids their own color marker to use at each station. Have the kids write their responses with their color maker at each station on the chart paper. Share all the responses once the kids have made it through all the cards.

Follow up this activity with a last-day-of-school scavenger hunt the kids love!

👉Grab a free friendship activity here!

5. Clean Up!

There is always something to clean on the last day of school! Have the kids clean out their desks, cubbies, lockers, and personal spaces. When they are done, enlist their help to clean up common areas, too! Assign different kids to different clean-up areas like the classroom library, paper closet, and shared supplies.

6. Memory Craft

Your students will love to create this memory craft. This Name that Memory activity is simple to prep, fun for students, and highly engaging during the end-of-the-year season.  

Students will think about a favorite memory, draw an illustration, and then write three clues to help others guess or name that memory! This makes a fun project and bulletin board for the end of the year!

6. Math Project - Lemonade Stand

This is so simple to implement but so engaging! The kids will have a chance to put their mathematical and design skills to work as they run their lemonade stand and advertise it to boost sales!

And since this task is differentiated for grades 3-5, there is a level just right for your upper elementary students!

Want to tie in writing and summer vibes to your lemonade math activity? Grab this lemonade craft that kids LOVE to create!

The end of the school year can be an emotional day for both staff and students. Keep the air of the classroom light and filled with fun activities to make the most of your last day as a class. With these five tips, your students will be smiling and enjoying the class during their last day in your classroom!

Happy summer!

You will also love to read:

7 Ways to Celebrate the End of the School Year

10 Easy and Fun End-of-the-Year Celebration Ideas

End of the Year Tips for Writing Thank You Cards

Countdown to the Last Week of School with These Books

End-of-the-Year Project Tips

Field Day Management Hacks Every Teacher Needs

Looking for more end-of-the-school-year activities that kids love? See more HERE.

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