Last Week and Days of Schools Activities

TeacherCarrie · **Last Week and Days of Schools Activities** 05-23-2007, 08:34 AM

I posted this in my own grade level board, but thought we could get ideas from everyone.

Several of the activities I used at the end of my first year last year came from this site...I am still very thankful for that.

I wanted to see if anyone had any new ideas or the same ideas you posted last year for those who weren't on the board last year...plus, I might see some that I looked over last year.

If I think of any, I will come and post them as well.

cheri · **Community Service** 05-23-2007, 03:16 PM

Our elementary walks around town (a small community), and picks up garbage. It is a great way for them to help out the community, and it gets them exercising outside. They must wear gloves and each grade takes a section of town. Our kids love it, and the community really appreciates it!

Ms. Teacher · **Survivor Day** 05-23-2007, 04:05 PM

We just had a Survivor Day today - Principal and office grilled hot dogs outside near playground - everyone eats outside on regular lunch shift. Then, specials, Sp. Ed. Title, etc. have games for grade levels to participate at different areas on playground - you can use your imagination with this! Ex.: Bird Bath - 1 chair per class set short distance from students - homeroom tchr. sits in chair holding a tall plastic cup on head. Students are at a bucket of water with sponges - race to see which class can run, squeeze water into cup - of course the tchr gets wet! (some tchrs. let students take their place) 2-headed race - 1 lrg shirt per class, 2 students put heads through neck, 1 arm out each & race to a turn around pt and back give shirt to next 2. ...We had a total of 6 games going with classes rotating. Started at 12:45 and finished between 2:30 - 3:00 - then back to class and send kids home.

BookMuncher · **fun stuff** 05-23-2007, 05:51 PM

Game Day: Think I got that here... kids bring in a game board, and you pack while they play. I couldn't believe how calm and nicely they played (and for how looooong!).

Summer Cleaning Day: OK- so it doesn't sound fun for us, but the kids love it. The key is in really putting a little time ahead of time to type a list for yourself of every job they could possibly help you with. You won't get to do too much, but a lot will get done.

Book Beach/Camp Learned-a-Lot/ Summer Sleepover: Those are all different themes we've brainstormed for the same basic idea that each teacher makes a review or memories activity for their room and the kids rotate through. Either all in one day or one each day for a week.

Tye Dying-- bandanas are fun and smaller than T-shirts!

Choice Awards: Hold a book awards ceremony with different categories of books throughout the year

1stgradenew · **Bookmuncher and others** 05-23-2007, 06:32 PM

I know that you have talked alot about the community building games that you do in your class. I remember I got the cup stacking idea from you and my kids LOVED that. I might do that again

Do you do anything at the end of the year? I want to do some "working at a team" stuff especially since I have had some bullying issues here in the last few weeks.

BookMuncher · **off the top of my head** 05-24-2007, 01:33 PM

I don't really know all of the rules. I always have my Morning Meeting Book on my lap, flip to the end and teach the game on the spot. ??? Sorry that I'm drawing a blank. Do you have that book?

1stgradenew · **Yes** 05-24-2007, 02:04 PM

I do have that book and I haven't really looked at it because I'm not starting Morning Meeting until next year but I will pull it out now and check out the games...thanks for the suggest!!

lil annie · **lentil balls** 05-24-2007, 04:20 PM

I usually have the kids make lentil balls the last day. You will need 9" balloons and bags of dried lentils. 1 bag will make 3 balls.

I let the kids pick a balloon and send it back with them back to their seats with 1/3 of bag of lentils. They have to blow it partway up and hold it shut while they count to 50. They let the air out and start dropping in the lentils one by one. When the lentils fill the neck, the kids simply blow into (lessons on how to blow in and not inhale the lentils are necessary for some!)This makes more room and they have to repeat it until the lentils are all in. It makes a peach sized ball. They bring it back to me and I cut the rounded end off the neck. They choose another color balloon and I cut the entire neck off and stretch it over the lentil filled balloon. Just a little part of the original color shows and the kids love them.

I had one blow his balloon up until it popped and another blow hers up and turn it loose. Both spent their time picking up lentils, lol.

MrsG · 05-24-2007, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Tye Dying-- bandanas are fun and smaller than T-shirts!

Sounds fun! How do you do this in your classroom?

BookMuncher · **not in room** 05-24-2007, 06:12 PM

We did it in the science lab... you could do it outside too. I put on a movie for most kids while about 3 parents and I pulled kids a couple at a time to dye. One thing that helped was to squeeze the colors over top of some disposable pie tins. Don't forget the gloves!