The end of what has been the most bizarre school year ever is finally upon us. It's crazy to think how warn out and ready for summer I typically am at the this time of year, but this year I'm just longing to see my students and celebrate with them one last time.
What are some great ways to celebrate the end of the year digitally with my students?
Thanks to COVID, most of us are familiar using some form of digital platform to communicate and connect with our students whether it be Zoom or Google Classroom.
So, I've done a little research and put together a list of fun ways we can celebrate using a digital platform:
- Scavenger Hunt or Escape Room
- Virtual Field Trip
- Science Experiments
- Virtual Dance Party
- Virtual Awards Ceremony
Drumroll please….
#1 Scavenger Hunt or Escape Room
These are super popular as “Fun Friday” activities which I think would double as a great end of year activity. Theres nothing like a race to beat your fellow classmates to bring us all together, right?
But, nevertheless, these are a great way to gets students engaged and gives them a break from the typical “school day”.
You can design your own, or I've seen some great ones on www.teacherspayteachers.com.
#2 Digital Field Trip
We all missed out on our typical end of year field trip, but so many different companies and museums have stepped it up and helped us out with some amazing options for digital field trips!!
My class and I had a “Stay Day” and took a virtual field trip of an M&M factory and incorporated a How to Make M&M's writing project!
Here were some of the best field trip lists that I found!
Leach's Literacy Training: 30 Virtual Field Trips.
We are Teachers: 25 Amazing Virtual Field Trips
Freedom Home Schooling: Virtual Field Trips
Mrs. Jump's Class: 18 Virtual Field Trip Ideas for Early Learners
#3 Science Experiments
Everyone loves a good science experiment, and We Are Teachers did not disappoint. They put together a list of 25 at home science experiments for first graders!
A few of my favorites include:
- balloon powered rocket
- animal camouflage
- explore melting rates
- reflections and mirrors
- surface tension with milk designs
- paper cup phone
If you are looking for an experiment that you can do via Zoom, color changing experiments are always a favorite!
Check out the “Walking Water” and Skittles experiments below!
#4 Virtual Dance Party
Dance parties are one of my favorite ways to end the year! Any music will work, but to throw in some extra fun, utilize Go Noodle.
My students LOVE Go Noodle during the year for brain breaks and I'm certain they would love a virtual Go Noodle party as well!
There are also great Kids Just Dance videos on YouTube!
Students love it!
#5 Virtual Awards Ceremony
An awards ceremony is an excellent opportunity to celebrate ALL students and the many accomplishments they achieved this year. Not just perfect attendance or highest scores, but students who never gave up or were always kind.
It would be super easy to hold a virtual awards ceremony in the same way you would have held a regular one. You could make digital certificates or print certificates and hold them up.
I've seen super cute invitations floating around Facebook and Pinterest that highlight this as a red carpet event and even ask students to dress in their best clothes!
More End of Year Activities for First Grade
