{"id":11313,"date":"2025-04-07T18:47:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-07T22:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nearpod.com\/blog\/?p=11313"},"modified":"2025-08-12T13:54:50","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T17:54:50","slug":"end-of-the-virtual-year-resources","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nearpod.com\/blog\/end-of-the-virtual-year-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"10 End of year celebration ideas and activities for students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Why should schools celebrate the end of the year?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While the sentiment of the traditional rhyme, \u201cNo more pencils, no more books, no more teacher\u2019s dirty looks,\u201d can be traced back to the late 1800s, I\u2019m guessing that kids have been rejoicing about the end of the school year since schooling began!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yet, it\u2019s not a fault of \u201cdirty looks\u201d from the educators, but rather that this is the time of year that earmarks an opportunity for all to celebrate kids\u2019 accomplishments, milestones, and growth over the past 10 months.<\/strong> What are the ways that you can earmark the occasion with end of year celebrations or activities?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10 End of year celebration ideas and activities for students<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While your students may lament the end of one school year, they also eagerly anticipate the advancement to a new grade. So, how best to host an end of year celebration across your school community?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider recognizing individuals\u2019 progress as well as the group\u2019s overall progress. How can you revisit the start of the year to underscore the growth at the year\u2019s end? Take some time to reflect back on the start of the year and the expectations and goals you set forth for the class\u2014were those goals met?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are 10 ways to celebrate the end of this school year with your students, their families, and the school community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

New to Nearpod? <\/strong>Teachers can sign up for a free Nearpod account below to access these resources, interactive activities, and engaging lessons. Administrators can schedule a call with an expert to unlock the full power of Nearpod for schools and districts.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Teachers: Sign up for free<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Administrators: Schedule a call<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

1. Reflect on the past school year<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Does your school have a yearbook? If not, there are many free digital solutions for you to capture students\u2019 thoughts while compiling reflections and stories from the past school year. Even if your school does have a yearbook, you can create your own fun end of year activities for your class specifically.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use a Nearpod presentation and Open-Ended Questions to have students write their contributions and post multimedia; they can include everything from images and videos to playlists. Alternatively, engage your students in one of these end of the school year activities to share their favorite memories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Memory wheel<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Use a Memory wheel template so each student can jot down 6-8 poignant memories from the past school year. You could use the Draw It<\/a> Tool to capture words and illustrations. Students can curate their own list, or you can provide prompts like special events, student activities, new friends, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Memory<\/a>
Memory Wheel example from Cognitive Cardio Math<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Memory<\/a>
Memory Wheel activity on Draw It<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Skittles end of year writing activity<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Give each child a fun-size bag of Skittles to sort by color. Then, ask them to write a specific number of memories or stories based on the color-coded prompts. For a drawing alternative, create a template background with the color-coded prompts and upload it to a Draw It activity. Students then respond by drawing about the memory or story. Compile these stories together to create a digital memory book and share it with students!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Skittles<\/a>
Source: Digging Deeper Teaching Resources<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Skittles<\/a>
Source: Digging Deeper Teaching Resources<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

End of school year Jenga<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Use colored Jenga (or other multi-colored) blocks to play an engaging game of swapping memories. Have kids share a memory related to a color-coded reflection prompt.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"End<\/a>
Source: Life Between Summers<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

3-word summary<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Use Nearpod\u2019s virtual collaborative bulletin board, Collaborate Board<\/a>, to give each child three descriptive words to summarize this past school year. Ask students to explain their word choice to draw out specific memories. Create columns to make different categories and have students submit their responses using text, images, videos, or GIFs.<\/p>\n\n\n

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2. Have a social emotional learning (SEL) check-in<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The end of the school year can be a mix of emotions, which can be confusing for kids and adults alike. Gauge how your students are feeling and any emotions they might have as a result of school winding down. 
Support their self-awareness and self-management skills by checking in on students\u2019 social and emotional wellness with these SEL activities<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n