The end of the school year is not a time for us to coast through to the last day. The end of the year is almost as stressful as the beginning, right? The last thing you need at the end of the school year is more “stuff to do” piled on your already overflowing plates. But never fear, I have 5 easy hacks that preschool and kindergarten teachers can use to lighten the load.
End-of-the-School-Year Pile On
Here’s what my to-do list for end of school looked like. I’m sure yours is similar.
- Finish student assessments
- Fill out report cards
- Practice for end-of-year program (or graduation)
- Plan and host family, Mothers’ Day, Fathers’ Day event.
- Buy snacks for the program/celebrations.
- Plan and carry out final field trips.
- Pack up my room and label all the furnishings.
And that’s just the start. There always seems to be additional “other duties” like helping clean general areas of the school, updating records, and thanking volunteers and staff.
Whew! I’m tired just thinking about it all again.
It seems like teaching is more difficult now than ever before. So we must work smarter, not harder in order to maintain our physical and mental health. That’s where my year-end hacks come in.
1. Streamline end of the school year ceremonies and performances.
Every year, I get emails from teachers asking for help planning end-of-the-year celebrations. I get it, because all those moving parts and pieces are a lot of work for teachers.
But here’s the thing [hot take alert]: elaborate ceremonies or performances just aren’t necessary. I get that may be an unpopular opinion; however, unrealistic expectations are placed on teachers and students when it comes to these things. Then the stress piles on.
If you can avoid having a graduation or final performance, do it. But if you must have one because the person who signs your paycheck says so, then allow me to take some of the burden off you and make your teacher life easier.
- Graduation and end-of-year ideas – These preschool graduation ideas can help you plan just the right experience for your children, from simple treats and gifts to an art show to a more traditional “ceremony.”
- Preschool Graduation Kit – My collection of printables will make planning and preparing any graduation program easier–preschool, pre-k, or kindergarten! Add your own text to these done-for-you resources and create an amazing and memorable graduation program for your students and parents.
- Songs – If you plan a performance, use the songs your children are already singing each day or week. No need to learn something new or create a complicated performance. Keep it simple.
2. Eliminate or streamline family celebrations/gifts.
I’m not sure when it became the teacher’s responsibility to throw a party to celebrate Mother’s Day for the child. It’s kind of just one of those “we’ve always done it this way” things that gets perpetuated over the years. It may be time to retire this special event. By all means, celebrate families in your classroom – just make that a part of what you do at the end-of-year celebrations.
But, if you are required to keep this type of event, I can help again. Check out the Mother’s Day/Father’s Day Event Bundle. Like the Graduation Kit, these done-for-you resources will give you everything you need to have successful Mother’s Day and Father’s Day events in your school or classroom.
And let’s talk about elaborate parent gifts. My rule of thumb: If it takes longer than one class period to make, then don’t do it. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve heard teachers say they spent weeks working on an elaborate something-or-other for moms or dads…only to have the custodian accidentally throw it away or some other tragedy.
Try something simple like a sun catcher or bookmark…or a thumbprint keepsake…or a frame for a favorite photo…or even a keychain.
3. Rethink gifts for students.
Listen, nobody ever said you had to give your kids gifts at the end of the year, and it doesn’t make you a bad teacher if you don’t. You’ve been giving them yourself all year long. When I taught morning and afternoon classes, I could have up to 44 preschool students. That’s really an investment if you go out and purchase gifts!
Of course, it’s fine if you WANT to give your students something. Consider cost–both in money and time–as you choose gifts. For something low-key and low-prep, try using my memory book. It only requires a single sheet of paper each day for 10 days and some crayons.
4. Use favorites for field day.
When it comes to field day for preschool, Pre-K, and kindergarten kids, don’t worry about complicated or involved. Do quick and easy fun outdoor activities. (After all, they enjoy just running around outside anyway!)
Stick to simple, age-appropriate things like blowing bubbles, parachute play, bean bag tossing games, hoops and pool noodles, and outside water play. These are fun and familiar and your young students will have a blast.
Check out this list of field day activities and games for more quick and easy fun.
5. Use the last day to prepare for the next first day.
On the very last day of school, cover all the tables in your classroom with art paper. Print WELCOME in a large size in the middle of the paper on each table.
Then, invite your kids to write/draw welcome messages for next-year’s class on the paper.
After children are done, roll the papers up carefully and store them safely for the summer. When you return in the fall, put them up on your bulletin boards. Now you have backgrounds for taking first day of school photos (already done!).
A bonus
Those big bulky paper packets of “summer work,” although well-intentioned, are no longer a thing. The packets are a waste of time for teachers and a source of stress for families for very little, if any benefit. If you want to send something home for the summer, I have a free, printable Summer Reading Bingo that suggests book titles for parents to read to their children.
Time-Saving Resource
If you have a “graduation” or just a celebration for the end of the year, our Graduation Kit is a time-saver…and just what you may need during this busy time of year.
