Hyper kids, testing, (extra coffee), irritable teachers, report cards, memory books, (extra coffee), next year's classroom ordering, student placements for 3rd grade, field trips, (extra coffee), need I say more? When is your last day of school? Our last day with students is on May 23rd and I find myself feeling slightly overwhelmed, can I get an AMEN? This is the time of year that I think all teachers need to remind ourselves and each other to take deep breaths, get to bed early, and push through, right? I have something that I like to do with my students at the end of every school year and I'd like to share it with you. Introducing…Words of Wisdom!
Before you go any further, save this idea to your Pinterest board now so you have it ready to go for next year too!
At the end of the school year, I have my students write down their words of wisdom for the following year's 2nd grade students. They always turn out adorable and I like to save them to read to my new class in the fall. Here is a close up shot of one of the writing pieces from this year…
Before I have my students write anything, we compile a list of possible answers for the different areas of advice. The three areas that we focus on are: Skills learned in 2nd grade, things that the teacher loves, and favorite parts about the year. It really turns into an enjoyable walk down memory lane as we reminisce about all the fun and learning we had that year. Below you will see one of our lists we created together…
I like to break up this writing activity because the quality that is produced is better. After we make a list on the board together, I send them back to their desks to write their own words of wisdom. Then we come back to the rug and repeat with the next list. If a student finishes their advice before it is time to come back for the next list, I allow them to color.
I always find it entertaining to read the words of wisdom in the “Our teacher loves it when…” box. From “Our teacher loves it when we give her gifts like hand sanitizer” to “She loves that and when I put all the chairs down in the morning and when we give her chocolate.” Ha! Ha! Yes, they know me well! 😉
Aren't these precious? Of course, since they do such a nice job, these get displayed on the Handwriting Wall of Fame. I plan to leave them up over the summer and then take some time in the fall to read these Words of Wisdom to my new class.
I've created this fun writing activity for grades Kindergarten, First, Second, and Third grades.
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I really super duper LOOVVEEEEE this! I am going to make it into a class book for my next year's class! Thanks for the freebie!
Angela 🙂
Hippo Hooray for Second Grade!
Thanks Angela! I'm so glad that you can put it to good use!! Have you blogged about what goes into your class book?
This is a great activity to end our year…and make a nice hallway display for next year! Thanks for sharing!
Jean
Diving Into 2nd Grade
Thanks Jean! I like the idea of having it in the hallway as a welcome display for next year's kids…I just may have to move these out of my room into the hallway…I think that the parents for next year will like this as well as my students from this year who will walk by it and love to see their work! 🙂
Great photos of wonderful writing AND coloring! Extra coffee…I am done on June 27th. EXTRA coffee needed! Happy May to you!
Wow, June 27th huh? That is really late! Where do you teach? EXTRA COFFEE is definitely the answer! Ha! Ha! Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to leave me feedback!
I know my students would love to write to the incoming 2nd graders. This is really cute 🙂 How am I going to fit all these cute ideas in the next 10 days!!??
I can't wait to do this with my students. It is all printed and ready to go. Thanks for sharing!
-Jaime
Bright Concepts 4 Teachers
This is great! I can't wait to do this with my students right before the year ends!
These are printed and ready to go! Thank you for such a meaningful and reflective way to end the school year! Plus, it was so sweet to read the ones you posted and to see how you sent up the writing time! And coffee, an absolute MUST! 🙂
Allison
2ndcupofcampers.blogspot.com
This is super cute friend! Love it!
Marcy
Saddle Up For 2nd Grade
I LOVE IT! I am going to tell the other teachers at my school about it because I know they will love it too! Random question…why is the apostrophe backwards? haha
Thanks Kirsten! As for the apostrophe…I had to go back and look for what you are talking about! 🙂 Not sure on the answer for that one…probably just the font choice? I'm glad you like the FREEBIE!
I had been doing something similar each year, but this is SOOOOOO much cuter!! Thanks for the FREEBIE.
Angie,
Thank you so much for having this FREEBIE go from K to 5th grade. I am Sp Ed and this makes it so much easier when all of my students can participate in the same writing activity.
Question: In one of your classroom pictures that was included on this page (for how to complete this), you have a Voice Level indicator on your board. Is this something you offer in your TpT store?
Thanks so much
These are adorable. When I click on the link it makes me join all access to get them. Are they only free if you already have all access?!