As the end of the school year approaches, it’s totally normal for students to start counting down the days until summer break – because us teachers will do the same!

However, it’s important for teachers to recognize the value of building a classroom community during this time even as the year is winding down.

By creating opportunities for students to connect with one another, we can help foster a positive and supportive learning environment that will benefit everyone in the long run and end the school year on a high note.

Conducting Classroom Community Building Activities

In this blog post, we’ll be discussing some creative ways to build a classroom community at the end of the year. These ideas are designed to help students bond over shared experiences, collaborate on group projects, and showcase their unique talents and interests.

With a little bit of effort and creativity, you can create a lasting sense of community that will carry over into future school years – even when your students have different teachers next year!

So whether you’re a teacher looking for new ideas, keep reading for some fun and meaningful ways to build class community at the end of the year!

 
1. Have a potluck or picnic.

A fun classroom community idea is to host a potluck party or a class picnic to celebrate the end of the year and give students a chance to bond over food and conversation.

2. Group project

Encourage classroom community building with a group project that involves students working together to accomplish a common goal, such as creating a mural or a video that highlights their favorite moments from the school year. I LOVE PBL projects and my students really enjoyed the Geometrocity PBL project by Digital Divide and Conquer!

 
3. Field trip

Plan a field trip that allows students to explore their community or participate in a community service activity together.

4. Game Day

Organize a game day with activities that involve teamwork, such as a scavenger hunt, a relay race or a game of volleyball.

5. Time Capsule

Have students create a time capsule together, where they each contribute an item or a letter that reflects their experiences and memories from the school year.

6. Host a Show or Fair

Encourage students to share their talents or interests by hosting a talent show, art show, or science fair.

7. Encourage One Another

Set up a gratitude wall or a compliment box where students can express their appreciation for one another and build each other up.

8. Presentation to Learn From One Another

Have students take the Enneagram for Big Kids  to learn about their personality types (if they haven’t already done so)! Assign group presentations or debates that allow students to share their perspectives and learn character traits and personality types from one another.

 

 

9. Class Awards Ceremony

Host a class awards ceremony, where students nominate and vote for the “best” or “most likely to” awards in various categories. 

My favorite award certificates in the classroom (for my 3rd and 5th graders) to use were these emoji awards certificates by Hubbard’s Cupboard!

10. Reflection Activity

Have a round table discussion or a class reflection activity, where students can share their overall experiences and feedback about the class and the school year. This book companion to A Letter From Your Teacher on the Last Day of School has quite a few activities for students to reflect on the year!

The great thing about all of these ideas is that you can mix and match it! You can pick a few of your favorite activities from above and implement them in your classroom depending on your class (and your own personal bandwidth)!

Building a class community at the end of the year is critical in creating a positive learning environment and fostering a sense of togetherness as it is in the beginning of the year.

With a bit of creativity and planning, there are endless opportunities to strengthen the bonds between students, celebrate their individual and collective successes, and look towards the future with optimism and excitement.