Sunday, May 24, 2015

Summer Ready: Keeping It Together During the Last Days of the School Year



I was thinking earlier this week, what time of the school year is busier?...the beginning of the year or the end of the year.  I honestly don't know, but one thing I do know is that I enjoy the end of the year business a little more because it means summer break is right around the corner.

There are so many extra details to consider at the end of the year.  Grade cards, records (records and more records), special days, award ceremonies, class gifts, closing down your classroom, and more.  It's really important to get an early start on all of these loose ends or you will find yourself staying up for some late nights trying get everything finished.

One way you can help get yourself organized is by setting up some end of the year totes during the last couple of weeks.


The totes I set up were complete, donate, put away, toss.  In each tote I placed items or notes for myself to deal with as soon as possible.  My goal was to take care of everything in the totes before going home that day (although some items stayed in the totes for a few days).  
But even if the tote wasn't cleaned out before I left for the day, having everything I needed to do together in one spot really helped me stay focused on getting my end of the year tasks complete.
By the way, if there was something in the tote I needed to complete outside of school, like getting gifts for the students, I took a picture with my phone to reference when I was out running errands.
This system really helped me get things accomplished before the last day of school.  And while I was  not able to walk out the door after our end of the year teacher luncheon, I had all my "have to's" finished and had a chance to work on some bigger organization projects.

One item in my complete tote was a summer review packet for our rising first graders.  I sent our new firsties (and a few of our rising second graders) a supply list and a review packet.  If you would like a FREE copy of this summer review packet with your students, click on the picture below.



Another to do before wrapping up for summer break was to get my students a fun little end of the year gift.  In the past I've given books, candy, sidewalk chalk, and framed pictures of the class.  Student gifts this year were bubble wands.  I really love sending my sweet students out the door with a small treat.
If you are thinking of sending bubbles with your students and need a label for them, click on the picture below.  I've linked an editable (and FREE) version of the labels I used.



Our sweet girl is totally ready for summer break too.  She will be in second grade.  Am I a bit choked up?...yes.  It is just crazy how quickly she is growing up.  D and I love seeing the person she is becoming, but that doesn't stop me from wanting slow down time.


The last days of the school year are super busy.  But, with a little organization, you can end the year with plenty of energy to enjoy the summer.

33 comments:

  1. Hi Amber! Thank you so much for cute freebies! Your posts are so beautifully done. I enjoy reading them. Miss A has grown so much!

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  2. I love the labels for the bins you are using to organize for end of year--is there any way to get those--thanks Chris--I love your blog and your tpt store!

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    1. I'll see what I can do about sharing the tote labels. Check back.
      Thanks for the kind words.

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    2. Thanks so much & will be following your blog and store this summer for the next years class! :)

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    3. I've been looking for your organization bin label on your TPT store but I can't find them

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  3. Amber, I just love your organization ideas AND your freebie. Thank you so much! I am going to share that on my blog if that's ok with you! It's wonderful! Thank you again!
    Your family is just beautiful!
    Carolyn

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  4. I am unable to edit the adorable bubble tags. I click on "your name" and I am not allowed to add my name. Please help. Thank you!

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    1. I'm sorry. Without being at your computer, really don't know why you can't access the text box to edit your name. The bubble labels are a power point file and the editable portion is a simple text box. Maybe try to add your own text box. You can also print them as is and write your name in.

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  6. Love the bubble tags!! How cute. Very excited to find a Tenneesee blogger teacher.

    Kristy from Teaching Times 2

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  7. Thank you for sharing your adorable ideas. You are talented. I am excited to follow your posts from now on.
    Jammie, TK Teacher, CA

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  8. Thank you so much for creating this! very helpful! :)

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  9. I'm always looking for things to help the students over the summer. Your freebies are awesome and I look forward to reading more of your blog. My kiddos will be getting the Summer Break Review Packet! Thanks:)

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  10. I would love to purchase the labels for the totes. I am drowning in end-of-the year paperwork!! Thank you for sharing your talent!

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    1. Hi. At this point, I do not have the box labels in a ready to share format.
      Thanks so much for your interest.

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  11. The K review is WONDERFUL! Thank you!!

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  13. Adorable Bubble Tags! I had already printed some other ones, but these are so adorable I am going to print these and use them instead! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  14. I am in love with the summer review pack and bubble tags! What font did you use on the review pack? I need to add a few words for my packet? (I know super anal and need it to match)!

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    1. Hi. I totally understand wanting your fonts to match. ;)
      The font is by Cara Caroll (at teachers pay teachers). It's called ccsadsville.
      Thanks for stopping by.

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  15. Thank you so much for the Summer Break Review freebie! I am going to share it with my families. I really was expecting to have to go to the pay the teacher for ideas website (not that there's anything wrong with teachers trying to make a few bucks with their ideas). But it's refreshing to still get something free in this day and age.

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    1. You are welcome.
      So glad you can use this packet.

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  16. Amber, Thank you soooo much for the summer review. So many parent this year requested summer work and as I was adding that task to my to do list the stress started to grow. I was so excited to see the Frye's 50 sight words because we use those at our school too. It almost seems too good to be true. The only request I have is your permission to translate the activities and instructions in Spanish. Most of my parents only speak and read Spanish and I know that they will struggle understanding the English instructions. Is there anyway I can get this document translated? If so my email is aperez@lesd.us if you would like to contact me. Thanks so much !!!

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    1. Hi Angelica.
      If you have the means to translate this document to share with your families, by all means you have my permission.
      Thanks for stopping by.

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  18. I was wondering if you would give permission for my district translator to put the instructions for the Summer Break Review into Spanish for us? We have a lot of ELL families that would work with their children with this great packet but wouldn't understand the instructions.

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  19. Would you happen to have an editable version of the calendar/guide? My standards are a bit different and I’d like to add/change that. (For example, our kiddos have to count and identify to 110.). Thanks! -Jennifer

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