7 Ways to Keep Students Engaged at the End of the School Year

The end of the school year can feel exciting, emotional, and honestly… a little wild! As summer approaches, students often have extra energy and shorter attention spans. The good news? A few simple activities can help keep students motivated and make those final weeks more enjoyable for everyone.

1. Plan Simple Theme Days

Theme days instantly boost excitement and participation. A fun option is a Rubber Duck Day with duck-themed writing prompts, games, crafts, or small prizes. Students love having something special to look forward to!

2. Create a Classroom Mini Mall

Turn positive behavior into motivation by letting students earn classroom “money” throughout the week. At the end of the year, students can shop at a mini mall filled with small prizes, coupons, pencils, stickers, or donated items.

3. Make End-of-Year Memory Books

Memory books help students reflect on friendships, accomplishments, and favorite classroom moments. They also create a meaningful keepsake families will treasure.

4. Add Movement Activities

Students often need more movement this time of year. Try partner games, scavenger hunts, relay races, or quiz-quiz-trade activities to keep learning active and engaging.

5. Use Easy Craftivities

Hands-on projects are perfect for keeping students focused during busy weeks filled with assemblies and schedule changes. Simple writing crafts combine creativity with academic skills.

6. Keep Routines Predictable

Even during the excitement of the final weeks, predictable routines help students stay calm and successful. Keeping a simple structure can make the classroom feel much more manageable for both teachers and students.

7. Celebrate Classroom Successes

Create classroom awards, compliment chains, or “best memories” discussions to help students feel proud of their growth throughout the year.

A perfect addition to your last day of school:

The last days of school don’t have to feel stressful. With a little creativity, you can turn the end of the year into a time filled with fun, reflection, and positive memories your students will always remember!

With faith and friendship,

Monica

🎒 5 Must-Dos and 5 May-Dos Before Heading Back to School

Whether you're sipping your final iced coffee of summer or already knee-deep in laminating, the back-to-school season has a way of sneaking up fast! Here's a simple list of 5 must-dos and 5 may-dos — to help you focus on what really matters and start the year feeling confident and calm.

✏️ 5 Must-Dos Before Back to School

These are the non-negotiables. Taking care of these will make your first week go smoother and set the tone for a strong school year.

1. Prep Your First Week Plans

You don’t need to plan the whole semester, but having your first few days mapped out allows you to focus on building relationships, teaching routines, and setting expectations.

2. Set Up Your Classroom Basics

Get the essentials in place: bulletin boards, student name tags, seating, supply areas. This helps students feel welcome and ready to learn on day one.

3. Review IEPs, 504s, & Class Lists

Take time to understand your students’ needs ahead of time so you can start supporting them right away.

4. Check Tech & Logins

Make sure your classroom tech is working and you’re able to access your district platforms, gradebook, and learning management system.

5. Rest & Reset

Don’t underestimate this one! Prioritize rest, movement, sunshine, or whatever fills your cup. A calm, centered teacher is a gift to every classroom.

🌟 5 May-Dos to Start the Year Strong

1. Prep a Go-To Outfit

Laying out your first day outfit takes one decision off your plate — and helps you start the year feeling confident and pulled together.

Still looking for that perfect back-to-school teacher look? Find some great additions to your wardrobe on Poshmark! (affiliate link + sign-up bonus for you and me)

2. Stock Your Teacher Emergency Kit

Tuck away a few personal essentials in your desk or bag — lip balm, hand lotion, deodorant, extra snacks, breath mints, and whatever keeps you feeling human at 2 p.m.

3. Draft a Parent Welcome Letter

This is a great way to introduce yourself, share classroom expectations, and invite parent communication from the start.

4. Treat Yourself to a Back-to-School Read

Choose a motivational PD book or just a fun novel to spark your brain and remind you why you love to learn, too.

5. Schedule a Fun Night Out (or In!)

Celebrate the new year your way — dinner with friends, a solo movie night, or a relaxing evening doing nothing. You’ve earned it.

By taking care of your must-dos and sprinkling in a few may-dos, you’ll feel ready, refreshed, and excited to meet your new students.

With faith and friendship,

5 Meaningful and Easy Ideas for Vacation Bible School (VBS)

Vacation Bible School is such a special time for kids to grow in faith, build friendships, and have fun!

Whether you're planning a weeklong program at church or helping out with activities at home, here are 5 easy and meaningful ideas to bring your VBS theme to life:

1. Prayer Beach Ball

Grab a beach ball and write a prayer prompt on each color section (like “Thank God for something,” “Pray for someone who is sick,” or “Say something you love about Jesus”). Toss it around, and wherever a child’s thumb lands, that’s the prayer prompt they share!

2. Faith Walk Obstacle Course

Set up a simple obstacle course and have kids try it with and without blindfolds. Use this activity to talk about trusting God to guide us—even when we can’t see the whole path. It’s active, memorable, and ties beautifully into Bible stories about faith.

3. Snack with a Scripture

Turn snack time into a learning moment by attaching short Bible verses to juice boxes or snack bags. Kids can read the verse aloud before eating. It’s a simple way to reinforce the daily message.

4. Jesus Saves Craft (TpT Resource)

This easy-to-assemble craft is a great way for kids to remember that Jesus is our Savior. Kids can decorate it with bright colors, add a photo, and keep it as a reminder of their VBS experience. Perfect for ages 6–10 and simple to prep for a group!

5. Fruits of the Spirit Craft (TpT Resource)

This colorful, hands-on activity helps students reflect on the Fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, and more! Great for a small group or individual station, this craft includes simple cut-and-paste pieces and thoughtful writing prompts.

VBS is about more than just fun—it’s about planting seeds of faith. These simple activities can make the experience even more meaningful and memorable for kids of all ages.

Looking for more easy-prep Christian crafts? You can find the Jesus Saves Craft,  the Fruits of the Spirit Craft, and more in my TpT store!

Wishing you a joyful and faith-filled summer! 🌞✝️

With faith and friendship,

7 Free Things Teachers Can Do on TpT This Summer

Summer is a well-earned time to relax, recharge, and maybe even catch up on a few things you didn’t have time for during the school year. If you’re popping onto Teachers Pay Teachers over break, there are plenty of productive things you can do without spending a dime. Here are some free ways to make the most of your TpT time this summer!

1. Leave Feedback to Earn Credits

Before you start buying anything new, check your My Purchases tab and leave feedback on past resources. TpT gives you credits for every review, which you can apply toward future purchases. It's a quick and easy way to save money—plus, you’re helping out fellow teacher-authors by sharing your thoughts!

2. Search for High-Quality Freebies

TpT is full of amazing free resources! Take some time to search for freebies that will work all year long. Think graphic organizers, classroom management tools, writing prompts, math games—there are so many gems out there. Bonus tip: Once you find them, save them into organized folders on your device or Google Drive so you can grab them quickly when school starts back up.

3. Follow New Sellers

Summer is a great time to explore! As you're browsing, keep an eye out for sellers who match your grade level, teaching style, or curriculum. When you follow a seller, you’ll get updates when they post new products or sales. Some sellers even offer follower freebies or sneak peeks!

4. Build Your Wishlist

Wishlisting now means quicker shopping during the next big TpT sale. Browse your favorite categories and add resources you might want to grab before the year begins. It's like creating your own personalized teacher shopping guide.

5. Organize Your TpT Resources

If you’re anything like me, you’ve downloaded a ton of amazing resources that you haven’t quite filed yet. Take an hour or two to sort through your TpT files and set up folders by subject, month, or standard. Future you will thank you during the school year!

6. Join a TpT Email List or Facebook Group

Many TpT sellers have free email newsletters or teacher Facebook groups where they share tips, freebies, and classroom ideas. Joining a few of these over the summer can be a fun, low-key way to stay inspired and connect with other teachers.

7. Leave Questions for Sellers

If you’ve downloaded something and aren’t sure how to use it, don’t be shy—ask the seller a question! It’s free, and most sellers are more than happy to help you get the most out of their resources.

Summer is your time—whether you’re diving into professional development or just poking around TpT for inspiration. These ideas can help you save money, stay organized, and be ready for a fresh start in the fall… all without spending a single cent.