to bid a special farewell to students at the end of the school year.
Do you have a go-to read aloud for the last day of school? I know there are a few well-known ones out there, and I own a couple of them myself. But the selection of last day of school books had always been lacking in my classroom library. Especially in comparison to my huge collection of back to school books.
And I realize why I’d never really had a favorite book for the end of the school year. Personally, I had never been able to find “the one” that expressed all of the sentiments I wanted to share with my students before saying good-bye. It’s such a bittersweet time, and there wasn’t a book that touched upon all of the messages I wanted to leave them with.
Leaving a Lasting Impression
After spending an entire year together, there is just so much a teacher could say on the last day. To name just a very few things, you might not want your students to leave your classroom for the last time without knowing:
- how proud you are of them
- how much you will miss them
- that you would love for them to come back and visit you
- that you will always be rooting for them, and truly wish them all the best for the future
You may also want to give your class an opportunity to reflect on all of your memories together and all of the special relationships and connections you have made.
And don’t get me wrong. As sad as good-byes can be, I have always been just as excited for the last day of school as the next tired teacher. The last day is also a time to CELEBRATE! It’s important for students to get to share in that as well, especially after the hard work they have done all year.
Last Day of School Book
As I mentioned previously, I had always been unable to find a book that touches upon all of those messages. So I took a cue from one of my favorite childhood authors, the late Beverly Cleary. She said, “If you don’t see the book you want on the shelves, write it.”
I have written what I hope might become your own go-to read aloud for the end of the school year: A Letter From Your Teacher: On the Last Day of School.
I wrote its precursor, A Letter From Your Teacher: On the First Day of School, to help communicate what many teachers want their kids to know when they first become a part of their classroom. In this follow up book for the end of the school year, the intent is for it all to come full circle. It can be read aloud to express the final thoughts and well wishes that many teachers want to leave their students with.
Illustrations by Sandie Sonke
Since first working together on Our Class is a Family, I’ve collaborated with the very talented Sandie Sonke on this book as well. She has helped bring to life many of the universal sentiments that teachers share with students on the last day of school.
Where can I get the book?
Copies are available on Amazon, or through the shop right here on my website.
When ordering direct through the shop, bulk pricing options are available (a great option if gifting copies to your students as end of the year gifts, or ordering together with other teachers at your school)!
And if you’d happen to like additional read alouds geared toward classroom community, this book also comes in a special hardcover bundle through my shop. It’s the best savings on all 5 of my books (you basically end up getting one of the titles for free)!
Book Companion
If you’d like an extension activity to go along with A Letter From Your Teacher on the Last Day of School, the mailbox activity pictured below is available on both TPT and in my shop. It’s perfect for the very last day, or you can even spread it out across multiple days or weeks at the end of the year.
And once you’ve read aloud the book, this extension activity will have an even more special meaning for your students!
You might also want to check out this additional end of the year resource that goes with another one of my books, Our Class is a Family. It’s a Class Family Memory Book, and this blog post has all the details about it. This resource is available on TPT and in my shop too.
A Letter to the Teacher
Teachers like you do so much to make the end of the school year a special time for their students. I hope that this becomes a valuable addition to your collection of last day of school books, as you celebrate with your class and reflect on your time together.
Every school year has its challenges to say the least. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of a relaxing break than teachers! So even though this is a phrase that might have lost a bit of sincerity after being written in many a yearbook, I truly mean it when I say it to you:
Have a great summer!
