We’re missing out on one of the most special times of the year for students… the end of the year, which usually includes field day and an end of year party!
Our administration encouraged us to start thinking about how to host a virtual celebration for students. We’ll be having our virtual party on the last day of school.
Here’s the plan…
My team and I decided to create a little “party in a bag.” You see, I’ll be heading into my classroom in a few days to pack up for the summer. That will include bagging up students’ belongings for them to come and pick up. The “party in a bag” will go INSIDE the bag of students’ belongings, which they will pick up during the last week of school.
My class is going to have a virtual luau. I made this decision based on what I could find on Amazon. I needed stuff that was cheap and could be shipped quickly since I don’t have much time to prepare.
What’s in the bag?
Inside the bag, I’m including an invitation to the party, simply because invitations make every celebration a little more official – right?!
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I’m also including a note to the students. I didn’t take the time to write a personalized note for every child because I’m trying to be kind to myself right now and I know I simply don’t have the time. No note can take the place of a last day together or a true goodbye, anyways.
Each student will receive a lei to wear to the luau. I was really impressed with this set from Amazon (linked right here) – 36 leis for $10, and they were delivered the next day!
They’ll also get a bag of goldfish. (Fish, ocean, luau…. makes total sense, right?) I attached my o-FISH-ally tags to the baggies. I usually use these tags at the beginning of the year, but I’m trying not to reinvent the wheel right now. (The tags are free right here in my TPT store.)
The idea is that they’ll wear the lei and bring their snack to the virtual party. If they don’t, no big deal, but it’s provided if they want it!
I set up a little assembly line in my living room. The bags are certainly not anything fancy, but they were quick and easy!
Party Plans
For the actually party, which will take place during our normal online meeting time on the last day of school, I’ll do my best to make it as fun as possible.
On Fridays, we also share our highs and lows. I’ll let the kids share some highs and lows from the school year. We’ll also talk about summer plans (if there are any…) and I’ll let them ask questions about fourth grade.
We’ll probably also do a few Quizizz games and do some GoNoodle dances before we say goodbye for the summer.
Some other fun activities if you haven’t tried them yet are directed drawings, scavenger hunts, and telling jokes.
Ugh, my heart is breaking just thinking about it! I can’t believe our actual last day together was in early March and – worst of all – we had no idea. Regardless, we’ll make the most of it and continue to learn as we go!
