Friday was the last day of school. It is always difficult to say good-bye to a class that has grown so much academically, socially and emotionally. After 12 years of teaching, it does not get any easier.
We started our last day together by doing the calendar one last time. We read the book, Goodnight Moon, and then gathered into our Sharing circle. With yarn, we made our goodbye spider web. Each person took the ball of yarn, wrapped the yarn around their hand a couple of times and didn't let go. The child said goodbye to one thing in the room. Still hanging on to the yarn, the student threw the ball of yarn to another person in the circle who repeated the procedure. When all the students had shared, a beautiful web connected everyone in our class together.
The spider web was used several times throughout the year. On Thanksgiving, it was used to share things we were thankful for and on Valentine's Day, we shared things that we loved.
After the web, we returned to our seats to draw and label 4 things we wanted to say goodbye to. When completed, the students shared their paper with 3 other students.
For story time, we read the book, Miss Bindergarten Celebrates the Last Day of Kindergarten.
Earlier in the week, we made a Kindergarten Memory Book. Today we finished the last thing in the book. We collected our classmates autographs. The children love this! I had to convince one little guy that he was to write his name in all the books and not the name of the student seeking his autograph. Autographs were a new concept for us!
To end our morning, I had a give away. I put all the posters, interactive writing pieces, class books and any other things I don't want any longer in the middle of the circle. I pulled student's names and they could choose one item to keep. I am always amazed at how excited they are to be able to keep these things, and I'm always surprised at what they choose.
After cleaning the room, it was time to say goodbye to my little friends and close the room for another year.
Summer! Yes! Here I come!
