I always get teary eyed, but I haven't CRIED with for-real wet tears running down my cheeks and sniffles since my first year teaching ended in 2007!
Well, yesterday I cried. And cried. It was so hard to say goodbye to my kiddos... especially since I've had half of them for two years! I was blessed with a very special group this past year and I'm going to miss them!
I do teach summer school, which begins on Monday... and I do have three of my own kiddos in my class, so I'll get to be with a few of my friends for the rest of June anyway.
On a brighter note, I had been working on a "silent letter pack" for a looooong time. It was supposed to be finished so I could use it when I introduced this a few months back and I just wasn't inspired enough. Well, I've gotten little bursts of inspiration every here and there and last night I finished it! I especially love the "Papa Gnome's Comedy Club" activity- 12 riddles that have answers that rhyme and include silent letters. Can you guess the answer to this one? What do you call a tiny, chubby flying insect? Go to the end of the post for the answer!
Check it out on TpT or Teacher's Notebook
And last... I'd love to hear about any "last day traditions" your school has. At my school, we go out and wave goodbye to the buses on the last day. I love doing that! This year we also water ballooned our students- we threw the balloons at the ground and not at the kids... but I did get my sweetheart who gave me a run for my money at times!
And where I student taught, the 5th graders did one final walk of the halls and took carnations to all of their former teachers on the last day of school! Just leave me a comment with your e-mail and share your tears or traditions!
Answer to the riddle... A fat gnat!
Our kiddos go to "The Big School" after second grade. We are a k-8 district and I teach at the primary center. So, our amazing principal does a second grade send off with a slide show featuring our second graders from k-2. Then the K and 1st students sing "You've Got a Friend and Me" and read a good bye poem. Last year, my first year, I made it out of there with dry eyes. This year I did not. I had full on tears rolling. I think last year was so stressful for me that I really didn't have a chance to really enjoy my kids. My second year was more relaxed and I gave myself a chance to really get to know my kids. I'm so thankful that I get the opportunity to interact with children on such a personal level. I hope my love for teaching never fades and I never lose sight of what teaching is about: making meaningful connections with kids that last beyond their current grade level. I'm glad to hear that I am not the only softy who cried. lol
ReplyDeleteI teared up this year on my last day of school. My students were just so precious. I am sad they won't be mine anymore.
ReplyDeleteAPril
Wolfelicious
You're not alone. I cried. Yesterday was not only my last day of school, but it was my last day at this school, in this state. After 4 years of life in NC, my hubby and I are packing up to move back north near family. I was doing fine until one of my little girls started balling. She was still crying when I put her on the bus and they even had to call me over to the bus to try and calm her down because she was so upset! Poor thing. Now, looking ahead to what life may bring. :)
ReplyDeleteTales of a Teacherista
I cried but it was because I was so glad I made it. Another teacher asked if I was glad it was the last day and I burst into tears, I know it was a hard year but I was surprised at the outburst.
ReplyDeleteSome years I feel so sad when they go, that one more little hug gets me Geary.
Jill
Bubbalulu.blogspot.com
I meant teary.
ReplyDeleteNo tears. I tried. I cried the next day in the privacy of my home.
ReplyDeleteLove the carnation tradition!!!!!!!
Nothing special like that where I am -- we just go out to Happy Hour!!!!!!
Love your blog! New follower!
ReplyDeleteI cried and cried and cried the last day! I couldn't stop, and neither could any of my coworkers. I don't know why this year was so different, but I guess it just shows how much we love our little ones!
ReplyDeleteLora
Mrs. Webster’s Classroom Connections
I'm not a big crier, but I was still a little sad to my babies go. This year was a little rough, but that doesn't make me miss them any less.
ReplyDeleteSam
You're not the only one....I cried and cried like a big baby. Infront of kids and parents no less- it was time to tell them bye and that I adored them and I lost it. :?
ReplyDeleteI love the fifth grade walk idea. I might have to share and start that tradition at our school. That would be beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI did not cry today (which was our last day) but I cried yesterday during our kindergarten celebration (graduation style). It never fails. When I see them walk across that stage with their big smiles as their names are called. It kills me every year. I am so proud of them that the tears just start flowing.
Regarding Fifth grade, our school also does an annual fifth grade picnic, silhouettes of them adorn the stage on the last day of school during their celebrations and our school news does a musical montage of pictures of the fifth graders on the morning news (I always cry during that too).
Lastly, yes, the entire staff come out to wave to the buses on the last day and as soon as they are gone...Kool and the Gang's Celebration begins playing over the loudspeaker as we dance in the hallways. It is great!
Have a great summer break!
Ann
I just finished my student teaching and cried on my last day...I can't imagine when I've been with the kids all year and not just 4 months :/
ReplyDeleteJust started a new blog and would love some love over there!
http://crayonspencilspaper.blogspot.com/
I cried as did all of the fellow teachers, including the lone guy, because it was our last time we would ever see children again in the school and we do not know what next year holds. Our district voted last week to close our school down and move everyone to the other elementary in the district. Jobs are up in the air. It is so sad,, but there is a plan in all of this and it will all work out.
ReplyDeleteHeidi
My (Not So) Elementary Life
I did cry mostly because a dad wrote me a heartfelt note about appreciating all that I had done for his son, and that I had helped his son trust women again. Unfortunately this little guy had been abused by his mom as a toddler. He's a third grader now and I had him the last two years - he has come so far. This is what teaching is all about....
ReplyDeletelearninginthelittleapple.blogspot.com
We also go out and wave to the buses. We have a clap out for the 5th graders on their last official day. The music teacher always plays enney shoppers!) recording of the Hallelujah Chorus on the PA with an announcement that the "magic number: (JC Penney shoppers will understand) is 74! I was sad to lose this group. I loved them and will really miss them.
ReplyDeleteI have yet to cry, usually because my co-worker is so busy crying that somebody has to keep it together :) The funny thing is she complained the most all year long about her kids but the minute school was ending she was a faucet! On our last day of school very few children show up for some reason. Not sure if parents are starting vacation early, maybe they have graduation for older siblings or whatever, but I usually have a big handful absent that last day. In order for my friends not to feel sad about missing their friends and being at school, we usually have fun with cleaning the tables with shaving cream, watching movies and eating snacks. I also let each kiddo take a ziploc bag and go nuts taking our "community" supplies home. All those 1/2 used glue bottles, stubby crayons, paper scraps and stumpy pencils are gold for my students since most live in poverty and don't have neato supplies like this at home (a local church donates the supplies at the beginning of the year so the kids don't even bring any). They are thrilled to make their own bag of goodies to help keep them occupied over the summer and I am thrilled not to have to throw it all away!
ReplyDeleteJennifer @ Herding Kats In Kindergarten
ingen77@yahoo.com
We have a clap out where we line the halls and clap and cheer as the 5th graders walk out. I cry every year, but some a little more than others. This will be one of those years. I love my class.
ReplyDeleteAndrea
We are a k-2 building so each year the kindergarten and first graders stand out in the hallway and clap us out. We usually play celebration through the speakers and the kids clap and cheer. This year my class made a banner to carry as we walked through the hallways. I always get a little emotional as we walk through and say goodbye!
ReplyDeleteI cry every single year! What can I say? I'm a sap I guess!
ReplyDeleteLearning With Susie Q
susieqsclass@gmail.com
I was a big cry baby this year. Multiple rounds of tears and much more than usual. I guess this is what happens when you roll with 11 of your cutie-pies and manage to snag nine new kiddos who are sweeter than sweet. I miss them so much already. This class set the bar oh-so high. They are the crew to beat :) I blogged about your post today . . . sharing your end of the year story is the best therapy around!
ReplyDeleteKelley Dolling
Teacher Idea Factory
You are not alone!! I was in tears before the 9AM bell on Friday! It is so easy to get attached and so hard to let them go!
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Oh yes, I was a big ol' blubbering mess! I actually moved away, so I knew that I wasn't going to see any of those kids ever again..and that made me soooo sad! I also had a dad that came in just to thank me personally, and then he cried, so I cried! It was a mess :)
ReplyDeleteNatalie
TeacheryTidbits
Last year = tears of joy ...
ReplyDeleteTHis year = tears of sadness ... I will MISS these kiddos! I definitely think it depends on the class. I was good until at 5th grade graduation {what I teach} the principal had all our kids stand and thank us for teaching them. Good grief. :)
Yep, I will miss this lot deeply. Everything and everyone really gelled this year. There are some big friendship shoes to fill next year. Love your blog!
ReplyDeleteBrynley
Brynley's Brainstorms
Happy Blog Birthday! I'm a new follower to your blog and I put your button right on my blog. You've been inspiring for several months, now. Thanks!!
ReplyDeleteSorry I am just now reading this post - I cried this year because it was the last day in my current building. I had been in that building for 14 years - its where everything started for me - and its going to be torn down! Don't get me wrong - I am very excited and blessed to be moving to a new building with all the bells and whistles but the building I am leaving has so much character and so many memories......
ReplyDelete