end of year – Page 6 – Pernille Ripp

Some teachers start a countdown, others do a lot of reading. We instead have quite the to-do list to get through before my fabulous 5th graders get to graduate. So beyond the culminating projects we have going on, here are some things that are keeping us busy:

Writing thank you letters. This often overlooked skill is something I put a lot of value in so every year we take the time to thank all of the teachers and people that have helped us have a successful year. I love slipping these into people’s mailboxes.
Write Dear Future Mrs. Ripp’s Students letters. Every year I have my class that is leaving write letters to incoming students. This is way for them to give them top insider information, get them excited and I get to peek at what meant a lot to them in the year. I love handing these to my new students and seeing what they gain from them.
The Top 10. We brainstorm all of the great things we have loved doing through the year and fill a white board with all of them. Students then vote for the top 10 things of the classroom and a committee makes a huge poster for me to put on display for the new year. Again, this is a sneaky way for me to see what really stuck out to students and incoming students cannot wait to figure out what the different things are.
Clean the library and review the books. Not only do students help me get all the books back in the baskets they also get to rate all of the books. If they would not read a book they place it on the carpet and other students can rescue it. However, if no one comes to its rescue that books is given a new home.
How to Flourish in 5th Grade videos. My students have been busy writing scripts, rehearsing them, filming and soon editing videos for the incoming students on a variety of topics ranging from internet safety to how to transition to math (we switch classes). I love seeing what the students wish they had known and also having them use some amazing Adobe software to edit their videos.
Give me your favorite memory… Another committee project where every student has to add their favorite memory to a video. Again students are in charge of making this and I show it in the last days.
My favorite thing about…Every student has to a favorite thing about 3 other students on video. We then edit it together to make a montage of all the things we have loved about each other. This is always very secretive and students don’t know who has them.
Look at our time capsules. At the beginning of the year we do a time capsule with our favorite things at the moment and we also see how tall we are. At the end we remeasure and laugh about how much we have changed or not.
Give me your feedback. Students do a survey rating all of our classes, ranking their favorite assignments and their least favorite. They also give me advice and constructive criticism on what I should change.

So there are just some of the things we have to do. Like I’ve said there is a lot going on in 5th grade and every day counts. I used to have students write letters to their new teachers as well but it doesn’t work so well with the transition to middle school, however in other grades it probably would.

When I decided to change things up in my room, I knew these students would only be mine for a year. I knew that I had those 180 days to make an impression, to plant a seed and help them develop. I knew that I had to let them go some day. As spring break begins tomorrow, the letting go looms nearer and I wonder; what will I pass on?

I will pass on students that want to know what the goal of the assignment is, and not in a confrontational manner, but rather so they have clear expectations and a destination in mind.

I will pass on students who want to create. They want a voice, not just a task.

I will pass on students that know where they work best, and yes some still choose desks, but most do not.

I will pass on students that take ownership of their learning. Again they are partners, not just participants.

I will pass on students that will look for the global connection; that extra element that elevates a lesson.

I will pass on students that are not afraid of technology, its usage, and even know when not to use it.

I will pass on students who expect their voice to be heard and appreciated.

I will pass on students that are not just satisfied with a grade but would rather discuss what they need to change.

I will pass on students that believe in second chances, continued learning, and the power of a group.
I will pass on students who believe in their own self-worth, who believe they can make a difference and that their actions matter.

I will pass on students that have made me a better teacher, a more humble learner, a keener listener, and a kinder heart.

What will you pass on?

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