Fun Summer Does NOT Have to End!

We all know that summer goes by SO FAST! The school year sneaks up on you, doesn’t it? One minute you’re sipping iced coffee on the porch (for me that is my pink drink😜), living your best sandals and sunglasses life, and the next you’re staring at a classroom full of fresh pencils, fresh faces, and a planner that’s already filling up (honestly an amazing view in my mind, but a little overwhelming).

And here’s the thing — you aren’t the only ones who don’t want to let go of summer. Your students? They’ve been swimming, staying up late, eating popsicles at 10 a.m., and soaking up all that freedom. Going straight from pool days to long division can feel like whiplash for everyone.

But we don’t have to slam the brakes on the fun just because the calendar says “school’s in session.” Keep the fun summer vibes going!! How do we go about this, well I will give you the details! Below you will find some of my favorite ways to keep summer fun going into the first weeks of school.

1. Kick Off with Tie-Dye Smocks (my students LOVED this!)

Before the chaos of the year sets in, bring in a burst of color and creativity with a tie-dye day.

• Give each student a plain white t-shirt or apron.

• Break out the rubber bands and dyes, and let them go wild with their designs.

• These smocks become their official art project shirts for the year! No more “oops, I got paint on my favorite shirt!” panic.

It’s messy (in the best way), sets a fun tone from the start, and gives students something they’ll use and remember all year long.

2. Bring in Those Summer Moments

Little traditions can go a long way in keeping the energy high. Think about small, summer-inspired events that students can look forward to:

• Friday Read-Aloud Picnic: Spread blankets outside and enjoy a story in the sunshine (take advantage of the good weather while you can).

• Morning Music: Kick off the day with a happy playlist while students unpack. This is something I did all year, and my students loved it!

• Summer Show & Tell: For the first few weeks, let students share their favorite summer memory or something they found/did over summer!

3. Enjoy the Outdoors

If I had it my way, school would be outside all day everyday! Some schools do this, but many do not haha. With that being said being outdoors can work wonders for your class. Get outside as much as you can!! Think about it. Your students probably spent a majority of their summer outside, so keep it going. If you can't get outside, bring the outside in! Open the windows and bring plants in!

4. Keep Movement Alive

Summer is all about running, swimming, biking (well it should be atleast!). Carry that over into the school year with more movement breaks. Quick stretches, dance parties, scavenger hunts around the room anything to get kids up and moving. One activity that I have loved for getting students moving is mystery coloring task cards. These allow students to move around the classroom while answering review questions and then they get to color in a mystery coloring page!

5. Make a Yearlong Classroom Bucket List (AHHH This is so much fun!!)

Just like a summer bucket list, brainstorm a Classroom Bucket List together during the first week.

• Add things like “STEM challenge day,” “popsicle party,” or “read outside under a tree.”

• Spread them out across the year so there’s always something fun to look forward to.

Don't let the summer fun end! So grab your tie-dye kit, crank up the fun music, and let’s keep the summer vibes rolling all year long.

Happy Teaching!!

Alyssa