When it’s the Last Day of School is one of our favorite reading alouds to read at the end of the year. It is a sweet story that is sure to get your students laughing. Teachers can use this book as an opportunity to review everything the class did throughout the year and have students reflect on their own behavior. This book is a great choice for teachers looking for one last read aloud to share with their students before summer vacation. - Jodi and the Starts With a Story Team
SUMMARY
It’s the last day of school and James’ is so excited he runs all the way to school. As a student that typically misbehaves, James’ has big plans for the last day of school. He won’t talk during silent reading, he will complete all his work on time, and thank the lunch ladies in the cafeteria. Throughout the day, James thinks about his exciting plans for summer, like riding bikes, camping, looking for crabs and watching fireworks.
Throughout the school day James is a respectful and well behaved student. When the last bell rings, James gives his teacher Mrs. Bremwood a big hug goodbye. As he leaves the school for summer, James explodes with excitement! This book makes a perfect read aloud for the last day!
USE THIS BOOK TO TEACH:
Even at the end of the year, read alouds can be used to introduce and reinforce important skills and strategies students have been practicing. We selected some of the best skills this book can be used to teach when we created our book companion for When it’s the Last Day of School. Check out some of the lessons that are included!
- Practice students’ visualizing skills by reading the book without showing the illustrations. Ask students to describe what they visualize happening.
- Analyze the illustrations throughout the book and discuss what they can help readers infer and understand about the story.
- Have students write about their favorite memory of the school year.
- Encourage students to write poems describing their feelings about summer.
- Teach a lesson on conjunctions.
- Practice identifying synonyms for common adjectives.
- Have a class discussion on the importance of being respectful.
NO-PREP PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES:
If you are looking for “ready to go” activities for the first day of school, be sure to check out the book companion. With it you’ll receive all of the following resources to align with this specific book:
- comprehension questions
- 30 writing prompts with themed paper
- vocabulary activities
- word study print & go activities
- ideas for grammar lessons with focus sentence printables
- social emotional learning discussion topics
- graphic organizers to target specific comprehension skills and strategies
If you are planning out your last week or day of school, this book companion has the best activities. It will take very little planning on the teacher’s part and students will be engaged in learning. We think this read aloud is a great way to end the school year.
GET THE PRINTABLE ACTIVITIES
ADDITIONAL BOOK SUGGESTIONS
You and your students will also love these similar books:
- Last Day Blues by Julie Danneberg
- A Letter to My Teacher by Deborah Hopkinson
- Lizzie and the Last Day of School by Trinka Hakes Noble
- Mrs. Spitzer's Garden by Edith Pattou
TRY OUT A SAMPLE COMPANION
It's hard to explain how amazing the Starts with a Story book companions are because there is just so much goodness included in each one. It's best if you experience using one for yourself. Sign up below & we'll send you an entire book companion to try out for FREE!
