Over the years, my students have taught me how to fish, collect baseball cards, speak Spanish, and play the piano. To motivate my students to read during the summer, I invite them to share their favorite books with classmates. Students choose a book and sign up for a time slot. I type up a list of the titles and authors and make copies. During their book talks, students share an exciting part of the book without giving away the ending.
Classmates listen and circle titles that sound interesting.
My students and I create a video keepsake to document our school year. First, I ask each student to recall, through drawing and writing, memories of the year such as their favorite activities, first impressions, and funniest incidents. Then students make short on-camera statements about these memories. We watch the completed tape during the last week of school, and make a few copies for students to borrow. Have students jot down specific thoughts on paper.