This year presents a unique opportunity to investigate the millennium for upper grade levels. For teacher friendly links, including full millennium units for grades 3-6, check out Mr. K's Links 2 Learning 4 Educators . Try to include parents in the planning and organizing of special events as much as possible. Not only will it be helpful to you, but parents also enjoy being part of the classroom experience. It will be helpful for you, as well as your students, to maintain established routines as much as possible over the next few weeks.
Gift giving can be a dilemma as well.
Again, check with your fellow teachers regarding giving students gifts. Often whether to give a gift to your students is an individual decision and most often based on finances. When given a gift from a student, you might want to place it aside and open it later. By doing this, you can open it in private and other children will not be embarrassed by their lack of a gift. If a child expresses a wish that they had a gift for you, suggest that they draw you a picture or write a poem.