3 Mistakes I Made at the End of the School Year (and What I Wish I Knew)

Let’s be honest: teaching in May and (even June) is a different kind of challenge.

I remember my first few years in the classroom thinking, “Once testing is over, I’ll finally get to breathe a little.” But what I quickly learned is that the last few weeks of school come with their own kind of chaos—shifting schedules, field trips, assemblies, and students who are halfway out the door mentally.

I didn’t always handle it well. In fact, I made a lot of mistakes that left me (and my students) feeling more frazzled than fulfilled.

If you’re heading into the final stretch of the year, I wanted to share 3 end-of-year mistakes I made with you (maybe you will relate!) — and more importantly, what I wish I had done instead. Learn from my mistakes!

Mistake #1: I Overplanned When Everyone Was Already Overloaded

In my effort to “make every moment count,” I crammed the final weeks with elaborate projects, full-length novel studies, and and essays… and these did not match the energy my students (or I) had left.

I thought if I kept things structured and academic, I’d keep my students focused. What actually happened? They tuned out, I got frustrated, and we limped to the finish line.

👉 What I Wish I Knew:
At the end of the year, simple is key. Students still need structure, yes—but they also need space to reflect, celebrate, and feel like they’ve accomplished something.

That’s why inside the Stellar Literacy Collective, we have created a collection of print-and-go resources that are purposeful, like our Reading Challenges and Book Talk Projects. These activities still reinforce comprehension, vocabulary, and speaking/listening skills—but they do it in a way that’s low-stress and genuinely fun. (Exactly what I needed back then!)

Mistake #2: I Treated May Like It Was September

You know that crisp, fresh energy in the fall when routines are new and everyone is motivated? Yeah… that does not exist in May. 😅

I used to make the mistake of introducing new “fun” routines or assigning unfamiliar tasks that required a lot of front-loading. My students were mentally checked out—and I was surviving, not thriving…

👉 What I Wish I Knew:
Use what’s already working. This is the perfect time to lean into routines your students know and love — sentence writing, vocabulary, or even small group routines. Instead of new systems, I wish I would have used familiar formats to go deeper.

For example, if students are used to turn-and-talks, I think having them discuss why a character’s perspective changed across a book is such an impactful way to take this routine just a step deeper. If they are used to a writing routine, do in a different format! Try typing or having them create a visual to go with it. It doesn’t have to be over the top.

Inside the Stellar Literacy Collective, we include extension resources like our Elevate Your Thinking prompts that are perfect for this time of year — familiar enough for students to jump in, but open-ended enough to spark real thinking and reflection.

Mistake #3: I Forgot to Make Space for Connection

In all the hustle to “wrap things up,” I missed opportunities to connect. I was racing to finish grading, update portfolios, and organize my classroom. I thought I was doing what needed to be done — but what I really needed was to slow down and celebrate the people in the room.

👉 What I Wish I Knew:
The end of the year isn’t just about closure, it’s about celebration! Your students have grown. You’ve grown. And while instruction still matters, so does connection.

A few things our members have shared with us that work for this at the end of the year are:

End-of-Year Book Talks: Student Favorites Spotlight: Invite students to choose one of their favorite books from the year and prepare a short book talk to “sell” it to their classmates. They can share why they loved it, what kind of reader might enjoy it, and a teaser that leaves others wanting to read more (no spoilers!).
- This activity promotes oral language development, a key component of the Science of Reading, by helping students strengthen expressive language, summarize texts, and communicate ideas clearly. Bonus: It’s an authentic way for students to practice speaking and listening standards while building community around books.
Reflect and Set Summer Reading Goals: Have students complete a reading reflection where they look back on their reading growth and set a personal goal for summer. You might ask:
- What book this year changed how you think about reading?
- What genre did you enjoy the most?
- What’s one type of book or author you’d like to try this summer?
  Then, encourage students to make a short summer reading plan, including a list of 2–3 books they’d love to read. This activity is a great way to close the loop on a year of literacy learning while planting the seed for future independence.

These moments don’t take a ton of prep—but they make a lasting impression.

Book talks are a great end of year reflection activity for students.

If You’re Feeling the End-of-Year Crunch… You’re Not Alone

I remember the end of the year feeling messy, emotion, chaotic, joyful, and exhausting at all at once.

Looking back, I wish I had known that it was okay to let go of the pressure to do all the things. What your students will remember most is how it felt to share their reading journey, reflect on their growth, and spend those final weeks feeling proud of what they accomplished with a teacher who celebrates them … and that is YOU!

If you’re looking for resources that help you do just that, while keeping things light, fun, and purposeful — come join us inside the Stellar Literacy Collective. You’ll find everything you need to finish the year strong… and maybe even enjoy it.

Love learning on the go? The Stellar Teacher Podcast is for you! Join Sara & Emily to chat about the biggest mistakes they made teaching writing, and what they would do differently now!
Want to grab our Book Talks resource? Head over to TPT and grab it to wrap up your school year.
Join us for our June 2025 STC Book Study! Connect with fellow teachers, grow your literacy knowledge, and get inspired—all on your own summer schedule. 👉 Save your spot now!