The end of the school year is such a unique season in the music room. Excitement is high, routines are a little looser, and let’s be honest—both you and your students are counting down the days. But that doesn’t mean the music learning (and fun!) has to stop.
If you’re looking for meaningful, low-stress ways to wrap up your year, I’ve got you covered. Here are five tried-and-true ideas to make the last few weeks memorable, musical, and joy-filled.
#1: Go Outside
If it’s warm and sunny, take advantage of the beautiful weather! Head outside with your students and play some of their favorite singing games, or play with a parachute! The open space gives them room to move, and the fresh air works wonders for energy and engagement.
Some student favorites include:
You might even bring a portable speaker or hand drum to help keep a steady beat while you lead.
#2: Choice Day
Let your students take the lead! Set aside a class period where students can vote on their favorite activities from the year. Whether it’s playing instruments, playing the cup game, freeze dance, or a favorite video, giving them choice is an empowering way to wrap things up.
You could even create a class “music menu” and let them choose from a few pre-approved options. It’s a great way to celebrate their growth and give them a say in how they spend their last few days in music.
#3: Choice Centers
If you’re feeling brave (and your class can handle a little more independence), try a centers day! Set up stations with different musical activities and let students rotate through.
Some center ideas:
Instrument exploration (xylophones, boomwhackers, or percussion)
Rhythm or melody games on devices
Picture book corner
Ukuleles
This gives students the freedom to explore while keeping your structure and expectations intact. For more information about choice centers, check out this blog post.
#4: Play Games
Whether you play review games to review concepts they’ve learned over the year, or you play games like this end of the year bingo game, the end of the year is a great time for games!
Games are more than just a way to pass the time—they reinforce learning in an engaging, low-pressure environment. After months of hard work, students love the chance to move, collaborate, and show off what they’ve learned in a playful way.
#5: End of the Year Music Escape Room
Want to finish the year with something super engaging? Try an End of the Year Music Escape Room! These are always a hit with students—they get to solve puzzles, use what they’ve learned, and work together toward a goal.
My End of the Year Music Escape Room is designed to review musical concepts while keeping the fun front and center. It’s easy to set up, stress-free for you, and seriously exciting for your students. (My students would come back from summer break and ask when we would do an escape room next!)
Which of these ideas are you most excited to try in your music room? Or do you have a favorite end-of-year activity your students beg to do every year?
Let me know in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!
Happy Teaching!
