5-4-3-2-1 Go!

I named this activity this way because I ask my students to write down the following
on a piece of paper:

5 difficult vocabulary words they have learned in class and what they mean

4 things they love about the textbook

3 classroom activities or projects they enjoyed the most and why

2 things they want to say to their classmates

1 thing they want to tell their teacher

After a specified time, I call on some students to read before the class what they
have written.

How to Survive Teacher Mel’s English

Class

At the end of every year, I let my class write letters to next year’s incoming class
about me and my classroom. We call it “How to Survive Teacher Mel’s English
Class” which could either be serious or funny, but they should be informative. My
advanced students work in groups and create a handbook containing helpful tips,
information and advice for the incoming groups.

The following year, I have the new students read them on the first day of school
and we talk about what the letters or the handbooks said about my class, and how
that makes them feel. It is a great way to set classroom rules and expectations.

9. Write a Self-introduction for the New

Teacher

My favorite part of the job is getting to know my students because I believe that
understanding students is essential to teaching. During my first year of teaching, a
colleague of mine was so kind to show me my students previous works including
some information about them. Because of that, I was able to know more about their
interests and what motivated them to learn English.

Now, I try to do the same for the incoming teachers of my classes. At the end of the
year, I have the students write letters introducing themselves to their next
teachers. Even students at the beginning stages of learning English can share
information about their families, hobbies, interests and experiences. This way,  their
future teachers can start the new school year knowing a little something about
them.

Open the Class Time Capsule

I love to kick off the new school year by creating a class time capsule. The end of
school year is exactly the time to unseal them and let my students discover which
predictions and goals they had made actually came true!

It is amazing how things change in less than a year especially with their height,
weight or even penmanship. It is always a delight for me to see their varied
reactions.

If you want to make a class time capsule for the coming year, you may check out
this post.