It’s almost the end of the school year, which feels a little hard to believe! Here’s my end-of-year celebration poem from Stampede, which is now out of print.
When I read this with kids, I have them stomp their feet and trumpet loudly, like stampeding elephants, at the end of the poem.
Does this poem still work this year? I don’t know? If you’re distance learning, does it feel the same? If you’re in the classroom, have you been back such a short time that you don’t WANT to leave? Like all of life, I’m guessing the iconic last day of school is being felt differently this year. Again. Anyway, here’s “Stampede,” featuring art by Steven Salerno. And if you’d like all the poems (text only, not art) from Stampede! Poems to Celebrate the Wild Side of School, just sign up for my educator newsletter.
And if your class decides to write its own version of an end-of-year poem that captures how you feel, I’d love you to tag me if you share it!
[My Classroom Connections posts share a way to connect one of my books or poems to a classroom topic–often something timely that you might be covering in the next month or so. Please share this post if you have educator friends who might be interested–thanks!]
2 Responses
I’ve been teaching both in person and online all year. The year seems to be ending quicker than I would have imagined because in many ways, it’s been a long road. Many of us are ready to finish and start fresh next year. I’m not sure we will hear a stampede, but we will definitely hear a loud sigh of relief. We made it!
Yep, a sigh seems about right. So happy for you and everyone for making it through this year with creativity, compassion, and courage!