End of the Year Slideshow for In-Person or Virtual Celebrations
This end of the year slideshow has been a staple in my end of the year activities over the past 6 years. Each student customizes one slide of the Google Slides presentation with what they’re most proud of and their favorite memories from the year. I have students tell about their favorite book, subject, and memory but you can edit this categories so they fit your class.
When all the slides are finished, I usually have this continuously play during Open House for parents and families to view throughout the night. Students love seeing their slide being projected on our interactive whiteboard. (Pro Tip: If you have the slideshow run continuously, put the slides in order by 1st name so students know when they’re slide is coming up.)
Last year because of COVID, I projected the slideshow during our end of the year celebration over Zoom. Students took turns presenting their slide to the families that were on the video call.
Whatever your situation is, you can adapt how you present it each year.
How can this End-of-the-Year Slideshow be used?
- Project the slideshow in your classroom at your end of the year celebration
- Project the slideshow through a Google Meet/Zoom for parents if they're not allowed at school
- Have the slideshow running continuously in your classroom during Open House
- Print the slides and make a hard-copy memory book for each student if you choose
- Use it a again next year during your end of the year celebrations with families in-person!
Each student slide is extremely easy for students to complete. I’ve had students as young as 1st grade complete it independently and Kindergartners complete it with adult support.
After students complete their slide, I always add a class photo to the cover slide. It’s easy to add additional photos to the photo slides by inserting them directly from my phone.
How Students Customize Their Slide
Each student will customize 1 slide of the presentation. They’ll add:
- Name
- Photo (using the built-in camera or picture saved on the computer)
- What they're most proud of
- Favorite Memory
- Favorite Book
- Favorite Subject
OR CUSTOMIZE THE CATEGORIES HOW YOU’D LIKE (Favorite field trip, favorite project, most important thing I learned, etc.)
“Several of my students are really grieving over the loss of the school year. This resource allows them to collaborate and reflect on memories from their experiences in fifth grade as well as apply writing skills.”
Rachel
For years I’ve done an end of the year slide show, this year having my students contribute to the slide show was 10X more memorable and fun! Loved this! Thanks for making such a cool, valuable resource I will continue to use year after year!
Michelle
Hands down the best product I bought this year! I played the slideshow at Open House and the parents adored it! They loved how it was individualized, yet collaborative at the same time! Thank you so much for sharing this!
Tracy
Wow! I cannot thank you enough for this great activity, but also for the thorough, easy to follow directions! I wasn’t sure I was going to purchase this because I haven’t had much experience with google slides, but your step-by-step directions (with pictures!!!) made this an achievable project for even a novice like me.
