The end of the school year can feel chaotic at times. You’ve got assessments to finish, field day coming up, and endless interruptions from assemblies to school-wide theme days!
Your students are full of energy… and let’s be honest, so are you.
But instead of filling the last few weeks with random time-fillers, why not stretch a good read-aloud into something a little more meaningful (and fun)?
Let me let you in on one of my favorite teacher tricks:
End-of-year (chapter book) read alouds = calm kids + party potential.
Yep. It’s that simple.
Reading a chapter book at the end of the year not only gives your students something to look forward to each day, but it can also help ease the transition into summer by keeping things structured and calm.
And the best part?
If the book has a G-rated movie to go with it, you’ve got a built-in theme for an easy end of year class party. 🎬📚
Here are some of my favorite read alouds and easy end of year class party ideas:
🍬 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Party Idea: Candy Party + Movie Day
After finishing this classic, host a simple “Candy Factory” party. Let students bring in a small bag of their favorite candy or provide a mix yourself. (I love to get all the Wonka candy from the store so students feel like they’re tasting the candy from the movie.) Put out paper bags and let them create their own Wonka treat bag.
Watch the original Charlie and the Chocolate Factory movie (the 1971 version is G-rated), and boom…your party is done. 🍭
🧩 The Tale of Despereaux
Party Idea: Mini Medieval Banquet + Mouse Ears + Movie Day
If your students fall in love with brave little Despereaux, you’ve got the perfect excuse for a “Medieval Banquet.” Set up a few tables with cheese cubes, grapes, and crackers. These are super simple snack ideas that feel fancy in the eyes of your students.
🐭Have kids wear homemade mouse ears (headbands + paper!) while you play the movie (rated G). Bonus points if you can dim the lights and use battery candles to set the mood. 🕯️🧀
🚒 Because of Winn-Dixie
Party Idea: Southern Picnic + Dog Stuffies + Movie Day
This one’s perfect if you want to sneak in some emotional literacy along with a charming story. After reading the book, let students bring a favorite dog or other stuffy from home. Cover desks with tablecloths, serve lemonade and store-bought mini sandwiches or snack crackers, and enjoy a “Southern Picnic” right in your classroom.
Note: The movie is rated PG, so you’ll want to double-check school policy and/or send home a permission slip. 🐶🍋
🖋️Frindle
Party Idea: Word-Invention Contest + Pen Party
You know how students love to make up new words anyway? Now you can make it educational! After reading Frindle, hold a word-invention contest. Have students create their own words, write definitions, and illustrate them.
Celebrate with a Pen Party—pass out fun pens, let them decorate pencil cases, or even write stories using their invented words. This one is super low-prep but high-fun! 🖊️💡
🐷🕸️ Charlotte’s Web
Party Idea: Animal Stuffy Day + Movie Day
This sweet story brings out all the emotions. After reading, have an “Animal Stuffy Day” where students can bring their favorite stuffed animal to school. You could even have them introduce their stuffy to the class and say what animal it is and what it would say if it could talk like Wilbur and Charlotte.
Watch the original animated Charlotte’s Web movie (G-rated) as your final send-off. Bonus: popcorn is always a hit. 🐖🕷️🍿
🌙 Sideways Stories from Wayside School
Party Idea: Wacky Hair Day + Puzzle Stations
Looking for something a little off-the-wall? This zany book is great for keeping older students engaged without overcomplicating your life. After finishing the book, host a Wacky Wayside Day. Let kids come in with silly hairstyles and set up a few fun stations like puzzles, riddles, and brain teasers.
It’s a fun way to build in a little problem solving and teamwork, and it totally fits the tone of the book. 🧩🤪
📚 Other Book + Movie Ideas to Consider:
Looking for a few more options? Some of these books also have G-rated (or school-friendly) movie adaptations and can lead to easy end-of-year fun:
- Matilda → Read aloud, then host a “Matilda’s Magic Day” with a book-themed trivia game and the 1996 movie. (PG)
- Mr. Popper’s Penguins → Host a “Penguin Party” with black-and-white treats and a paper snowflake craft. (PG)
- Stuart Little → Watch the movie after reading, then write letters from Stuart’s point of view. (PG)
- James and the Giant Peach → Make peach-themed snacks (fruit cups or juice!) and decorate paper peaches with favorite scenes. (PG)
- The One and Only Ivan → Quiet movie day with journals: Have students write how they would help Ivan if they were in the story. (PG)
- The BFG → Giant Snacks + Dream Jar Craft (just mason jars + cotton + glitter) → Movie Day (rated PG)
- The Wizard of Oz → Read the classic, then host an “Over the Rainbow” Day with rainbow snacks, a yellow brick road hallway path (just bulletin board paper!), and the G-rated movie.
- Ramona and Beezus → Pajama Day + “Cheesy Squeeze Cheese” Snack + Stuffed Animal Reading Time → Movie Day (rated G)
- Winnie-the-Pooh (original chapter book style) → Bring a Teddy Bear to School Day + Honey Crackers + Quiet Story Stations → Movie Day (rated G)
- Paddington → Tea Party with marmalade toast, fun hats, and polite manners challenge → Movie Day (Paddington 1 is rated G)
- The Secret Garden → Plant-a-Seed Day (cups + potting soil + seeds), flower coloring pages, and a ‘garden’ walk if possible → Movie Day (rated G)
- The Jungle Book → Jungle Safari Day with animal masks, jungle-themed snacks, and a viewing of the G-rated animated movie.
- The Little Mermaid (Hans Christian Andersen’s version) → Under-the-Sea Day with ocean-themed crafts, sea creature snacks, and the G-rated animated movie.
- The Sword in the Stone → Medieval Day with simple crown-making crafts, a “knight school” obstacle course, and the G-rated movie.
- The Fox and the Hound → Friendship Day with buddy activities, storytelling sessions, and the G-rated film.
- Robin Hood → Adventure Day with archery games (using safe materials), storytelling, and the G-rated animated film.
- The Black Stallion → Horse Day with horse-themed crafts, a discussion on horse care, and the G-rated movie.
Quick Teacher Tip 💡
You don’t need to carve out a lot of time to make this work.
Use your transition times—coming in from recess, lining up for specials, or that last stretch before dismissal.
Just five minutes here and there really adds up!
Your students will be hooked on the story, and you’ll love how it calms the room right when you need it most.
So…pick a book! Read a little bit each day. Build the excitement. And let the story lead to the celebration.
Whether it’s a themed snack, a simple craft, or a classroom movie day, it doesn’t take much to make an end of the school year memory!
