Why Our Last Day in K is the Perfect End-of-Year Read-Aloud

The end of the school year is a whirlwind of emotions. One minute you’re collecting glue sticks from the bottom of desks, and the next, you’re holding back tears during the last class song. For Kindergarten teachers and parents alike, it’s a time of bittersweet goodbyes, proud reflections, and a sprinkle of chaos. But one of the most grounding, meaningful things you can do during this transition? Read. Together. That’s where Our Last Day in K: How We Say Goodbye as We Walk Away steps in like a comforting friend who knows exactly what to say.

This picture book celebrates all things Kindergarten. It captures kids’ emotions as they take that big step toward first grade, with rhyming text, colorful pages, and a reassuring tone that makes even the wobbliest little hearts feel ready for what’s next.

Why Read-Alouds Matter at the End of the Year

There’s something magical about sitting in a circle, opening a well-loved book, and letting the rhythm of a story guide your classroom. Especially at the end of the year, when everything is buzzing with energy, read-alouds create calm, connection, and a shared experience that grounds everyone. But beyond the moment of peace, reading books like Our Last Day in K gives young children the language they need to understand what’s happening around them.

Transitions can be tricky, even when they’re exciting. One minute, your students are pros at classroom routines. Next, they face new expectations, new teachers, and new environments. A read-aloud like this offers a mirror for their feelings and a gentle reminder that it’s okay to be nervous, proud, and sad all at once. It validates their emotional experience in a way that worksheets and countdown calendars just can’t.

Here’s why it works so well:

• It validates their feelings, from nervousness to excitement.
• It gives structure to your goodbyes, making the moment feel special, not scary.
• It creates space for reflection, something even 5- and 6-year-olds crave more than we realize.

How to Incorporate the Book into Your Final Week

By the last week of school, everyone is running on leftover juice boxes and hope. You’re managing emotions, cleaning out cabinets, and trying to squeeze in meaningful activities that don’t involve glitter explosions or twenty-five kids begging for popsicles. What you need are easy, intentional ideas that create lasting memories, and this book delivers.

Our Last Day in K can be seamlessly woven into your final week plans. Whether you read it during morning meetings, use it as inspiration for a writing prompt, or pair it with creative keepsake activities, it’s a flexible resource that helps anchor those last few days with heart. It’s not just another story. It’s a conversation starter, a memory maker, and a farewell ritual rolled into one.

1. Morning Meeting Conversation Starter

Start your morning meeting by reading the book aloud and inviting students to share how they feel about the end of Kindergarten. You’ll be amazed at how honest and insightful their responses can be. Prompt them with questions like, “What will you miss most?” or “What’s something you’re excited about in first grade?” It’s a great way to create space for emotions and honor each child’s experience.

2. Literacy Connection

Take the rhyming text and turn it into a classroom writing project. Kids can write their own “goodbye poems” or “Kindergarten memory books.” Use sentence starters like “This year I learned…” or “My favorite part of K was…” for a low-prep writing activity that doubles as a sweet end-of-year keepsake for parents.

3. Book + Companion Pack = Classroom Magic

One of the best things about Our Last Day in K is that it comes with a ready-to-use companion activity pack. Seriously, it’s a teacher’s dream. It includes:

• End-of-Year Interview – Kids fill out their favorites, proud moments, and hopes for next year. These make great bulletin board displays or portfolio additions.
• Memory Mural – Let students draw or write about their favorite memory from the year and compile them into a big class mural. It’s the perfect backdrop for your last-day photo ops.
• Sparkly Star Keepsake – Students decorate a star to represent their favorite memory from this year. Laminate them or add glitter for that magical touch (if you dare).

4. Quiet Time Anchor

Set up a “reflection reading nook” with Our Last Day in K and other end-of-year books. Some students may not feel ready to share out loud but will process their feelings quietly through independent reading. It’s a calm, comforting space where the message of the story can settle in a little deeper.

Social-Emotional Learning Built Right In

As much as we focus on academics in Kindergarten—reading, counting, writing names—the emotional growth we witness is just as significant. The ability to make friends, share, recover from mistakes, and say goodbye gracefully are huge life skills, and Our Last Day in K supports every one of them.

This book gently teaches children to name their feelings, embrace change, and find pride in how far they’ve come. With simple, accessible language and bright, engaging illustrations, it opens the door to deeper conversations about what it means to grow, to leave something behind, and to feel good about moving forward.

Plus, for the shy or uncertain kids who don’t always speak up during big transitions, having a shared story helps them feel seen and supported without the pressure of having to articulate every emotion on their own.

Ready for What’s Next

Saying goodbye doesn’t have to be heavy. It can be joyful, reflective, and it can even be fun. Our Last Day in K is more than just a story; it’s a meaningful way to wrap up a year of learning, laughter, and growth. It gives your students a shared moment to celebrate what they’ve done and to get excited about what’s to come.

Whether you’re a teacher looking for the perfect end-of-year activity or a parent wanting to mark this moment with something special, this book—and its thoughtful companion activities—will become a staple for years to come.

So cue the tissues, pass the markers, and get ready to walk away with smiles, stories, and stars in your pockets.

Did you know I have written other books?
Check out In Our Classroom: How We Learn in Our Own Way and Back from Break: Learn and Play.