The Wish Penny: Saying Goodbye To a Student

I’m bummed this week for two reasons.

One is that I have to do report cards. I want to do them thoughtfully and correctly, but I don’t care what anyone says, (you could be the Mary Poppins of teachers), report cards are not fun. Especially when they are a series of a ho-jillion pull-down menus. I once went into labor while writing report card comments. True story.

The other reason I’m bummed is that one of my students is moving away this week.

I want to give her a memorable, fun, proper send off. In the past, my favorite activities for the student’s last day is to make cards, sings songs, have that person get special privileges for the day (like line leader, teacher helper, etc.). But my favorite by far is The Wish Penny. Go grab a tissue now.

(Note: I got this off The Interwebs ages ago, from where, I have no idea. Sorry Wish Penny Idea Creator.) Procure one of those hinged boxes that ring jewelry comes in and put a shiny penny inside. Sometime during the day, morning meeting or closing circle are the best times, sit in a circle with the class. Tell the each of the students to think of one wish that they want to give to the student that’s leaving.

The Wish Penny goes in here!

Students pass around the box and say their wish to the penny. After all of the students have said wishes, close the box and give it to the moving student. That student now has a box full of wishes and there won’t be a dry eye in the room (well, at least an adult dry eye). Every time I’ve done it I’m blown away by the thoughtful and caring wishes the students make for their departing classmate.

But I’m curious…what sort of things do you do for a student that’s leaving? Please share in the comments.

May all of your wishes come true. And may you not go into labor whilst writing your report cards.