The last day of school poses extra challenges for planning activities because most of our supplies are packed up for the year. Plus, keeping the students engaged for the final few weeks is easier to do when you can present something novel and change up your routine. One of my favorite activities that I learned from a colleague is Teach the Teacher! This end-of-year event invites your students to become the experts as they prepare and deliver a mini-lesson on a topic of their choice. It’s a wonderful way to channel students' energy and give them a chance to shine. #endoftheschoolyear #lastdayofschool
Here’s everything you need to know about organizing a successful Teach the Teacher event, plus some fun stories from my own classroom to inspire you.
What Is Teach the Teacher?
Teach the Teacher is a special classroom event where students take on the role of the teacher to share a topic they’re passionate about. Using graphic organizers and tools like brainstorming pages, lesson outlines, and engagement activities, students prepare a short lesson to present to their classmates. It’s a creative and collaborative activity that fosters confidence, public speaking skills, and a sense of accomplishment. Some years, I invite students to present to the whole class. On weeks when we're short on time, I have successfully split students into two groups. I ask the school counselor or a specials teacher to fill in as the "teacher" being taught in the second group since they often don't meet with classes on the last day of school. #teachtheteacher
Planning Your Teach the Teacher Event
Before diving in, here are some tips to help you set the stage for a smooth and successful Teach the Teacher week:
1. Set Clear Expectations
Explain to students that they’ll be teaching a short lesson (5-10 minutes) about something they love or know a lot about. Provide examples to spark ideas: hobbies, sports, games, crafts, or even family traditions.
2. Use the Graphic Organizers
The Teach the Teacher graphic organizers are a lifesaver. Start with the brainstorming page to help students narrow down their ideas. Then guide them through the information and lesson outline pages to structure their presentations. #graphicorganizers
3. Sign Up for Time Slots
Use the Presenter Sign-Up sheet to schedule presentations. Depending on your class size, you can spread presentations over a few days or dedicate an entire day to this activity. Grouping students with similar topics can also create a thematic flow.
4. Keep the Class Engaged
While one student is presenting, keep the rest of the class engaged with activities like Mini-Lesson Bingo or the Mini-Book pages. These tools encourage active listening and help students reflect on their peers’ lessons. #engagementstrategies
5. Reflect and Celebrate
After each presentation, invite students to reflect on their experience using the Reflection page. End the week with a celebration of everyone’s hard work, maybe with certificates or a class party.
Teach the Teacher in Action: Stories from My Classroom
Now for the fun part! Here are some memorable moments from my own Teach the Teacher events, complete with made-up student names to protect their privacy.
Ella Teaches Origami
Ella walked into class with a stack of colorful paper and a quiet confidence. Her lesson on origami was meticulously planned—she even brought step-by-step visuals to guide us. By the end of her presentation, every student (and me!) had folded a paper crane. The room buzzed with pride as we admired our creations. Ella beamed when a classmate said, “I can’t believe I made this!”
Liam Explains Soccer Strategies
Liam, a soccer fanatic, turned the whiteboard into a mini soccer field. He demonstrated common plays, explained defensive strategies, and even shared his favorite tips for scoring goals. His enthusiasm was contagious, and the class couldn’t wait to ask questions. I wonder if some students played soccer together over the summer break to try out Liam’s advice.
Sofia’s Mexican Family Recipes
Sofia decided to share her grandmother’s guacamole recipe. She described the ingredients with vivid detail, and while we couldn’t cook in class, she brought samples for everyone to try. The class loved it, and many students asked if she could share the recipe so they could make it at home. One student declared it was the best guacamole they’d ever tasted, which earned Sofia a big smile.
Ethan Breaks Down Video Game Design
Ethan’s passion for video games shone as he explained how games are created. He used slides to show different coding languages, shared fun facts about his favorite developers, and even created a simple “game” using graph paper for the class to play. The class was fascinated, and a few students said they wanted to joing the coding club at the middle school.
Ava Shares Horseback Riding Basics
Ava, who rides horses competitively, brought a riding helmet to show her classmates. She explained how to care for horses, the different types of riding, and what a typical competition day looks like. Her classmates asked lots of questions, and one student said, “I didn’t know there was so much to it!” Ava’s love for horses inspired everyone.
Tips for Success
Here are a few extra tips I’ve learned over the years to make your Teach the Teacher event a hit:
1. Provide Plenty of Prep Time
Start planning a few weeks before the event so students have enough time to research and practice their presentations. Use class time to check in and guide them through their graphic organizers.
2. Encourage Visuals and Props
Visual aids, props, or samples make presentations more engaging. Remind students to bring items that enhance their lesson, like Liam’s soccer diagrams or Ava’s riding equipment.
3. Practice Makes Perfect
Offer students a chance to rehearse their lessons in small groups or with you before presenting to the whole class. This can help nervous students feel more confident.
4. Celebrate Diverse Topics
Not every student will pick a traditional “academic” topic, and that’s okay! Celebrate their individuality and let them shine in their own way.
5. Be an Active Listener
Model active listening and engagement during each presentation. Ask thoughtful questions to show you’re paying attention and value their effort.
Why Teach the Teacher Is Worth It
This activity is more than just a fun way to end the year. It’s an opportunity to:
Empower Students: They take ownership of their learning and share what makes them unique.
Build Confidence: Public speaking is a valuable skill, and this activity gives students a safe space to practice.
Foster Community: Students get to know each other better and celebrate each other’s talents.
End the Year on a High Note: The last weeks of school can be challenging, but this activity keeps everyone engaged and excited. #lastdayofschoolactivities
Ready to Try It?
If you’re looking for a way to end the year with joy and meaningful learning, Teach the Teacher is the perfect choice. With the graphic organizers and engagement tools below, you’ll have everything you need to make this event a success. Your students will leave the year with newfound confidence, fond memories, and maybe even a few new skills—like folding the perfect paper crane.
Here’s to finishing the school year strong with Teach the Teacher! Your students (and you) will love it.
Hear about these Teach the Teacher Graphic Organizers from educators like you!
⭐️ “This resource helped my students prepare quality presentations for the class during the last week of school. We loved the Bingo page!”
⭐️ “I love the digital option. We always run out of paper by the last week of school so it was easy to have students fill in the graphic organizers and plan their miniature lessons online.”
⭐️ “This special day is so fun! I love giving students a chance to teach me about something they love. I’m always amazed to see what topics they choose. The brainstorming page in this resource helped them narrow their ideas.”
See how students can use these Teach the Teacher Graphic Organizers:
✅ Hang the Classroom Sign to build excitement for this special day or have students color it and use as a cover to compile their graphic organizers.
✅ Brainstorm Page - Formulate ideas for a mini-lesson you can teach the teacher.
✅ Information Page - Gather facts about your topic.
✅ Lesson Outline - Plan the beginning, middle, and end of your presentation. Also write a quiz question!
✅ Presenter Sign Up - Sign up for an opening to Teach the Teacher.
✅ Reflection - Think back on the lesson you taught.
✅ Mini-Lesson Bingo - Fill in presenters’ names that match each prompt.
✅ Mini-Book - Stay engaged while other students are sharing.
✅ Rubric - Self-assess your presentation or receive a grade from your teacher.
Find answers to your questions about these Teach the Teacher Graphic Organizers:
✋ What is Teach the Teacher?
This is a special day or week when students get to present a short lesson to the class. Sometimes I split my class into two groups and have them rotate through lessons. Other times we spread the teaching moments across multiple school days.
✋ Why should I download this resource?
This resource includes graphic organizers to guide students in planning a miniature lesson as well as engagement activities to keep students busy while their peers are presenting. The bingo board is a class favorite! It helps students listen for specific things while others are speaking. Sample pages are also included to show students how to use some of the graphic organizers.