homeroom

 

Activity: Summer Bucket List: Real-Life Edition

Students make a bucket list with 10 things they could actually do this summer, but each item has to fit one category:

1. Something outside
2. Something creative
3. Something kind
4. Something with no phone
5. Something with family or friends
6. Something free
7. Something they can learn
8. Something relaxing
9. Somewhere they can go
10. Something they want to remember

For online homeroom, have them type one idea in the chat for each category. You could say, “Steal ideas from the chat. That is allowed. This is idea-sharing, not academic espionage.”

Then have them choose their Top 3 Most Likely to Actually Happen. That keeps it realistic.

A good slide title:

Summer Bucket List: Touch Grass Edition

Or slightly less chaotic:

Summer Bucket List: Real-Life Edition

Directions for the slide:

Create a summer bucket list with 10 realistic ideas.

Try to include things that are free, creative, outside, kind, relaxing, or screen-free.

Borrow ideas from the chat if you get stuck.

At the end, circle your Top 3: the ones you are most likely to actually do.

Then you could do a quick share-out:

Chat Challenge:
Type one summer idea that costs $0.

Chat Challenge:
Type one summer idea that does not involve a phone.

Chat Challenge:
Type one summer idea that would make Future You proud.

Other easy last-day homeroom ideas:

1. Advice to Next Year’s Students
Students write one piece of honest advice for next year’s 8th graders.
Prompt: “What do you wish someone had told you at the beginning of the year?”

2. Memory Snapshot
Students complete:
“This year I learned…”
“One funny thing I remember…”
“One thing I survived…”
“One thing I’m proud of…”

3. Future Self Postcard
Students write a short note to themselves for the end of summer:
“Dear Future Me, I hope you…”
This can be sweet without becoming a feelings swamp.

4. Summer Bingo
Make a 5x5 board with things like: read outside, make popsicles, visit a library, walk at sunset, cook something, write a letter, try a new park, make art, clean your room, help someone, watch sunrise, etc.

5. “Would You Rather: Summer Edition”
You already have this brewing. Use it as a quick opener, then have them build their own list from the choices.

My best recommendation: do Would You Rather for 5 minutes, then Summer Bucket List for 10–15 minutes, then finish with one piece of advice to next year’s students. That gives you fun, usefulness, and a tiny sentimental ribbon at the end without making everyone awkward.