April 24, 2026: End-of-Year Plans

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All we have to decide is what to do with the time given to us.
—J.R.R. Tolkien

Countdown

A few years ago I was having a difficult time being grateful. I found myself wishing that my oldest son would graduate from high school and move on with his life. (His actions left no doubt that he was wishing the same thing.) I found myself thinking, I just wish this year was over.

This thought bothered me. Until then, I had made it a goal to treasure each moment and every season. I was remarkable at finding the celebration, even when it was gritty. Yet, in the summer leading into his senior year, I would have given anything to simply skip the next 12 months.  

Around this time I picked up Bob Goff’s book Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose. Rediscover Your Joy. Midway through, Bob shares his idea of using a countdown clock to intentionally “number his days.” He describes this strategy as a way to combat distraction and focus on living a life of joy and purpose. He makes a case that when we see the days diminishing, we will live with more gratitude for the time we have. 

I was resistant to this idea. I’ve never liked counting down days. It always makes me feel like I’m wishing my life away. However, since I was wishing the days away, I decided I had nothing to lose. 

I ordered a countdown clock and set it for just under two years—counting down to our 25th wedding anniversary. I didn’t want anyone to know that it was parenting a senior in high school that I wanted to escape… It seemed more positive to count down to a happy milestone. This milestone just happened to correlate with the time when all of our kids would have graduated from high school.

The clock sat next to my bathroom sink, and I watched it every morning and night while I brushed and flossed my teeth. At first it seemed like I had so many days to endure, and I considered ditching the countdown. 

But I’m stubborn, and once I start something, I don’t like to quit. So the clock continued to tick down, and after a handful of weeks something unexpected happened. I began to realize how quickly the days were passing. 

Watching that countdown clock changed me. The days became precious. Life didn’t get any easier that year, but my attitude was better. Suddenly, I realized the limitations of time, and I was able to access gratitude and love in bigger ways than before. 

We are at the time of the school year when the days fly by. Before we know it, the year will close. These days are too important to simply endure them. They are precious, and there is still lots of time for learning and growing. This week we take a moment to consider closing the school year. There is plenty of time to rediscover your joy and plan to end the year well. You may want to begin by setting a countdown timer.

Ruth Ayres
Editor in Chief

Josie Stewart and Hannah Tills know the end of the school year is full, yet they take the time to reflect and celebrate what learners have built throughout the year by asking students to create a plan for a final celebration.

Leigh Anne Eck provides a guide to developing an End-of-Year Reflection for students to consider their own growth, as well as offer advice regarding curriculum and instruction.

New members-only content is added each week to the Choice Literacy website. If you’re not yet a member, click here to explore membership options.

Mandy Robek compiles eight ways to close the school year with intentional growth and joy. 

“Cool” things are happening all around us. Why search and scroll online when we are surrounded by ideas in real life? Heather Fisher guides us in creating celebration and reflection routines for the adults in the school.

Bitsy Parks offers key end-of-the year activities that allow students to reflect and notice their identities, growth, and community as readers and writers.

New members-only content is added each week to the Choice Literacy website. If you’re not yet a member, click here to explore membership options.

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