Creating a Collaborative Classroom Playlist: A Fun End-of-the-Year Activity

Oh, the end of the year. Those last few fuzzy days of school when your middle and high school students are busy saying good-bye to friends, cleaning out their lockers, and generally climbing (or sometimes drawing on) the walls. How can we rein in all that excited end-of-year energy?

One of the best ways to do that with secondary students is simple: music.

Let’s face it: our teens and tweens LOVE their music (colossal understatement). So, one of my most favorite end of year activity each year is “Songs of My Life.” In this activity, students list five songs that best tell the story of their lives over the past year. They then choose their very own “ultimate theme song,” citing the lyrics they connect with most. And then they share.

While this activity has been very popular with my students, one way to amp it up even further is by creating an actual end-of-year collaborative playlist to which students can contribute their own songs and then enjoy listening to the entire class’s choices. It is a great way to capture the moments and memories of the past year–and, of course, jam together to some great tunes!

Here’s how:

1. Get the Ball Rolling.

Start by introducing the concept of an end-of-year classroom playlist to your students. Explain the purpose behind it: to create a musical compilation that reflects your past year together—one that everyone can enjoy and feel represented by. Emphasize that this is a joint effort and that each student’s contribution matters. Trust me, they’ll be thrilled to have a say in the tunes that represent their past year’s journey.

2. Set Some Ground Rules.

To prevent any questionable song choices from sneaking their way onto the playlist (and to preserve your own sanity), be sure establish a few ground rules. Make it clear that the songs should be school-appropriate, without any explicit lyrics or offensive content. Remind your students that this is a shared space, and their song choices should be considerate of others’ tastes. You can even create a playlist committee that reviews and approves song suggestions to ensure a harmonious experience.

3. Hit the Rewind.

Before you can create an epic end-of-year playlist, take a moment to hit the rewind button and reflect on the highlights, challenges, and growth you and your students experienced throughout the year. Gather your students and encourage them to share their favorite memories, accomplishments, and even the not-so-great moments that taught them valuable lessons. Feel free to capture their contributions on the board as inspiration for their musical choices.

4. Select a Song.

After revisiting the past, it’s now time have students begin making their song selections. Ask each student select a song that resonates with their personal journey, representing their triumphs, struggles, or simply a song they can’t get out of their head. Create a physical suggestion box in the classroom, or better yet, go digital and use a collaborative platform like Google Forms or a shared document. Encourage your students to explain why they love each song and how it relates to their own experiences or emotions. This will add a personal touch to their choices and foster deeper connections within the class.

5. Create an Epic Playlist.

Combine all the song selections to create the ultimate collaborative playlist. Use a platform like Spotify or YouTube to compile the songs and share the playlist with your students. You can make the process super easy by creating a playlist on Spotify, and clicking, “Make Collaborative,” then asking your students add their selections without you having to do all the work. Just be sure to carefully review the list before you hit the play button. As they listen to each other’s selections, encourage them to comment and engage in meaningful conversations about their choices. It’s a musical journey through shared experiences, allowing them to appreciate the diverse perspectives within your class.

6. Let the Music Play!

What better way to conclude the school year than with a farewell jam session? During the last day(s) of school, play the collaborative playlist and allow your students to share their reflections, memories, and appreciation for each other. It’s a time to celebrate the achievements, growth, and the unique bonds forged during the school year.

The end of the school year is not necessarily the easiest time of year. But it CAN be enjoyable. It’s the perfect time to embrace the power of music and collaboration to celebrate the triumphs, struggles, and growth your students have experienced throughout the year. So, gather your students, crank up the volume, and let the collaborative playlist be the soundtrack to your end-of-year reflection jam session. Rock on!

Looking for more creative ideas for end of year activities for your high school and middle school students? Check out my End-of-Year Activities resource with 30+ pages of fun, creative activities. Or, better yet, bundle and save with my Back-to-School & End-of-Year Activity Bundle. Both include ideas a-plenty on how to start and finish the year right.