As the school year reaches its conclusion, high school English teachers are on the lookout for captivating and enriching units to engage their students during the final stretch. Let’s face it. You and your students are probably feeling a little burnt out. So, here are some end-of-the-year units for high school English that you AND your students will enjoy.

Just need a few activities for the end of the year–not whole units? This post covers some great end-of-the-year activities for high school English classes.

Looking for more end-of-the-year tips? Check out this post for a list of things to do now to make back-to-school easier next year.

End-of-the-Year Units for High School English Idea #1: Novels to Explore Contemporary Issues

As we approach the end of the school year, it’s an opportune time to delve into novels that not only captivate our students’ imaginations but also prompt critical reflections on contemporary societal issues. Contemporary novels are great for the end of the year for two reasons.

First, they speak on recent issues. Because they’re immediately relevant for students, you won’t have to spend a ton of time and energy building up students’ background knowledge on historical context.

Second, generally, contemporary novels will be easier to read. Since you won’t be spending the majority of your time on comprehension, you can skip straight to juicy discussions and in-depth projects.

Here are three compelling novels that are perfect for sparking meaningful discussions in your high school English classroom:

1. The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas:

Angie Thomas’ poignant exploration of race, identity, and activism in The Hate U Give provides an ideal platform for end-of-year discussions. As students navigate through the gripping narrative, they’ll engage with themes that resonate deeply with current social movements and foster empathy and understanding.

The Hate U Give, while long, is engaging and easy for students to understand. It will appeal to students’ sense of justice and will be a book they can’t help but talk about.

Check out this post to learn more about why I LOVE teaching this novel. You can also check out my done-for-you The Hate U Give Unit right here.

2. Internment by Samira Ahmed

My next suggestion is a little shorter but just as jam-packed.

In Internment, Samira Ahmed confronts readers with a chilling near-future scenario, where the repercussions of xenophobia and discrimination are laid bare. By delving into this dystopian tale, students are prompted to consider the fragility of civil liberties and the power of resistance, making it a timely choice for end-of-year study.

Internment is perfect for dystopia lovers in your class. It also allows for tons of historical and literary connections.

This post dives deeper into the perks of teaching Internment. You can save a ton of time with my no-prep Internment unit here.

3. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

Lastly, Persepolis is the shortest novel on this list.

Marjane Satrapi’s graphic memoir, Persepolis, offers a unique perspective on the Iranian Revolution through the eyes of a young girl. This captivating coming-of-age story not only provides insight into a pivotal moment in history but also invites discussions on cultural identity, oppression, and resilience.

Graphic novels are fantastic for the end of the year. They’re easy to read, but Persepolis still offers rigor and lots of material to discuss. 

Learn more about how teaching Persepolis can be beneficial for your class, and snag a complete Perspolis unit right here.

End-of-the-Year Units for High School English Idea #2: Short Units for Quick Engagement

As the end of the year approaches, time becomes a precious commodity in the classroom. After all, there are assemblies, testing windows, and tons of distractions. Short, focused units offer an ideal way to engage students effectively while making the most of the remaining weeks. Here are some quick yet impactful unit ideas to consider:

1. Horror Short Story Unit

If you didn’t do any horror during October, the end of the year is the next best time.

Embrace the thrill of the unknown with a horror short story unit! This unit promises to keep students on the edge of their seats. If you want to skip the usual Edgar Allan Poe and Shirley Jackson, I have a few suggestions for stories and activities here. 

Students will sharpen their analytical skills while experiencing the spine-tingling excitement of the genre. Plus, horror short stories provide the perfect opportunity for lots of fun writing activities.

2. Flash Fiction Anthology

Short on time but eager to ignite students’ creativity? A flash fiction anthology provides the perfect solution. With its brevity and impact, flash fiction challenges students to distill their ideas into concise narratives while exploring a diverse range of voices and styles in modern literature.

3. Modern Poetry Showcase

Conclude the year on a poetic note by spotlighting the vibrant voices of contemporary poets. From Rupi Kaur’s raw emotion to Warsan Shire’s evocative imagery, students will explore the power of language and expression while honing their own poetic craft.

Let students choose their own poets to do a deep dive on and tie the whole unit together with an Author Study Project. It’s the perfect highly differentiated (low effort for you) project for the last few weeks of the year.

End-of-the-Year Units for High School English Idea #3: The Alchemist & The Personal Legend

Want to end your year with something less depressing than the usual literature? Want your students to spend May thinking beyond high school and planning for their future?

Then reading The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho might be perfect for you!

Firstly, The Alchemist is short and easy to read. It’s perfect for burnt-out students or seniors who don’t care now that tests are done and college letters are in.

Coelho’s story follows the tale of Santiago who pursues his dream–his Personal Legend–with determination. Unlike much of high school lit, it has a happy ending and inspires and empowers the reader.

While reading, you can have students identify their own Personal Legend and map out how to achieve it.

In my The Alchemist Unit, students first map out their Personal Legends on a legend map. While reading, students discuss some of the text’s big ideas including Personal Legends and personal development.

As the final assessment, I have students write an essay about their Personal Legend. This would be a perfect end-of-the-year project WITH OR WITHOUT actually reading The Alchemist.

By the end of the unit, students have applied Coelho’s lessons to their own lives and begun to come up with a plan for their lives after high school ends.

A Final Word On End-of-the-Year Units for High School English

As the school year draws to a close, these end-of-year units for high school English offer teachers a roadmap for engaging and inspiring their students in the final chapters of the academic journey. Whether exploring pressing social issues through compelling novels or embracing the concise artistry of short fiction, these units are sure to leave a lasting impact as students embark on their summer adventures.