Tear Jerker / Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade

• The very last scene in the movie. T.J.'s giving a monologue about growing up, while he and his friends are just having fun on the playground until the bell rings. And just like the end of the theme song, the gang walk back into the building, only for T.J to appear in the doorway and wave to the audience. The fact that this is the last time the audience are going to see the adventures of the gang, tears were shed.
  T.J.: Sure, being a kid can be tricky. You're growing all the time, things are always changing, but no matter how much things really do change, I figure as long as we stand up for what we believe in, and stay true to ourselves, everything will be alright. (Bell rings) And who knows? Seeing as how we've made it through so much already, I've got a feeling this might be our best year yet. (Miss Finster begins to close the doors) Really, I mean it! (Miss Finster shuts the door)
• Another thing to note is that in the theme song, the part where T.J. waves at the audience was seen as a "Hi" to them as they join the gang for another adventure. At the end of the film, the wave could be seen as a "Goodbye", as the show was now officially over.
• The movie's timing can be seen as a contributing part, as the original target audience who were in elementary school when the show came out in 1997 were now in middle school (and for some, high school) when this film came out on video and DVD. They grew up seeing T.J. and his pals go on their adventures, and Taking the Fifth Grade could've been seen as the point where childhood ended.