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| Didax "Class Ideas" Newsletter Archive |
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Winter break is over and the big day is almost here. Sometime this month or next, you and your students will be enjoying the 100th day of the 2005-2006 school year. Class Ideas wants to help you plan a great day and brings you an issue filled with fun ideas.
While this is a day celebrated traditionally in lower grades more often than upper, we have an article with ideas spanning from elementary to middle grades. There are some great Internet links offering even more ideas, downloadable activity pages, and of course, a must-see email subscriber-only special.
Read on for fun and educational ways to celebrate your 100th day of school.
Anna Mullen, Editor
anna@didax.com |
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| Celebrating the 100th Day of School |
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 While the 100th Day of School is often celebrated in lower elementary school classrooms, it usually passes unnoticed in upper elementary and middle school. These older students have reached a milestone in their year as well, let?s help them celebrate their accomplishment. Creative ideas for having some fun on the 100th Day follow, both for elementary and middle school classrooms.
Elementary Ideas
Math (Estimation): Have students estimate how long it will take them to do simple activities 100 times. For example, write their name, spell the word ?cat,? or clap their hands. After estimating, have pairs of students time each other to see how close the guesses were.
Math (Counting): Discuss different ways to count to 100 (2s, 5s, 10s, etc.).
Math (Money): Bring in 100 each of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. As a class, figure out how much it adds up to! Have students write about what they would like to do with the money if it were theirs.
Math (Graphing): Give each child 100 m & m?s or other colorful candy. Have them create a graph, by color, of the candies.
Reading: Have students create lists of 100 words that they can read. Challenge them to find difficult and unique words.
Reading: This is a year-long project. Announce on the first day of school that you challenge the class to read 100 books through the year. Keep a list of the books as you read them aloud to the class, one each day. These can be short picture books read at circle time, or after recess to quiet children down.
Middle School Ideas
Math (Measurement): Take students to an athletic field and divide them into pairs. Ask students to walk apart until they believe they are 100 feet apart. Use long tape measures or 100 foot pieces of string to check their distances.
Creative Writing: Have students write a description of what they think life will be like in 100 years. How will schools have changed? How will home life have changed?
Vocabulary: Have students brainstorm 100 words that they feel describe themselves. A dictionary might come in handy here!
Technology: In class, brainstorm a list of 100 inventions that have changed our world. Have each student choose an invention to research and present a short speech about.
History: Have students research life 100 years ago. Each student could be assigned a different topic, for instance, transportation, clothing, etc.
Any Grade!
Art: 100 Sculptures or Pictures ? Allow students to bring in 100 small objects from home appropriate for building a sculpture with. Provide them with glue, tape and other art supplies to construct their creations. For instance, a student could use 100 buttons to create a garden scene on colored cardstock.
Health: 100 Exercises ? Challenge students to complete 100 repetitions of a simple exercise. For instance, students could do 100 jumping jacks or 100 sit-ups.
Community Giving: Make a classroom goal to collect 100 items to donate. It could be 100 cans of pet food for a local animal shelter, 100 nonperishable food items for a food pantry, or 100 pieces of clothing for a local shelter.
Just for Fun: Give each student a small container or plastic baggie and 100 small strips of colorful paper. Have them write one thing they are thankful for or something nice they think about themselves on each slip of paper. The strips of paper in the container can stay in the students? desks or lockers for the rest of the year. When a student feels down, they can take out a slip of paper to remember something happy. |
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| Downloadable Activity Pages |
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 Download, print and photocopy these activity pages and you're off! All of the selected pages in this download from Paul Swan's Number Grids book work with 100 grids. With activities ranging from third to eighth grades, I'm sure you'll find a fun, educational math activity to help your students celebrate 100 Day! |
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| 100th Day of School Internet Links |
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 The Internet is a fantastic resource for exchanging ideas. These links will bring you to hundreds of such ideas for celebrating the 100th day of school in your classroom. From math to reading and beyond, I'm sure you'll find something fun to try with your students. |
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| February Newsletter Theme: Healthy Choices |
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 Teaching children to make healthy life choices is becoming more and more a part of school. Diet, exercise and self management all come into play in students becoming happy, healthy adults. The next issue of Class Ideas will address this issue with helpful articles, downloadable activities and inspiring Internet links. |
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