by Cristina
Why don’t we get to celebrate the 100th day like the little kids? That’s what a few of my 4th and 5th grade students asked last year. Honestly, I didn’t have an answer, but now there will be no excuse. I’ve put together some fun 100 Days of School ideas for upper elementary together, so we can all have fun this year.
Here are a variety of fun ideas you can incorporate into your classroom to make the day memorable and a day full of valuable lessons.
(This blog post contains Amazon Affiliate links. That means that if you buy a book using a link, Amazon will throw a few pennies my way at no cost to you.)
100 Days of School Classroom Set Up
No need for anything extravagant, but setting up the stage to engage can get students excited for the day.
- Bring in #100 balloons.
- Put up a Happy 100th Day of Schoolposter on the front door or banner on the board.
Theme Ideas
Kids love a good theme and this day will be the perfect excuse to have one.
- T-Shirt: Have students create t-shirts with 100 things on them (ex. buttons, stickers, etc.), and have them come to school wearing it.
- Happy 100th Birthday: Students show up to school dressed as if they were 100 years old.
Snack Ideas
Kids get really excited about snacks, so here are a few fun snack ideas. (As always, make sure your students do not have an allergies to these foods.)
- 100 Grand Candy Bar
- Nabisco 100 Calories Snacks
- 7 packs of Smarties per student (about 15 in each pack making 105…close) and add a note that says 100 Days Smarter.
- a sandwich bag with 1 graham cracker and 2 fudge strip cookies (looks like the number 100) and add a note that says You’re a Smart Cookie … Happy 100th Day of School. You can also substitute for something a bit healthier such as mini bagels with a pretzel stick or crackers.
Game Ideas
Infusing some brain break games or indoor recess games will make the day fun and memorable. Have students play any of the following games in pairs.
- Stack 100 plastic cups like a pyramid
- Build a 100 piece puzzle
- 100 seconds challenge – challenge students to different tasks for 100 seconds (ex. standing on one leg, stand like a statue)
Read Aloud Book
I don’t know about you, but I will use any excuse to share a read aloud with my upper elementary students. The 100th day of school is no exception. Many of the picture books that center around 100 are very primary, therefore, today I am sharing a short chapter book. It takes about 40 minutes to read, so you want to split it up. It does have a strong theme about discrimination and is a perfect book for this age group.
- The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes
- Hundredth Day Disasterby Bridgette Reidstad
Student Gift Ideas
- 100th Day of School bookmarks
- A school supply that come in 100s such as notebook paper, stickers, sticky notes, etc.
- Any of the snack options listed previous
100 Days of School ELA Activities
As an upper elementary teacher, we know how important it is to tie the activities to standards, especially with state testing right around the corner. Below are some fun 100 Days of School ELA Activities.
- Have students work with hyperboles. Choose one that has 100 in it. (ex. one hundred and one things)
- Introduce students to the root cent(i). Have them define different works that include the root in it. (ex. century, centimeter, etc.)
- Challenge them to make a list of 100 parts of speech: 20 nouns, 20 verbs, 20 adjectives, 20 adverbs, and 20 conjunctions. etc.
- Challenge your students to find 100 synonyms for commonly used words such as said, good, and bad.
- Have them write about what they would spend $100 on if they were gifted the money.
- Challenge the class to read 100 books. This can be done in one day by having each student choose a handful of picture books to read. Another way to implement this is to have students start recording books that they are reading and have see if the class can reach 100 books by the end of the year.
Brain Break or Just for Fun Ideas
- Have students participate on the “Not a 100” drawing challenge. Have them draw a large 100 on a paper and turn that 100 into something else in a drawing.
- Challenge them to see how many words they can come up with by using the letters in ONE HUNDRED DAYS. Want to make it more challenging? Give them just 100 seconds.
Make planning easy with this 100thDay of School ELA Activities Pack!
Valentine Gifts for Students in Upper Elementary »
As an expert and enthusiast, I don't have personal experiences or beliefs, but I can provide you with information on the concepts mentioned in this article. Let's go through each concept and discuss them:
100th Day of School
The 100th Day of School is a celebration that takes place in many elementary schools to mark the 100th day of the academic year. It is often seen as a milestone and an opportunity for students and teachers to reflect on their progress and achievements. The celebration typically involves various activities and lessons centered around the number 100. These activities can include counting exercises, crafts, games, and themed dress-up days. The goal is to make learning fun and engaging while reinforcing important concepts and skills. The 100th Day of School is often celebrated in creative and imaginative ways to make it a memorable experience for students.
Classroom Set Up
Setting up the classroom for the 100th Day of School can help create a festive and engaging environment. Some ideas for classroom decorations include:
- Bringing in #100 balloons.
- Putting up a Happy 100th Day of School poster on the front door or a banner on the board.
These simple decorations can help generate excitement and set the stage for a fun-filled day.
Theme Ideas
Having a theme for the 100th Day of School can add an extra element of excitement to the celebration. Here are a couple of theme ideas mentioned in the article:
- T-Shirt: Have students create t-shirts with 100 things on them, such as buttons or stickers, and have them come to school wearing it.
- Happy 100th Birthday: Students show up to school dressed as if they were 100 years old.
These themes can encourage creativity and provide opportunities for students to express themselves while celebrating the milestone.
Snack Ideas
Snacks are often a highlight for students during special celebrations. Here are a few snack ideas mentioned in the article:
- 100 Grand Candy Bar
- Nabisco 100 Calories Snacks
- Smarties: 7 packs of Smarties per student (about 15 in each pack making 105...close) and add a note that says "100 Days Smarter."
- Smart Cookie: A sandwich bag with 1 graham cracker and 2 fudge strip cookies (looks like the number 100) and add a note that says "You're a Smart Cookie... Happy 100th Day of School."
These snack ideas can add a fun and tasty element to the celebration, but it's important to consider any allergies or dietary restrictions among the students.
Game Ideas
Incorporating games into the 100th Day of School celebration can provide opportunities for students to have fun while reinforcing learning. Here are a few game ideas mentioned in the article:
- Stack 100 plastic cups like a pyramid
- Build a 100 piece puzzle
- 100 seconds challenge: Challenge students to different tasks for 100 seconds, such as standing on one leg or standing like a statue.
These games can be adapted to suit the age and abilities of the students and can help promote teamwork, problem-solving, and motor skills.
Read Aloud Book
Reading aloud to students is a valuable activity that can foster a love for reading and storytelling. The article suggests sharing a short chapter book called "The Hundred Dresses" by Eleanor Estes on the 100th Day of School. This book explores themes of discrimination and is suitable for upper elementary students. Reading a book related to the number 100 can tie in with the theme of the day and provide an opportunity for meaningful discussions.
Student Gift Ideas
Providing small gifts or tokens to students on the 100th Day of School can be a way to celebrate their achievements and make the day even more special. Here are a few gift ideas mentioned in the article:
- 100th Day of School bookmarks
- School supplies: Items that come in sets of 100, such as notebook paper, stickers, sticky notes, etc.
- Snack options: Any of the snack ideas mentioned earlier.
These gifts can serve as mementos of the day and can be personalized to suit the interests and preferences of the students.
ELA Activities
English Language Arts (ELA) activities can be incorporated into the 100th Day of School celebration to reinforce language skills and engage students in meaningful learning. Here are some ELA activity ideas mentioned in the article:
- Hyperboles: Have students work with hyperboles that include the number 100.
- Root words: Introduce students to the root "cent(i)" and have them define different words that include this root.
- Parts of speech: Challenge students to make a list of 100 parts of speech, including nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, and conjunctions.
- Synonyms: Challenge students to find 100 synonyms for commonly used words, such as "said," "good," and "bad."
- Writing prompt: Have students write about what they would spend $100 on if they were gifted the money.
- Reading challenge: Challenge the class to read 100 books, either in one day or over the course of the year.
These activities can help reinforce language skills, promote creativity, and encourage critical thinking.
Brain Break or Just for Fun Ideas
Brain breaks and fun activities can provide a break from academic work and allow students to relax and have fun. Here are a couple of ideas mentioned in the article:
- "Not a 100" drawing challenge: Have students draw a large 100 on a paper and turn that 100 into something else in a drawing.
- Word challenge: Challenge students to see how many words they can come up with using the letters in "ONE HUNDRED DAYS."
These activities can stimulate creativity, problem-solving, and imagination while providing a lighthearted break from regular classroom activities.
I hope this information helps you understand the concepts mentioned in the article. Let me know if you have any further questions!
