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!
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert and enthusiast, I 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 provide relevant information:
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 engage in fun and educational activities. The celebration typically includes various themed activities, snacks, games, and classroom decorations centered around the number 100. The purpose of the celebration is to make learning enjoyable and to reinforce the concept of counting and numbers for young students.
Classroom Set Up
Setting up the classroom for the 100th Day of School celebration can help create an engaging and festive atmosphere. 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 among students and set the stage for a memorable day.
Theme Ideas
Having a theme for the 100th Day of School celebration can add an extra element of fun. Here are a couple of theme ideas mentioned in the article:
- T-Shirt: Students can create t-shirts with 100 things on them, such as buttons or stickers, and wear them to school.
- Happy 100th Birthday: Students can come to school dressed as if they were 100 years old.
These themes provide an opportunity for creativity and make the day more enjoyable for students.
Snack Ideas
Snacks are often a highlight of any celebration, and the 100th Day of School is no exception. Here are a few snack ideas mentioned in the article:
- 100 Grand Candy Bar
- Nabisco 100 Calories Snacks
- Smarties: 7 packs per student, with a note saying "100 Days Smarter."
- Graham cracker and fudge strip cookies: Arranged to look like the number 100, with a note saying "You're a Smart Cookie... Happy 100th Day of School."
These snack ideas can add a touch of sweetness to the celebration and make it more enjoyable for students.
Game Ideas
Incorporating games into the 100th Day of School celebration can provide a break from regular classroom activities and add an element of fun. Here are a few game ideas mentioned in the article:
- Stack 100 plastic cups: Students can work in pairs to stack 100 plastic cups like a pyramid.
- Build a 100 piece puzzle: Students can work together to complete a 100-piece puzzle.
- 100 seconds challenge: Students can be challenged to perform different tasks for 100 seconds, such as standing on one leg or standing like a statue.
These games can promote teamwork, problem-solving, and physical activity while keeping the celebration engaging.
Read Aloud Book
Reading aloud to students is a valuable activity that can enhance their language skills and foster a love for reading. The article suggests sharing a book with the students on the 100th Day of School. One book mentioned is "The Hundred Dresses" by Eleanor Estes. This short chapter book explores themes of discrimination and is suitable for upper elementary students.
Student Gift Ideas
Providing small gifts to students on the 100th Day of School can be a way to celebrate their achievements and make the day more special. Some gift ideas mentioned in the article include:
- 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 can also be given as gifts.
These gifts can serve as mementos of the 100th Day of School celebration and remind students of their accomplishments.
ELA Activities
Engaging students in English Language Arts (ELA) activities on the 100th Day of School can provide an opportunity to reinforce language skills while incorporating the theme of the day. 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 word "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 collectively read 100 books by the end of the year.
These activities can help reinforce language skills, promote creativity, and make the 100th Day of School celebration educational.
Brain Break or Just for Fun Ideas
In addition to the structured activities, incorporating brain breaks or fun activities can provide a break from academic tasks and add an element of enjoyment to the day. 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 then turn that 100 into something else in a drawing.
- Word challenge: Challenge students to come up with as many words as they can using the letters in "ONE HUNDRED DAYS."
These activities can stimulate creativity, critical thinking, and provide a lighthearted break during the celebration.
I hope this information helps you understand the concepts mentioned in the article. Let me know if there's anything else I can assist you with!
