The 100th Day of School is such a fun day in a primary classroom. It's an excellent opportunity to incorporate lots of math skills in a fun and playful way. Here are just a few of the things I have done with my first graders on the 100th Day!
Our 100th day usually falls around Valentine's, so it is always a week of celebration and excitement. Some times I have even rolled the two days together for one big day of chaos. Lesson learned! It may sound good, but in reality, it is TOO MUCH! It is far better to give each day its own day of celebration and start fresh the following week!
Here are a few of my go-to activities:
1. Collections
Students arrivedexcited and eager to share their 100-day collections. The first task is to ensure that the collection does, in fact, contain 100 things! Students use a counting mat to count their collection into groups of 10.
You can grab this free one to use if you don't have one.
2. 100th Day Hats
What celebration is complete without a fancy hat. My students make these hats/crowns right after counting out their collections. They are part of my 100th Day of School Pack.
3. Measuring Collections
I always ensure that we have either completed or are in the middle of our linear measurement unit around this time of the year. Measuring collections is the perfect authentic task to see how students do with measuring with non-standard and standard units. This is an excellent opportunity for some assessment for you! You can find this booklet that provides lots of opportunities to measure and compare with non-standard units in my 100th Day of School Pack.
Don't forget to incorporate mass too. I have had students use balance scales to compare the weight of their collection to mine or other students. It is a perfect opportunity to introduce mass and capacity if you haven't discussed it yet.I had a collection ofmini cubes (centicubes), and the students first had to predict if theircollection was heavier/lighter or the same weight as mine, and then they usedthe scales to find out exactly how their collection measured up.
4. Exploring What 100 Looks Like.
The 100th day is a great day to see what 100 looks like and to be creative with showing 100. I set out bins with 100 of an item all around my classroom and have students visit different stations and think about what they can do with the 100 items. Some of our favourites are pattern blocks, popsicle sticks, glass gems, plastic cups, mini erasers and more. The love to create pictures with them or group them and count.
5. Scavenger Hunt!
Last year I hid 100 candy hearts around the room, and the kids had to find them and then put them in the right pocket of our pocket chart. It was fun for them to search for them and a good exercise to find all of the numbers in the 100's chart.
I have also heard about putting number stickers on the bottom of Hershey's kisses or directly on a letter tile. These are also great ideas.
6. Dress Up Like You are 100 Years Old
I have never done this with my class, but our Kindergarten team did one year, and the kids were super cute with their wigs, powdered hair and canes!
7. Read and Write 100
There are so many great pictures books to read on the 100th Day. Click below to be taken to a great collection of books.
You can also incorporate writing and have your students write 100 words. This is probably best done collaboratively with younger students. Each team of 4 each is tasked with finding 25 words. Doing it this way is much more fun and manageable.
8. Exercise!
Can you do 100 jumping jacks? 100 toe touches? GoNoodle has some great videos that get kids moving and counting to 100. Check them out below.
9. 100th Day Crafts
What's a celebration without a craft! I have pinned some great crafts. You can find them on this Pinterest board:
10. A 100's Day Snack
End your celebration with a snack. 100s Day trail mix is a great option. I ask families to provide 1 food item out of a list of 10 choices. Some families send in a baggie of the item and others send in a whole box or container. Some of the things I ask for are:
- mini marshmallows
- pretzel sticks
- raisins
- cheerios
- goldfish crackers
- square crackers
- M&Ms or Smarties
- chocolate chips
- popcorn
- another brand of cereal
Be sure to check on your school's policies regarding serving food in your classroom as well as being fully aware of any food allergies your students may have.
There you have it! 10 ways to celebrate your 100th day of school! Enjoy
Are you looking for a bit more inspiration? Check out this related post.
FAQs
The 100th day of school is a fun opportunity to recognize student progress and honor all of the hard work as a community. It's also the perfect chance to include numbers and math concepts in the festivities centered around the number 100.
What is the 100 day celebration in school? ›
The 100th day of school is a fun opportunity to recognize student progress and honor all of the hard work as a community. It's also the perfect chance to include numbers and math concepts in the festivities centered around the number 100.
Why is it important to celebrate the 100th day of school? ›
Why do we celebrate 100 days of school? This marks a point in the year where students are more than half-way through the 180 day school year. It is a time to reflect on all the learning that has taken place so far.
What is the objective of the 100 days of school? ›
It allows students to see how far they have come since the start of the school year and to appreciate their hard work and effort. Builds math skills: Many activities and events that are planned for the 100th day of school are math-based like counting to 100, making a collection of 100 items, etc.
What happens at a 100 day celebration? ›
At traditional Chinese 100 days celebrations (百日宴), prayers and food will be offered to the ancestors together with the burning of incense to wish the baby good health and protection them from bad spirits. Some families will shave the baby's head, while some have already replaced the ritual with snipping a hair lock.
Do you get a gift for 100 day celebration? ›
A very traditional baby 100 days celebration gift is gold jewellery. Gifting a gold bracelet, pendant or necklace is a solid choice for a traditional gift for most 1-month-old children or 100-day celebrations.
Who celebrates the 100th day of school? ›
The 100th Day of School is widely celebrated in preschools, kindergartens, and elementary schools as a fun milestone to break up the school year. Special lessons and activities are prepared to celebrate the day.
What do students reflect on during the 100th day of school? ›
For students, it signifies 100 days of learning. Students can reflect on all of the reading, writing, and math growth they've shown. Additionally, they can show gratitude for friendships and collaboration with classmates. They can even celebrate being one step closer to summer break!
What does 100th day mean? ›
Among the many important milestones in a baby's life, the 100th day holds special cultural significance. It is a momentous occasion, symbolising the baby's successful adaptation to the world and a joyous celebration of their first three months of life.
What do you bring to a 100 day celebration? ›
100 Days Celebration Customs And Traditions
This celebration used to be fairly traditional with symbolic gifts, gold jewellery and red packets handed down from the older family members and well-wishers, as well as prayers and auspicious food being offered by the parents to their ancestors.
100th Day of School Costume Ideas and Outfits
Feathers! Pom-poms! Or use anything that can easily be counted out and attached to a shirt, such as googly eyes, puzzle pieces, or stickers. Put your relationships with your students first by wearing 100 of their favorite things.
What to do for 100 days anniversary? ›
Here are a few ideas on what you can do to make this day special: 1. Plan a romantic date: Surprise your girlfriend with a thoughtfully planned date, such as a candlelit dinner at home or her favorite restaurant. You can also recreate your first date or visit a place that holds special memories for both of you.
What is the 100 hundredth day of school? ›
When Is the 100th Day of School? After the winter holidays, many schools start anticipating finishing the first 100 days of school. The actual date varies, with most schools reaching the 100th day at the end of January or sometime in early or mid-February.
What is the idea for the 1000th day of school? ›
Challenge students to find the fraction of their lives they have spent in school. If today is the 1,000th day of school, what fraction of your life have you spent in school?
What is the theme of in school days? ›
The speaker in John Greenleaf Whittier's poem "School Days" recalls his early experiences going to school in a small New England town. The poem is a reflection on a more carefree era when life moved more slowly and peacefully. It explores the idea of how society has changed since those times.
What is 100 days of kindergarten? ›
100 Days of School signifies the 100th day of study in the school year. It gives both kids and teachers a time to reflect on the work undertaken by students, and recognizes all of their accomplishments.
