300 CELEBRATION IDEAS FOR THE CLASSROOM:
Many thanks to the teachers, librarians, principals, media specialists, and other educators who contributed the 100th Day of School celebration ideas listed below. ~ Joan Holub

Copyright © 1997 by Joan Holub. For teacher-to-teacher and individual elementary classroom/library use only. Commercial use prohibited.

1. I did a wonderful, unusual thing for the 100th day of school. All of my students brought in 100 items of something. I brought in a special surprise -- My 100 year old grandmother known to all as Grandma Gert! It was a great experience for all. She spoke with the class and answered the questions they had written and ready for her. My favorite question was: "Did you ever think the world was flat?" She could even remember an experience she had when she was in Kindergarten and readily shared it with my students. The newspaper came and took many wonderful shots. It was a great experience for all. (Katie O'Connell, Third Grade teacher).

2. Each child in my class brings in 100 items to glue on a pre-made grid. at the top of the grid I'll write, "Jason's 100 cotton balls". The items are to be all the same thing and no bigger than two inches to fit in a the grid. Some ideas have been, mini marshmallows, cereal, stickers, beads, feathers, bread tags, and my favorite was small computer chips! It takes a day for them to dry, but when they see their 100 things decorating the walls of their classroom the next day they love it. 3. 1. We start the day by dividing up into 4-6 groups with 4 or 5 in a group. Each group gets a puzzle containing 100 pieces. At the start of the bell, each group dumps the box and begins. Then we wait to see which group can put their puzzle together first. Everyone will be a winner, because the "finishers" go and help other groups. This is great, because you see how the kids work together in groups, and where your leaders are. It is also interesting to see how any children realize it's better to start with the boarders than just see which pieces might fit. 2. We make 100 headbands with 100 stickers pasted on them.

3. We make 100 shaped glasses. The kids really love these! Don't forget to call your local paper to come and take pictures of the special day! (Barb S. 1/IN)

4. We make a book of 100 "things". I take 10 large chart papers and number 1 to 10 on each on. Each sheet also has a topic at the top. Students take turns coming up to the front of the room and write something under one of the headings. They use their "creative" spellings. They can only write one answer under a specific topic. When completed, I make it into a "large" book, and students take turns taking it home to read to their parents. Topic ideas: names, teachers, drinks, cereals, games, sports, zoo animals, pets, candy bars, states, spelling words, signs, colors, long/a/ words, and the list can go on and on. (Barb S. 1/IN)

5. As the participating classes go to the cafeteria for our 100th Day program, the students walk through a lifesize "100". The number 100 is painted on a hallway-wide roll of cardboard, about 4 feet in height. The insides of the zeroes are cut out, allowing the children to walk through them into the assembly. A piece of plywood could be used as well. If the whole school is involved, it could be placed at the main entrance on the 100th morning to begin the day. Our local newspaper has featured the students coming through the 100 for their front page picture. (P.Ridder, Keyser Primary Middle School, Keyser, West Virginia)

6. On the 100th day, we talk about all the different ways you can count to 100. I usually have them looking at a 100's chart to get ideas. Then we count! You can count by ones, twos, five's, and tens. If you have them bring in 100 items you can have them separate their items as they count. (Jennifer, 1st grade teacher)

7. Students will work on this project with their parent(s) - they need to decide on an object, that they will use 100 of (not more, not less!) to create a....creation! I've seen an eagle built out of 100 nails, an igloo built of 100 marshmallows, a night sky painting with 100 sparkling stars - the child/parent thought process has always come up with something great! Projects are displayed in a "gallery" on the 100th day - pictures are taken for writing project later. (Joan)

8. I love Day 100. Each year the little ones bring in their collections of 100 things. Of course, we make our "100" caps, write 100 words that we know, make our 100 cherrio necklace, measure 100 inches on the sidewalk and on the doorway, print 100 objects on paper, etc.(Sandie)

9. My class, with the help of parents and a helium tank,blew up 100 balloons. A parent baked a cake and placed 100 candles on top. We took a photo of 100 4th graders. (Valerie, 4th grade teacher)

10. Imagine what life will be like in a hundred years. Draw a picture of what you will look like and write about what life will be like. Invent something that people will be using in a hundred years. Give each student/groups of students play money ($100) and a mail order catalog of some sort. Have them find five different things that they can buy with a hundred dollars. They have to cut out those picture and place it on construction paper. Have them figure how much change they will get back if the item is less than one hundred dollars. (A. Freeman, 2nd grade teacher)

11. For the 100th day of school I join the festivities by wearing a jeans vest that I have sewed 100 buttons to. The buttons are all sorts including baseballs, balloons, ribbons, ducks, Raggedy Ann etc. They are sewn all over the front. I watch sales all year to add specialty buttons and replace some of the more boring ones! During the course of the day some children usually ask if there are 100! It is a great conversation piece. (Kathy Markel, principal, Naldrett Elementary)

12. At the 100th minute of school on the 100th day, the children in our school go out in the hall to do 100 exercises. The p.e. teacher goes on the intercom system and leads the children in exercises. We do 10 of ten different exercises (jumping jacks. trunk twists, toe touches, etc) and end with 10 cheers. (I. Hauser, first grade teacher)

13. I'm currently working with many wonderful teachers around the country to collect 100 post cards. I posted the message in www.teachers.net and was overwhelmed with how many teachers also wanted to collect 100 post cards so we are now doing an exchange. Even Joan posted a message. That was the best thrill ever. (Yolanda, 2nd grade teacher)

14. My class has 100 pieces of snack on the 100th day. Have ten families send in ten different food items, such as mini-marshmallows, cereal, mini crackers, pretzel sticks, peanuts, M&M's, chocolate bits, etc.. Give each child a zippered plastic sandwich bag and have him/her count out ten of each of the ten items. They each end up with 100 pieces of snack! It is similar to "trail mix". Have everyone wear an article of clothing with 100 designs on it. I send home a letter explaining this to the parents several days before. The children drive the parents crazy counting the squares on a plaid shirt or the polka dots on a dress. (First grade teacher - saddison@esslink.com)

15. In our kindergarten, the principal of the school gets dressed up as Zero Hero. The children ask him questions about his life and he answers them with things like; I live at 100 Numbers Way, and I have 100 brothers and sisters etc. He then takes them marching down the hallways counting loudly to 100! We also have a 100 Day Breakfast. We give the children one sausage link (the number one) and two halves of a mini bagel (The zeros). We then graph if the children want cream cheese or butter. In the class the children bring in a collection of 100 things, but they get to count it with an older buddy from fith or sixth grade. Each child is given a large white piece of paper with 10 large circles on it. The younger child places 10 items in each circle. The older buddy watches and helps keeps track. When all the circles have been filled, they both count by 10's until they reach 100. The collections are displayed in the hallway on meat trays with the children's names and the items that they counted. I find that both age groups really enjoy working with each other.(Sue, Montauk Public School)

16. I had my first graders write about what they think they will be like (or what the world will be like) when they are 100 years old. The results and illustrations were fantastic! (Jessica N. Goodwin School, Mansfield, CT)

17. We make 100 construction paper feet and then measure from our classroom door and see where 100 footsteps will take us . We tape them along the bottom of the hall. We also pick a starting point (ex. drinking fountain) and see where we will end up after 100 footsteps. Our library teaching assistant displays 100 books (in groups of ten) in the library. (I. Hauser, 1st grade teacher)

18. We try to collect 100 returnable bottles and then use the money for our classroom. (I. Hauser, 1st grade teacher)

19. The children enjoy making books entitled "I wish I had 100______" and illustrating them. (I. Hauser, 1st grade teacher)

20. Another teacher and I in our building of 44 teachers have been celebrating the 100th day of school for seven years. I think the idea of giving the children a catalogue to spend their 100 dollars is a great idea. We had just asked what they would like to buy for 100 dollars. (Marcia, 2nd grade teacher, BMSLE Salem, IN)

21. Some other ideas we use are 100 cupcakes with candles and numbered with icing. (parent volunteer to number). We have two other rooms share this with us. Blow up 100 balloons but don't tie some of them... save at least one for every child in the class to play "100 Days" aka "100 Miles". One hundred days, one hundred days, today's the hundreth day of school and we're playing to celebrate the day with you. (Marcia, 2nd grade teacher, BMSLE Salem, IN)

22. We give hearts to 100 children to write one thing they are thankful for and hang in the hallway with the banner "100 Thankful Hearts". Also we have used "100 Reasons We Like School." We have licked a lollipop 100 times; skipped a jump rope 100 times; had the kids bring in pretzels, Teddy Grahams, M & M's, roasted peanuts, Cheerios, miniature marshmallows, chocolate bits, Cheetos, raisins, and Chex cereal (the kids take ten of each and put it in a sandwich zip lock bag). (Marcia, 2nd grade teacher, BMSLE Salem, IN)

23. With 10 days to go we put a sign in the hallway announcing "Be ready only ____ more days!" and we change the number with 9, 8, 7, etc.

24. My Kindergarten Class made a 100 link chain (10 EACH OF 10 COLORS), which we put around and around the principal's neck to wear to our Morning Program ( a daily self esteem assembly) on our 100th day.

25. We have been absolutely quiet for 100 seconds. We have walked 100 steps from our room and marked the spot with construction paper footprints that have our name and room number on them. We have divided into groups and had the 100 toothpick stack-up race. log cabin style. We also have the children bring in a collection of 100 something. The other teacher gives a prize for the "most unusual" ... (the kid's vote). We have had 100 guppies, 100 bars of soap, one child had 100 braids and bows in her hair. (Her mom said it took 4 hours to do and the child fell asleep as she finished!) (Marcia, 2nd grade teacher, BMSLE Salem, IN)

26. Predict how far 100 ice cubes will melt in a clear glass container. Mark the estimations with a Sharpie marker. Start this early in the morning so the children can see the results before they go home. The children send in 100 items to share with classmates. We decorate 100's Day Bags and figure out how many pieces of the items we put into each bag. The children take turns passing out their items and each child has a 100's Day goody bag to take home. ( Pam, kindergarten, Conyers, GA.)

27. As a third grade teacher, I took large safety pins (100) and pinned in a 100 design on my purple sweatshirt dress. Kids loved getting the teacher involved too! (Brenda Bandy, 3rd grade, Wilson, NC)

28. I divide the students into groups and give each group a paper with the numbers 1 to 100 on it. They may use the digits 1 to 100 once for each number) and any mathematical equations to make up the numbers from 1 to100. For example, [(3 x 5) x 2]+1= 31. Fourth grade on up should be able to do this with a simple explanation of the brackets. Papers can be done individually and, after the day's total is written down, sent home for more answers. If you choose the 100th day of the year (which comes in April if I remember correctly) instead of the 100th school day, this can make a nice bulletin board display. I write the numbers upon the bulletin board and students--after having their work checked by another group- put up their answers. The group with the most right answers can get 100 kisses (which most share with their friends) or 100 red hots, etc. (Barbara)

29. To make the 100th day exciting for fourth graders, my class has a goal to receive 100 postcards from the USA and around the World. We started a Geography Post in the Geography Room (Teacher's Lounge on American Online). Different teachers post their addresses and we send a card to all who post. They in turn send a card to us. The children then take the card they received and attach a piece of yarn to the card. They then put the card on the wall, and with a string, connect the card to its originating country/state. This is a fun and exciting way to learn about our country, to learn about the world, to experience different cultures, to integrate reading, writing, social studies, map skills and be part of the 100th Day Celebration. We title our display AROUND THE WORLD IN 100 DAYS. Our "wall" has been a huge success with the students, teachers, parents, administrators and visitors to our building. Ms. Holub even sent us a card last year and the children were so excited that a real author/illustrator wrote to them! We were excited too! Send us a postcard today. We will be sure to send one back to you from the Garden State (New Jersey). (Submitted by: Theresa Licitra, Switlik School, 75 West Veteran's Highway, Jackson, NJ 08527)

30. I challenge the students to find a "G-Rated" video that is exactly 100 minutes long. Then we watch the movie while eating our 100 snacks. (Mary--4th grade)

31. On the100th day I give the students 100 math problems, 100 words to read (when you list the words make these the last 7 words-you have just read one hundred words!), and 100 letters to write in cursive. The children can't believe they did all that work! (BAGELS1@aol.com)

32. On the 100th Day I bring in 100 pennies, dimes, nickels, and quarters. We count the money (it helps us practice counting by 1's, 2's, 5's, and 10's). I also bring in 100-1 dollar bills and we count those in many ways as well. (BAGELS1@aol.com)

33. I collected 100 e-mails from around the world and put them on display on a large bulletin board. I also put up a huge wall world map and put a smiling face were each e-mail came from. This was a wonderful display and I received many comments and alot of support from our towns' officals. Best thing of all is the e-mails are free. This would be much easier this year since I've found so many new teacher sites! (Judy A., First grade)

34. A kindergarten teacher at my school paints a gumball machine. The large black circle is painted on a red square (the base). Then the children do 10 dots of 10 different colors to make 100. It's very colorful! (California)

35. My class surveys 100 students in the school -- using 3rd graders if we don't have 100 2nd graders -- questions from past years have included your favorite cookie, book, and movie. Naturally we graphed the results and posted them in the hall. (Margaret Hill, 2nd grade, Wilkins Elementary, Fayetteville, NC)

36. One class activity is spelling out our names using exactly 100 punched out stars or apples and gluing them to 12 x 18 construction paper. I'm glad we have the Ellison machine now -- I save all the punch outs from the border pieces -- now we use butterflies, larger stars, and circles. These are also posted in the hall outside our door. (Margaret Hill, 2nd grade, Wilkins Elementary, Fayetteville, NC)

37. A teacher in our district came up with the idea of celebrating the101st day of school with a dalamation theme and ending by watching 101 Dalamations. (I. Hauser, 1st grade)

38. My class fills in a form that looks like this: I wish I had 100___________ I wish I had 100__________ I wish I had 100____________ But I'd never want 100__________!!!

39. We draw a picture of what we look like today and what we think we'll look like in 100 years. Some of those results are absolutely hilarious! I've had kids just draw tombstones with RIP on them!

40. We measure 100 steps from our room and see how far it takes us.

41. We bring in collections of 100 things. This collection must be small enough to fit in a gallon size plastic bag.

42. I give the kids 100,000 Dollar candy bars to eat as a treat.

43. I've tried this in 1st and second grade and both grades have loved it. Keep a running list of words that the kids can read by themselves. Every time the class can read a new word, add it to the list until you have 100. (Ellie, 1st grade)

44. All six of our first grade classes make a panel for a quilt that we put together. Each panel has 100 of something on it (daisies, smiley faces, etc.) that the kids draw. (I. Neff, Wisconsin)

45. I let my kids lick a Tootsie Pop 100 times. They love being able to eat candy in class so it's a real treat. (Melanie Wolfe, Kindergarten)

46. We decorate our room with a paper chain made up of 100 links that the kids make with different colors of construction paper and tape. (Joan, 2nd grade teacher)

47. A teacher I know gave me this idea: Make a dot-to-dot drawing with 100 dots (numbered 1-100. I made a picture of a schoolhouse with the door and a bell already drawn in. She made a picture of a spider. (Katie B.)

48. I teach in Texas and we have a mixture of Hispanic and non-Hispanic students. So we say numbers from 1-100 in English and from 1-100 in Spanish on the 100th day of school. (Frieda, El Paso, Texas)

49. Give your class a task and see how many of it they can do in 100 seconds. I tried 100 minutes, but they lost interest. I have them see how many of something they can color (like daisies or hearts). (Ms. Hart)

50. Make 100 day hats. We look at the hats in the Scholastic book, The 100th Day of School, and then make our own hats. Each hat has to have 100 of something on it. Something drawn or glued on. It can be 100 different things or the same things. (Ellen W., 1-2nd grade)

51. I make play money, photocopy it, and give each student 100 one dollar bills. They can 'buy' privileges on the 100th Day. Things like getting to erase the board or go sit with a friend. I make a list of things to choose from and the price, and every hour they get to choose something and they pay for it. It's chaotic, but fun. (Z. Hotzman)

52. Use time as a factor. Example: How many times can you do knee bends in 100 seconds? How many times can you write your name in 100 seconds, etc. The children love to do the physical things and love to be timed. (Zukey5, grade 2)

53. At our school we celebrate by having an assembly for K, 1, and 2. The principal gives a 100 word speech at the 100th minute and we pop 100 balloons which have been pinned on the stage curtains - counting as we go. very loud and very fun Each class does a very short song, skit, rhyme or group activity to entertain us and then we return to our classrooms where we ha ve cakes with 100 candles that we blow out. (Chris LaBour, 1st grade)

54. I have my kindergarteners do some physical education things as part of our 100th day contract--Do 100 jumping jacks; jump rope 100 times, bounce a ball 100 times, hop on 1 foot 100 times, take a 100 step walk around the school. We also work a 100 piece puzzle; write our name on a 100 grid paper and then color to make a pattern; write the number from1-100; read the books One Hundred Monkeys; The Wolf's Chicken Stew (They draw what the wolf gave to the chicken family.). (tlau@artoo.gisd.k12.mi.us)

55. I organized a100 Jokes e-mail project three years ago. I requested jokes from classes and individuals all over the world for the 100th day of school. I made a bulletin board and sent a list of the jokes to each participating class. The year before I did a similar project that asked for classes and individuals to tell what they would like 100 of, and what they would do with them. Some were very moving. "I'd like 100 million dollars to provide housing for the homeless of London." (Richard Karch, Kindergarten teacher, Mendocino Grammar School, Mendocino, CA 95460)

56. Get a real hundred dollar bill and ask the children to draw what they would buy with the money. (Suzi Maines, Central Elementary, Lebanon, IN)

57. Everyone starts at the same point. Have the children take 100 steps. Place a cut out of their foot where they stopped. It is interesting then to compare how everyone is different and takes different steps. (Suzi Maines, Central Elementary, Lebanon, IN)

58. Draw a school bus on large paper. The bus needs ten windows. Have the children take turns drawing faces in the bus window. There need to be 10 faces in each window. (10X10=100) They're learning multiplication and don't even know it! (Suzi Maines, Central Elementary, Lebanon, IN)

59. Use linking cubes or toothpicks against a wall (perhaps in a hallway) and have the child predict how long a hundred items would be end to end. The child puts one object for the start down and one for where they think it will go to and then begins counting. (Suzi Maines, Central Elementary, Lebanon, IN)

60. Before school started I purchased a 100 piece puzzle. Each day when we do our calendar in my Kindergarten class, we add 1 piece to the puzzle. We make predictions about what we think the puzzle will look like. We will have to wait until day 100 to know for sure. I numbered the pieces on the back. The outside edges will be done first. We talk about how when you put any puzzle together, it is easier if you do the outside edges first. Then we talk about how to match colors and how the shapes fit together. The children are really enjoying this activity. They are also working with each other and putting more floor puzzles together.

61. On the 100th day of school, we read the book The Wolf's Chicken Stew, and then we make and try to eat 100 pancakes! I make small pancakes, so it's easy to make 100, and one big box of Bisquick is all it takes! (Kim Evanson)

62. We do some estimating. Last year I put three bottles out with unpopped popcorn kernels. All you need for this is baby jars. Have the kids guess which jar has a hundred seeds. They will be surprised (as you will) at how few seeds make a hundred! (Stefanie, Kanata, Ontario, Canada)

63. What we did in first grade for 100 Day was great!! There were 5 sections. Each teacher came up with one project or activity the kids could do that would last a half hour. We made up a schedule and had the classes rotate to each room throughout the morning. The teachers were able to teach the same lesson to all the 1st grade classes. The children enjoyed the activities as well as being in other classrooms!! (J. Crothers, 2nd Grade)

64. I include10-12 things for my students to do during the week that 100th day falls. They must complete any 6. Some of their choices: complete a 100 piece puzzle by yourself or a friend--write the name of the person who helped you; write your numbers from 1-100; using a 100 grid paper, write your first name over and over again, color each letter a different way then continue the pattern to make a quilt; do the physical education acivities--100 jumping jacks, bounce a ball 100 times, twirl a hula hoop 100 times, run in place 100 seconds, do 100 toe touches; take a 100 step walk around the school. put your footstep down where your 100th step was; read the book The Wolf's Chicken Stew--draw the things the wolf made to fatten the chicken; make a 100 word book--your book has 10 pages write a different category on each page(boys' names, girl's names, fruits, months, colors, toys, etc), then write 10 words for each category; make a necklace using 100 fruit loops--put them in a pattern or group by ten; make a chain using 100 links--how far will this go around the room?; find things in the room that are 100 cm long; make a gorp mix--use ten different items (marshmallows, peanuts, choco chips, cheeze its, stick pretzels, dinner mints, etc) teake 10 of each item; How many times can you write your name in 100 seconds? These are some of the things I put on the contract depending on the age and maturity of my students. (Andi)

65. Our school celebrates the 100th day by making a big book. Each grade level thinks of 100 things to include in a book.Examples would be paperclips,pennies,book titles and etc.We put the book together on fasteners and title it.It is so fun to look at and share with your class. (Peggy, Tomahawk School in Lynchburg, Virginia)

66. Beside many of the above mentioned ideas, my Kindergarten class celebrates 100th Day by finishing a 100 sticker chart. Each child has a manilla tag sheet approximately 18 x 24 divided into 10 sections. After each ten days in school, the children fill one section with 10 stickers. As each section is completed we practice counting by 10's. The chart is begun in September and is completed in February with 100th day. By the time we reach 90 the children are very excited and are counting down the days to 100th day. Each child brings a 100 item collection for sharing and display. Older buddies come and assist younger buddies to make a 100 Fruitloop necklace. At the end of the day each child takes home a 100th Day Certificate. (Pam - K teacher)

67. We read Angela Meadearis' and your wonderful book, The 100th Day of School. It's a 100th day staple at our school. We also like 12 Ways to Get to 11 by Eve Merriam and One Hundred Hungry Ants by E. Pinczes. We also build a structure using 100 paper cups. I get the little brightly colored ones. The kids love it and it's not messy. I've also used Legos or checkers. (Marjorie H., Washington)

68. I have my first graders pair up and count 100 objects from our math center. (unifix cubes, pattern blocks, shells, caps, etc.) They make 10 piles of 10. Then the 100 objects are placed in a plastic bag. When everyone is finished we gather around the balance scale and estimate if 100 pattern blocks will weigh more/less than 100 cubes. I select one object to remain constant and we weigh everything against that. (First grade teacher)

69. I read the book Alexander Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst. Before the second reading I put out 100 cents and we all count it together. Then I read it again and as Alexander loses his money one of the students removes that much money from the pile. When the story is finished there is no money left. (First grade teacher)

70. It's sometimes difficult for young kinders and sometimes, first graders to understand the concept of 100. I use a hundreds chart in the classroom beginning on day one. We do our calendar activity, followed by coloring in the hundreds chart. For example, this year we colored in all the numbers blue (use vis-a-vis or sharpie), except the 5's and 10's. Students can see the pattern of counting by 5 and 10's as the pattern builds. Some of my students can predict what day of the week will be the 30th, 40th, day of school. We have a wonderful mastery teacher, who has created a character called Zelda Zero - and this summer made videos. Each day ending in zero, will find Zelda presenting a math activity. If interested in this information contact our Mentor School - Stanly Elementary in Victoria, Texas. (N.Fogal-1st grade)

71. On the 100th day of school our kindergartners meet in the cafeteria to celebrate. We have 100 cupcakes lit and sing "Happy 100 Day to Us". The eight teachers dress up to look like we are 100 years old - canes, bifocals, hair nets and good sturdy shoes. We lead the singing and then sing & dance for the children (100 year old Rockettes). (Suzanne Harrison/Georgetown, TX)

72. Our first grade team (10 classes) made a huge cake. Each classroom made a cake using the cafeteria cookie sheets and iced each one in chocolate. We put them all together to make one huge cake. Each class placed 10 candles on the large cake and we did math exercises with tens and ones. We did this in the atrium of the school and all 240+ first graders gathered around the cake to blow out the candles. The local newspaper sent a photographer and we made the front page. It was an easy way to make a large cake that was large enough for everyone to have a piece. (First Grade Team, Thomasville Primary School, Thomasville, NC)

73. In January, after our holiday vacation, I ask my Kindergartners to predict which month Day 100 will be in. On a graph with the months January - June represented, children write their name under the month they predict. It is interesting to note the children who can figure it out by looking at our daily number on the number line, and the children who have not figured out the concept of time yet. (M. Foster - Sanford Street School, NY)

74. In my kindergarten class about a week before the 100th day, I give my students an at home project for the 100th day. They are to create a picture or project with 100th things such as beans, pasta,cottonballs or any common household item.The students are to bring them in on the 100th day. There have been some very creative ones in the last 6 years such as 100 cherry Lifesavers on a huge tree, 100 mini muffins, 100 pennies,100 noodle-os used as snowflakes in a winter picture. We also had a woman visit who was 103 years old. (Kathy H.)

75. As a school, we had reading goals for each grade level (read for 100 minutes, read 100 books class-wide etc.) On the 100th day when our goals were met, we released 100 pigeons over the playground! The birds fly around for about 5 minutes and then fly for home (Nancy, Title 1 Reading Teacher)

76. Here are 3 ideas I have seen used in our school since I have been principal: 1) 100th day snack: each child brings 100 small items to add to a large bowl and to create a snack mix. Ideas include 100 cheerios, 100 peanuts,100 chocolate chips etc. 2) 100 math challenge: Assign each letter of the alphabet a point value. A=1, B=2, C=3 etc. Children are asked to write words that equal 100 points. 3) 100 estimating jars: Fill three clear plastic jars (like peanut butter jars) with 100 small items, more than 100, less than 100. Each jar should have the same item such as candy corn, popcorn, small marshmallows. Label each jar Jar A, Jar B, Jar C. Students estimate which jar has exactly 100 items.

77. 1) I cut a 100's chart into puzzle pieces and the kids put them back together. 2) I read the story 10 Apples Up On Top and then let them pick 10 different animals and draw 10 apples on each animal. 3) We make the 100 book in the shape of 100. They write sentences with I would like ... I would NOT like... I wish I could do ... I have the kids make up their own sentences. 4) We use a blank 100's chart with our last names. Then connect in a quilt. 5) We carry our celebration another day, dress up as dalmations, and watch the movie. (Sandy/Kindergarten) 78. We have students think of words to fill in the blanks: Since most of the kindergarten students are not reading, we help them. (Camelot Elem. School, TX) I can jump 100 _______________. I can run 100 ______________. I can do 100 _____________. But I could never do 100 ____________.

79. Have the children complete and illustrate the following sentence frame: I could eat 100 but I could never eat 100 ______. I encourage the children to make an association between the two ideas. Examples: "I could eat 100 cheerios but I could never eat 100 doughnuts." "I could eat 100 chocolate chips but I could never eat 100 chocolate chip cookies." "I could eat 100 raisins but I could never eat 100 apples." (Jane Peterson, 1st grade teacher)

80. We live in an area where we have lots of snow on the 100th day of school. Last year the children worked in small groups and measured 100 inches and 100 centimeters on bulletin board paper. Then I had them trace around big circles (food trays, pizza etc.) to make a snowman 100 inches or 100 centimeters tall. The children then drew faces and clothing to finish their snowpeople. We hung them in the hallway to show the comparison. This activity could be extended to make it an outside activity. We did also go outside and make 100 snowballs. (Which are usually strictly forbidden!) Before we made the snowballs the children figured out how many snowballs each of us would have to make. We brought the snowballs inside and let them melt after we predicted how much water would result from the snowballs melting. I showed them various size jars that we had been using for other estimating activities. This activity tied in nicely with our math and our science (the states of matter). (Diane/1/MI)

81. Our 100th day usually falls near Valentine's Day and we attempt to make the celebration coincide with a theme or holiday. Last year, we gave each kindergartner a huge red posterboard heart and they attached 100 things they loved to it. We made body prints, had students color them and attached their hearts to the hands to resemble students holding the 100 things they loved. (Robert Winters, Jill Davis; Kindergarten teachers, Dennis Elementary, Decatur, IL)

82. At the end of our day of activities to celebrate the 100th Day we "eat 100". Using 1 small (about 3 inches) pretzel log and two miniature donuts we form 100, and then eat it with some apple juice to wash it down. Measurement: We link 100 standard paper clips together and 100 larger paper clips together and compare the lengths of both. Volume: For homework the children bring in sandwich bags filled with 100 of any item of their choice from home (toothpicks, noodles, cereals, buttons, etc.) We then compare the bags and discuss the volume variations. Time: Using a timer set for 50 minutes and then another 50 minutes, see how long 100 minutes is. Children will predict what they will be doing in 100 minutes before setting the timer. Money: Chart ways to make 100 cents. Language Arts: The children list 100 words they know. (Carol, Primary-Special Education)

83. For the 100th day of school I wear 100 of my holiday pins all over a sweatshirt. Most of them are Hallmark pins that I have had awhile. The kids love to look me over all day to find their favorite. Some play music or wind up to do something. It makes for a very "heavy" day. I teach 2nd graders. I've enjoyed visiting your web site and getting new ideas.

84. We sing the following song to the tune of "I've Been Working on the Railroad" : We've been working in our classroom. For 100 days! We've been working in our classroom. Here in (fill in grade) grade! Rising early in the morning. Bring our books and pencils, too! Every day at (school name).We learn something new! 100 day is here, 100 day is here. Come on and give a cheer! 100 day is here, 100 day is here. Come on and give a cheer! Hooray! (ASL)

85. Using a blank 100's chart have the children write their names over and over again, one letter in each square, moving left to right and continuing on to the next line without leaving any empty spaces. Completely fill in the 100's chart. Then have them color it using their letters for a key. Example: For the name Jane--all j's on the chart might be colored red; a's, blue; n's, green; and e's, yellow. It's fun to see the different colored patterns that result (some students names create stripes, others create diagonals, and with names longer than 10 letters the results can really be unusual.) The colored charts make a great display on the wall! (Jane Peterson, 1st grade teacher)

86. Each student who has perfect attendance for the 100 days of school receives a perfect attendance certificate. Another idea--For a contest, each student is given a piece of paper and a pencil to secure 100 signatures at recess. The one getting 100 signatures or the closest to 100 is the winner. (Julie McRae, 2nd grade, Dierks Elementary School, Dierks, Arkansas.)

87. Write 100 paragraphs on 100 different festivals or special days, including country of origin and a couple of customs from, one paragraph per child. The kids may either draw a holiday from a hat (brief descriptions prepared by us), or find one on their own. This site was helpful: The World Wide Holiday and Festival Page at http://www.smiley.cy.net/bdecie/index.html (Lin, 6th-grade)

88. Here's a 100 days idea to work on throughout the year. My class assembles individual books - one page for each 10 days of school. We use a different art process on each page. Each group of ten represents the upcoming holiday or theme being studied. For example, this year's pages were: 10 apples on a tree (apple cookie cutter prints); 20 buttons on a shirt (use real buttons); 30 stars in the nightime sky (star stickers); 40 pumpkin seeds in a pumpkin (use real seeds); 50 leaves on a tree (paint hand and arm brown to make tree, use 5 different colored paints and fingerprints for leaves); 60 feathers on a turkey (strips of paper); 70 ornaments on a tree (small circles glued on); 80 snowflakes in a blizzard(anowflake stamps); 90 gumballs in a gumball machine (garage sale stickers); 100 dots on a dalmation (black finger prints on a dog outline). We used a full sheet of 12 x 18 construction paper and bind them on our book binding machine. It is always a wonderful keepsake and a good way to review the year's activities. Thanks for sharing all your ideas! Happy 100th day!!! (Rhonda, PreK at St. Leonard School in Berwyn, Illinois)

89. I draw 100 squares on three different sheet