Are you looking for fun and engaging ways to celebrate the 100th day of school with your 4th and 5th grade students? As the years go on, the magic and fun of school slowly goes away for some students. However, 4th and 5th graders can have some “fun” celebrating the 100th day of school (and in a way that supports learning). This post shares ideas for math and literacy, as well as generic 100th day of school activities.
100th Day of School Math Activities
There are so many math activities that you can do with the number 100 that target a lot of skills for 4th and 5th graders. Here are a few of my favorites:
Prime and Composite Numbers Hundreds Chart Activity
Use a printable hundreds chart to color code prime and composite numbers. Color prime numbers in one color and composite numbers in another. Have students choose one of each type of number to prove.
Working with Fractions with Denominators 100
There are two easy to implement activities for using fractions with denominators of 100.
- Have students simplify fractions with a denominator of 100. This is a great way to practice a skill that needs lots of practice to perfect. Simplifying fractions is probably my students’ least favorite skill (besides division) because they do all of the fraction operation work and then have one more step. They don’t seem to mind simplifying fractions when it is connected to the 100th day of school, though!
- Present fractions with denominators of 100. Have students convert the fractions into decimals. They could even create models of one or all of the fractions/decimals.
- Students could solve word problems that each have 100 as one of the numbers.
- Students could write algebraic or numerical expressions that each have a 100 in them.
- Students could create equations that equal 100. For 5th graders, you could up the rigor by requiring them to use multiple operations and parentheses (for some order of operations practice).
- Students could solve algebraic equations with variables. Each variable in every equation could have a value of 100.
100th Day of School Literacy Activities
Writing Prompt Ideas
Have students write about what they think life will be like 100 years from now. Encourage students to include details like technological advancements, new inventions, etc.
Have students write about if they woke up and were suddenly 100 years in the future (but the same age). What do they see? What do they do? How do they get back home?
Use an aging app to make students look older. Have them write about their future when they are 100 years old. Encourage students to include details like their career, their family, what daily life is like, etc.
Explore the Root CENT
The root cent means 100. That is a perfect way to tie in morphology with the 100th day of school. Have students generate a list of words that use the root cent. They could choose 2-3 to write in unique sentences and share with partners, small groups, or the entire class.
Parts of Speech Race-Off
Have students work in pairs, triads, or small groups to have parts of speech race-offs. Here are a couple of options:
- Students can generate a list of 100 unique words that are each a specific part of speech. You could assign each group a different part of speech, have them choose, or have them all do the same. Hint: nouns, verbs, and adjectives work best for this type of activity.
- Students can challenge themselves (independently or in pairs/small groups) to come up with 100 words and categorize them by part of speech.
100 Point Words
Assign a point value to each letter in the alphabet. Challenge students to create as many words as possible that equal 100. Up the rigor by including some letter values that are negative.
Click here or on the image below to download the FREE printables for this activity now.
100th Day of School Activities (Not Subject Specific)
1. Create a “100th Day of School Time Capsule”: Have students bring in small items that represent their lives and interests at this point in time. Place all the items in a box and bury it in the school yard (or keep it in a safe place if you don’t have a yard).
2. Have students write letters to their future selves to be opened on the 200th day of school or at the end of the school year.
3. “100 Acts of Kindness Challenge”: Challenge students to perform 100 acts of kindness throughout the day or week. This could be as simple as holding the door open for a classmate or writing a compliment to a teacher. Keep track of the acts of kindness with a class chart or a special notebook.
4. This is a special milestone for students and teachers, and it’s a great opportunity to celebrate all the hard work and progress that has been made so far this school year. Have students reflect on different aspects of the school year and make goals for the rest of the year. This can be in the area of learning, behavior, making friends, etc.
4. Puzzle races! Collect puzzles that have 100 pieces. Challenge students in groups to see who can put together the puzzle in the fastest time.
Want ALLof the 100th Day of School Printables and Activities?
If you like the ideas and activities shared on this post and want all of the printables for the math and literacy ideas ready to use, check out the resource below! It includes all of the printable activities shown on this post.
I do the simplifying fractions with 100 in the denominator because it's great practice for my fourth graders! I'll never forget the worst 100s day we ever had though. In our zest to improve the kids' stamina for their Long Composition MCAS test, someone in our school had the idea of making them write for 100 minutes. It was absolute torture for them! The poor kids. Their siblings all got to run around downstairs collecting 100 little treats from different classrooms, and fourth graders were suffering with a practice test. Never. Again. 100s day math centers are definitely the way forward!
As 5th graders the 100th day actually becomes their 1000th day!! of elementary school since Kinder. We always celebrate that!