Classroom Extension Activities 

Fourth Grade Museum of Historical People

 

The students decide on a person they would like to learn more about.  They are required to read their biography or autobiography and do research from three additional sources.  While they are reading, the students take notes on the important events in that person’s life.

 

Using their notes, each student creates a chronological timeline of important events in that person’s life.  They then illustrate the events using Inspiration software. They also write a report on that person.

 

The project all culminates with each student dressing up as their favorite person in history and reciting a prepared speech about the life of the historical person.  Every student in the school has the opportunity to walk through the “museum.” There is also an open house in the evening where parents can come and visit the “museum.”  

 

Third Grade State Fair

 

Our third grade State Fair allows students to take a trip across the United States of America without leaving our school.  This project introduces students to the fundamentals of research and culminates with a State Fair. 

 

The children have the opportunity to apply what they have learned into the design of a State Fair booth. The second graders, who are beginning their studies of the geography of America, attend the fair as guests.

 

Most importantly, the students enjoy “teaching the littler kids about creative and important things.”

~  Zoe, 2009

 

 Pre-kindergarten Christmas Tea Party

 

One of our most memorable occasions is our pre-kindergarten four holiday party. All of our 4-year-old pre-kindergarten classes join together to celebrate the holiday season. 

The classroom is festively decorated with Christmas teapots and tablecloths and the children are encouraged to wear “dress up” play clothes (grandpa’s hat, grandma’s necklace, daddy’s tie, etc).

 

We encourage our language development with discussion of holiday customs, outfit show and tell, and use our manners as we are served a delightful snack.  Prayer, including the Lord’s Prayer in sign language, songs and learning a special partner dance are also part of this special day.

Grandparents’ Day

 

We honor our grandparents and show our love by inviting them to a special school visit.  On their special day, grandparents with grandchildren in kindergarten through eighth grade are invited to share some school time together.

 

In the three-year-old preschool, grandparents join in circle time, snack and play and the pre-kindergarten four classes offer up a “Thank God for Grandparents” program, (and playtime, of course.

 

We are grateful for the gift of our grandparents and grand ”buddies” who visited with us each year.