Fun Friday & a Catch Up Day

This quarter has been a tough one with sicknesses and absences in my class. I could count on two hands...maybe even on one... the amount of days I have had all my students together in the classroom and we are 7 weeks in!

Let's face it. When students are out, it is difficult to get them caught up. Gone are the days when you can just send all that work home and expect it to come back finished. The way we teach math now is a huge factor...parents feel like they cannot help because they do not understand the methods themselves. 

So...with all that missing work, I decided a Fun Friday was in order to help motivate my students to work quickly and stay focused. I announced it ahead of time and then prepared some activities the night before.

Fun Friday Activities

I knew I wanted a menu of ideas that my students could choose from for Fun Friday. They had to be learning related and cover a wide variety of skills. So here's a look at the 13 activities I came up with:

1. And then...stories

This comes with a box-shaped book that opens to reveal different story starter cards. Students choose a card, read the beginning of the story, and then use their own creativity to finish it off. 

2. Reader's Theater

I copied several reader's theater scripts. Students enjoy doing plays and reading through scripts. This is a great way to practice fluency and especially reading expression. 

3. Multiplication Draw & Trace

This is a new game I have created that I put out so my students could continue to practice their multiplication facts, but in a fun way. Each student gets a board that focuses on one set of facts. They shuffle the facts for each board together. Then they take turns drawing an equation. If the product is on their board, they trace it. If not, they return it to the draw pile. The first person who fills their board wins. 

4. Extreme Dot-to-Dots

This is a childhood favorite...dot-to-dots, but with a challenging twist. These dot to dots go to 500! It's a great practice for number sense for students, especially younger ones like 2nd-4th graders. This book had different animal ones included.

5. ABC Art

This sheet comes with 26 spaces, one for each letter of the alphabet. Students create art from a-z with each box focusing in on one alphabet letter. They should create mini masterpieces that feature items beginning with each of the letters of the alphabet. Another more challenging twist would be to give them a theme...like ABC's of the Northeast or Native American ABCs...the sky is the limit. 

 6. Draw Write Now

This book is full of step-by-step drawings and written paragraphs about animals from the arctic. All I have to do is add some paper with a drawing spot and handwriting lines. I have my students read the paragraph and write the same words in cursive. They also draw the picture and color it. Easy peasy!

7. Seek and Find Books

These books are a lot of fun. They come in many different themes and over the years I have collected so many different ones. Students love to work with a friend on these books. They look for a list of items hidden in plain sight on each page. I don't bring these out often, but when I do, the students love them.

8. Puzzles

I brought out a big puzzle and this was one of the first things that the students did. This was a 400 piece puzzle, but it had large pieces, so it wasn't too hard. A group of students literally spent hours around this puzzle chatting and were so proud when they had completed it all. They wanted a picture of it sent home...and of course I obliged. 

9. Kandinsky Art Station

I set up a station where students could watch a small video about Kandinsky and his art. They had a biography poster they could fill out with information they learned. Then they were suppose to recreate one of Kandinsky's circles art pieces. They could choose to go traditional with circles or change it up and do hearts. Or, if they wanted, they could change it up and do another set of concentric shapes. 

10 & 11 Legos:

At one station, we had small Lego STEM challenge cards. At another, it was a Lego art challenge. Students were tasked with drawing using the Art for Kids Hub and then recreating their drawing using Legos.

 12. Floating Flower STEM

In this challenge, students planned and created floating flowers. The flowers had to be able to float independently for at least one minute. There were size constraints as well. 

13. Online Jeopardy

In the final rotation, we had a Jeopardy game that was on one of our class IPADS. Students could compete against another student or team of students. Ours was a Bible theme, but you can find all sorts of free Jeopardy games for many different topics.

The best part of all of this is that I did not spend money on anything. I either had it, found it for free, or created it myself. 

At the end of the day, students were asking when our next Fun Friday would be. I call that a win! 

Test Prep Without Stress: Fun Test Prep Review Games for Grades 3-5 That Students Actually Love

By February, test prep season starts creeping into the upper elementary classroom -- and let's be honest, traditional review packets are not something that sparks excitement. But, there's good news. Review doesn't have to feel like a drill or a thousand extra worksheets. When you turn practice into a game, class engagement skyrockets, participation increases, and your students retain even more content.

If your goal is high engagement + meaningful review + zero groans, these three classroom-tested games deliver every single time. 

Why Review Games Work

Upper elementary students thrive when learning feels:

• active
• social
• competitive (in just the right amount)
• low-pressure
• fun

Games tap into all five. Instead of fearing mistakes, students become willing to try, discuss, and revise answers --which is exactly what a strong review should do.

Game 1: Boom Clap Snatch

Best for: quick recall, math facts, vocabulary, grammar, science terms

Time: 10-20 minutes

Energy Level: High (students love this one)

How to Play

1. Students are paired off.

2. Fold four index cards in half to create a tent. Write A, B, C, or D on the front and back of each tent (one letter repeated on the front and back of each card). These will be for multiple choice.

3. The teacher asks a question and lists four different choices.

4. Students perform the rhythm together: Boom (hit desk with open palms), Clap (clap hands), snatch (be the first in the pair to grab the correct answer)

5. If the student is correct, they receive a point. I have the pairs keep track of their points on a sticky note.

Why Students Love It

This game combines rhythm, competition, and quick thinking. It builds suspense and the physical motion helps kinesthetic learners stay focused and alert.

Teacher Tip

Use it even as a 5-minute review opener before a lesson to activate prior knowledge.

Game 2: Grudge Ball

Best for: spiral review, test prep questions, mixed skill review

Time: 20-30 minutes

Energy Level: Medium-high with teamwork

How to Play: 

1. Divide class into teams. You can have more than two if you wish. Draw a table with space for each team and under each of the team names, add between 5 & 10 "x's" depending on how much time you want to play. more x's will make a longer game. 

2. I like for each student to have a white board. All students answer every question. That way all students are engaged.

3. The teacher will ask a review question. 

 

4. If everyone on the team gets the correct answer, the team will first erase one X from another team. 

5. Then one person from the team will try to shoot a ball (I use a wadded up paper) into a trash can or basket. 

6. If they make the basket, they can add one "x" back to their team. 

7. The last team with "x's" wins. You may not erase or throw a ball into the basket if your team runs out of points, but you will still be required to answer on your white board until the end of the game.

Why Students Love it

The strategy element makes this game unforgettable. Even students who normally stay quiet want to participate because their answer affects the team's score. 

Teacher Tip

You can even require teams to explain answers before shooting to reinforce academic language to make the game more rigorous if you choose. 

Game 3: Blooket

Best for: digital review, test practice, homework review, independent centers

Time: flexible

Energy Level: Controlled excitement

Why Teachers Love It

• auto-grades responses
• tracks student data
• works for any subject
• students beg to play

Classroom Ideas

• Friday Review Tournament
• Early Finisher Station
• Partner Mode for Collaboration
• Homework Review Challenge

Teacher Tip

Choose game modes that reward accuracy instead of speed when reviewing new material

Pro Strategy: Rotate Games Weekly

Instead of repeating the same review game activity, rotate formats:

Day                        Game

Monday                  Boom Clap Snatch

Wednesday            Blooket

Friday                    Grudge Ball

This keeps the novelty high while still reinforcing the same standards.

Bonus Classroom Management Trick

Before starting any review game say something like this:

"We only play if we can learn."

If noise or behavior gets off track, pause the game. Students quickly self-correct because they want to keep playing.

Why This Matters for Test Prep

When review feels fun: 

• anxiety drops
• participation increases
• retention improves
• confidence builds

And confident students perform better --not because they memorized answers, but because they practiced skills repeatedly in meaningful ways.

Teacher Takeaway:

If your class groans when you say "review" you don't need new content -- you need a new format.

Valentine's Day Party: I Love My Students a Waffle Lot...You Butter Believe It!

I LOVE throwing a great party! It is fun to bring an over-the-top party to my classroom. Over the years, I have thrown different parties. Here's a look at a few of my classroom celebrations for Valentine's Day.

1. Donuts Valentine's Day Class Party

One year, I hosted a donut party. We needed a sweet treat, and donuts were just the thing. We had glazed donuts and I brought some pink frosting and sprinkles to decorate with. We read several Valentine's Day books. Everyone received a donut eraser from me as well as a set of Valentine teeth holding a rose. The teeth could be wound up and walk...so fun. I bought a class set of hashtag blocks and we did a STEM challenge with them. We also build Valentine bridges following the STEM method. 

2. Pizza Valentine's Day Class Party

I Love You to Pizzas was a fun way to celebrate as well. We had an Italian restaurant and students made pizzas from scratch and baked their own heart-shaped pizzas. We used our newly acquired fraction skills to double a recipe and make the dough. It was a tasty math lesson and a truly fun day of LOVE. 

3. Waffle Valentine's Day Class Party

One year, a friend of mine did a waffle party. I had to try it the very next year. I found some clipart, brought my waffle maker and we enjoyed a waffle breakfast. I knew that it would take a while to make fresh waffles, so I set the tables with activities that students could do while waiting. We had a heart-shaped book for drawing or writing, a Valentine word search, a fun new Valentine pencil with a heart topper, and a set of tic-tac-toe games for every two students. The theme was: I love you a waffle lot!

Overall, I enjoyed it a lot. This was several years ago, and it's time to bring it all back with a bit of a twist...stay tuned.

4. Another Waffle Party

I have been preparing for this year's Valentine's Day party. I am bringing back the Waffle breakfast party. I am taking it up a notch with new clipart and activities. Here's what I have so far. 

I am sending a breakfast invitation the night before. Students will be given a card that says, I love you a waffle lot. You butter believe it. I used some Shopkins-style clipart to create everything. This time, we have some of the same activities, only I have recreated them in the waffle theme. We will have a waffle-themed Tic-Tac-Toe game, pencils, special Valentine's that are waffle-themed. We will have a word search and a STEM activity with heart-shaped gummies and toothpicks. 

I am excited to have a fun day. This year, we are celebrating two days before Valentine's Day, because it is over the weekend and we are out of school on Friday. Thursday is also a 1/2 day, so it will be a perfect party day. 

This is the vibe I am going for. I think it is super cute and that my students will love it! Can't wait until our party!

Valentine's Day Resources

Here are some extra fun resources to get your party started. 

Valentine's Day Class Coupons

Give your students the fun gift of classroom privilege coupons in this cute Valentine's Day envelope that opens to reveal eight coupons. Click the link above.

Valentine's Day History Reading Comprehension

If you love to teach your students the history of the holidays, this is just up your alley. Students will learn about Seven traditions around the Valentine Holiday. This resource also includes other extension activities. Click the link above to purchase this resource. 

What are your plans this season? Whatever you do, I hope that you find a way to help your students feel extra loved today. 

Meaningful Black History Month Activities for Upper Elementary Students

Black History Month is an important opportunity to move beyond surface-level lessons and help students truly understand the people, stories, and impact of African Americans throughout history. For upper elementary students (grades 3-5), the goal is to balance age-appropriate content with depth, critical thinking, and reflection. 

One of the most effective ways to do this is through Black History comprehension passages paired with reflection activities and biography writing booklets. This combination allows students to read, analyze, and then apply their learning by writing about a famous African Americans in their own words. 

Below you will hear how this approach creates meaningful learning -- and how you can use it in your classroom. 

Why Comprehension + Writing Works for Black History Month

Upper elementary students are developmentally ready to: 

• Analyze nonfiction text
• Identify main ideas and key details
• Reflect on character traits and challenges
• Make connections between past and present

 Using Black History reading passages grounds students in facts, while writing booklets help them process and synthesize information in a meaningful way. 

This structure supports:

• Reading comprehension standards
• Informational writing skills
• Social studies content knowledge
• Culturally responsive teaching

Activity 1: Black History Comprehension Passages with Purpose

Start with focused, student-friendly comprehension passages about famous African Americans. Each passage highlights:

• Early life and background
• Major accomplishments
• Obstacles or challenges faced
• Lasting impact on society

Pair passages with thoughtful questions such as:

• What challenges did this person overcome?
• Why is this person remembered today?
• How did their actions help others?

These questions encourage students to move beyond beyond facts and into critical thinking and discussion. 

Activity 2: Biography Writing Booklets

After reading, responding, and discussing students transition into writing by completing a  biography booklet of their own. This step is key for deeper learning.

A strong upper-elementary biography booklet includes:

• A title page with the person's name
• All About
• Early Life section
• Famous For (Why this person matters today)
• Fun Facts
• Timeline

This structure helps students organize their thoughts while practicing informational writing in a manageable, engaging format.

Activity 3: Student Choice for Deeper Engagement

Whenever possible allow students to choose which famous African American they want to write about. Choice increases motivation and ownership while allowing for differentiation. 

You can:

• Provide several comprehension passages and let students select one
• Assign different figures to small groups
• Rotate passages through literacy centers

This flexibility makes the activities easy to use in whole-group lessons, small groups or independent work. 

Activity 4: Meaningful Reflection (Not Just a Final Product)

To keep Black History Month meaningful, include time for reflection. Encourage students to think about: 

• How this person's life connects to fairness, perseverance, or leadership 
• What lessons we can learn today
• How change can start with one person

These reflections can be written, discussed, or shared in partner conversations.

Why This Works for Teachers

This type of Black History Month resource:

• Saves prep time
• Aligns with reading and writing standards
• Works across multiple grade levels
• Encourages respectful, meaningful learning
• Goes beyond crafts or worksheets

Most importantly, it helps students see African American history as an essential part of American history, not a side topic.

Final Thoughts

Using Black History comprehension passages paired with biography writing booklets allows upper elementary students to read, think, write, and reflect in purposeful ways. These activities create lasting understanding while honoring the lives and contributions of famous African Americans. 

When students can explain who someone was, what they accomplished, and why they matter, Black History Month becomes more than a unit --it becomes meaningful learning. 

Ready to make Black History Month meaningful and manageable in your classroom? 

This set of Black History comprehension passages and biography writing booklets gives your upper elementary students the structure they need to read deeply, think critically, and write with purpose --without adding extra prep to your plate. Perfect for grades 3-5 (I have even used it with second graders), these activities work seamlessly for whole-group lessons, small groups, literacy centers, or independent work. 

Click here to grab the resource and bring purposeful Black History learning into your classroom today. 

Save big with the classroom bundle and allow for student choice!

African Americans Included:

• Martin Luther King Jr. 
• Lydia Newman
• Dr. Daniel Hale Williams
• Bessie Coleman
• Rosa Parks
• Mary Jane Mcleod Bethune
• Dr. Charles Drew
• Garrett Morgan
• Harriett Tubman

Your students will build reading and writing skills while honoring the stories and contributions of influential African Americans --and you'll feel confident knowing your lessons go beyond worksheets and truly matter.