January/February Activities - elementary class projects - Brief Article

Instructor, Jan, 2001

Fight Winter Blues With a January Beach Party

One way we brighten the winter months in my classroom is by having a tropical island party/learning unit. We begin by reading Moe the Dog in Tropical Paradise, by Diane Stanley (Putnam, 1987), then use Moe's story as inspiration to create our very own tropical island. My students research the flora and fauna of tropical islands and make paper replicas. Each child draws a species of tropical fish for an ocean-blue mural. We prepare a "becah", complete with seashells for kids to identify, and even have a pool area, with a plastic pool and lawn charis to serve as a reading center. On the big day, everyone dons their summer clothes and sunglasses. Children read and do crossword puzzles by the pool, sort seashells, and enjoy tropical fruit punch with tiny umbrellas in the cups. Like Moe, we are able to forget the snow for a while.

Donette Minsky, Bath Elementary, Bath, MI

Be President for a Day! * Presidents Day

This February, honor all the U.S. presidents with a round of speeches and a parade! Have each student choose one past president to research using library resources and the White House Web site (www.whitehouse.gov). The information gathered can serve as the basis for a brief speech. For the big day, encourage children to dress as their presidents, wearing suit coats and ties, hats, and even whiskers. Invite other classes to a "Presidential Reception" to meet these distinguished American leaders!

Nancy Spittal, Fred N. Cooper Elementary, Fort Dodge, IA

Classroom Post Office * Valentine's Day

Set up a post office in your classroom to sort and process valentines while teaching your students how the postal system works. During February, all of our valentines and other written communications go through our post office. During the first week of the month, children learn bow to address an envelope, read a postage mark, and stamp and process letters. Everyone gets a chance to sort or deliver mail. We also do post office math, calculating how many pieces of mail travel through our class during the busy valentine season, as well as the cost of stamps. A field trip to a U.S. Post Office is a perfect culminating activity for this unit.

Jackie Howes

Kearns Primary School, Granby, CT