If you have known me for any length of time, then you know that I love doing over-the-top room transformations and hands-on stuff in my classroom. What I have learned this year is that sometimes small changes in the classroom can still give you the big wins of an over-the-top transformation.
For example, in the middle of our personal narrative unit this year we decided to have a pickle party. A pickle party?! Yes, I know it is a little strange. However, I had a conversation with my students during snack and I was crunching on some pickles (I personally love pickles). My kids came up and explained how they loved pickles. I off-handedly said, “Maybe we should have a pickle party…” And thus the idea of the pickle party was born.
Our pickle party was probably one of the easiest transformation-type activities I have done. I made a poster that said our narratives are a big “dill” and bought some pickles. On the day that my students were going to share their personal narratives, we shared pickles to celebrate. Super Easy!
*side note I did tell students who did not like pickles that they could bring their own snack that day.
My main point in sharing this with you is the fact that sometimes the simple things we do in our class make a huge impact. My students loved the pickle party and talked about it all year. They even begged to have another pickle party.
Other Simple Ideas
- Pickle Party – as described above…
- Do your assignments under your desk- I don’t know about your kids, but my fourth graders loved being under their desks!
- Flashlight Day – Allow kids to complete their work using flashlights.
- Go Outside- If you have the opportunity to take your kids outside – DO IT!! Game changer, even for the most boring assignment!
What ideas do you have? Just remember to think simply and not bank-breaking!
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