Have you heard about the 4th day of 4th grade celebration?!?!
The first week of school is all about setting the tone for the year, building classroom community, and getting to know your students. It can be tough to find ways to do all of these things in one week, but we have ideas for you.
Are you a third or fifth grade teacher? Check out the one-pager for third and fifth grade! Then, change the games to be three or five!
If you are anything like me, you love celebrating! Every holiday in my family was celebrated like it was a big deal, even when looking back, nobody else did. Traditions overflowed, from reading back to school books before the big first day of school (check out some fun reads here) to making chocolate pilgrim hats while watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to visiting a giant green-colored fountain on St. Patrick’s Day while the corned beef was simmering in the slow cooker. So, why not celebrate something new: Click here!
Here are some engaging and educational activities to make the 4th day of 4th grade a day your students will remember. These activities are designed to encourage creativity, teamwork, and a love for learning while reinforcing core skills. Plus, we’ve included a fun resource just for you—a one-pager to help your students reflect on their goals and aspirations for the year that is perfect for a bulletin board. Let’s dive in!
Objective: Encourage movement and decision-making.
Start the day with some energy! Label each corner of your classroom with numbers 1, 2, 3, and 4. Then, ask questions where the answers correspond to these numbers. For example, “Which season is your favorite? 1 for Winter, 2 for Spring, 3 for Summer, 4 for Fall.” Students move to the corner that matches their answer. After each round, pick a few students to share why they chose that corner. It’s a great way to get them moving and thinking critically about their choices.
Objective: Reinforce math skills.
Challenge your students to find four interesting facts about the number 4. These could be math-related (like 4×4=16), historical events that occurred every four years, or identifying four-sided shapes like quadrilaterals. This activity not only strengthens their math skills but also encourages them to think outside the box.
Objective: Spark creativity and narrative skills.
Hand out four random items to each student (these could be pictures or small objects). Their task? To weave these items into a short story. This challenge is an excellent way to introduce creative writing and to see your students’ imaginations in action. You might be surprised by the unique and inventive stories they come up with! This is also fun in small groups!
Objective: Promote teamwork and engineering skills.
Divide your students into groups and give each group four types of materials—like straws, tape, paper clips, and rubber bands. Their mission: to build the tallest or most creative structure possible using only those materials. Afterward, discuss the strategies they used, what worked well, and what they would do differently next time. This hands-on activity fosters teamwork and critical thinking.
Objective: Encourage self-expression and sharing.
Invite each student to share four facts about themselves, either through writing or speaking. They can talk about their favorite hobbies, unique talents, places they’ve visited, or what they want to learn this year. This activity helps students learn more about each other and build connections from day one.
Objective: Review basic math operations.
Set up four stations around your classroom, each focused on one of the four basic operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Divide your students into teams and have them rotate through the stations, solving problems at each one. The team that finishes all four stations the fastest (and correctly) wins! This fast-paced activity is a fun way to reinforce math skills. Remember to remind students to work as a team!
Objective: Reflect on the first week of school.
At the end of the day, give each student a piece of paper divided into four sections. Label each section with prompts like “My favorite part of the week,” “Something I learned,” “A goal for next week,” and “Something I’m excited about.” Have your students fill out each square and then share their reflections with the class. This activity helps them process their first week and sets positive intentions for the weeks to come.
Objective: Build connections and teamwork.
Pair students up and have them find four things they have in common. They can write or draw these on a piece of paper. Afterward, they can share their findings with the class. This activity not only fosters teamwork but also helps students discover common interests, laying the groundwork for strong classroom relationships.
As a fun wrap-up for the day, we’ve created a special worksheet that encourages students to reflect on what they’ve already learned, what makes them unique, and what they’re looking forward to this year. You can download and print this reflection sheet to use as a classroom activity or homework assignment. It’s a great way to get your students thinking about their goals and how they can make the most of fourth grade. Click here to check it out!
Let’s make this fourth day of fourth grade one to remember! These activities not only reinforce important academic skills but also help to create a positive and collaborative classroom environment. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead!
Minds in Bloom
We built our reputation on quality. With a history of over 12 million downloads by more than a million teachers, you can trust Minds in Bloom to provide standards-based learning materials your students will love!
Quick Links