Welcome to our seasonal activities blog index page, where you can find all our blog posts for upper elementary teachers on various seasonal topics. Teaching can be challenging, especially when you must keep your students interested and motivated throughout the year. That’s why we’ve created a range of blog posts to help you celebrate holidays, special days, and days of celebration with your students.
Whether you are looking for ideas to celebrate holidays such as Christmas and Halloween, special days such as Groundhog Day and April Fool’s Day, or national and worldwide days of celebration such as World Smile Day and King Tut Day, we have some seasonal activities for you. You can find fun and educational activities, games, crafts, books, videos, and more to make these days memorable and meaningful for your students.
You can also browse our blog posts on seasonal activities that enhance your curriculum, such as The Man Who Walked Between the Towers Book Study, which teachers might add to their study of 9/11, and Teaching Students about Kindness, which works well for Valentine’s Day or World Kindness Day. These activities will help your students develop essential skills such as reading comprehension, critical thinking, empathy, and social responsibility.
Our blog posts are designed to provide engaging, creative, and educational resources you can use in your classroom. We hope you enjoy reading them and find them helpful. Happy teaching!
Jan 12
Groundhog Day may seem like a lighthearted holiday, but it’s also a perfect opportunity to mix folklore, science, and a little fun into your February lessons! These Groundhog Day activities for the classroom make it easy to bring the tradition to life. Below you’ll find five classroom‑tested Groundhog Day activities for the classroom that blend …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=2899
Nov 10
Short films are like teacher gold. They’re packed with emotion, story arcs, and teachable moments, all in under five minutes. Around the holidays, nothing beats using Christmas animated shorts for teaching writing skills that spark empathy, creativity, and deep thinking. This set of six Christmas short films gives students rich visuals and heartfelt stories to …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=5623
Oct 20
Every November, I like to take a little time with my students to pause and honor the sacrifices of veterans. Veterans Day is an important holiday, but it can also feel tricky to teach in elementary classrooms. The good news? There are lots of ways to connect Veterans Day to reading, writing, and critical thinking …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=834
Oct 13
Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that sneaks up on teachers – just when you’ve finally found your groove in the school year, boom! You’re planning turkey crafts and writing prompts. If you’re looking for activities that are more than “color a cornucopia,” I’ve got you covered. These ideas mix literacy, critical thinking, and a …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=27440
Apr 28
Celebrate World Bee Day on May 20th with engaging activities highlighting bees’ importance in our ecosystem. This blog post features six interactive World Bee Day activities for students in grades 4-6, allowing them to explore bee-related topics through idioms, literature, conservation efforts, and enjoyable games. Lesson Handout The handout for this blog post is available …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=17387
Mar 24
Arbor Day is a special occasion to celebrate the importance of trees and their positive impact on the environment. It’s a time for students to learn about the natural world, reflect on environmental stewardship, and appreciate trees’ beauty and significance. In this post, I’ve compiled a variety of Arbor Day classroom activities designed to help …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=24597
Feb 24
Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th is a wonderful opportunity to explore the holiday’s rich history and legends with your upper elementary students. St. Patrick’s Day not only commemorates the life of St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, but also offers a glimpse into Irish culture, traditions, and folklore. Lesson Handout Jump into …
Permanent link to this article: https://bookunitsteacher.com/wp/?p=24503
