Last updated by Linda Kamp on • 31 Comments
Last week marked our 100th day of school. Where does the year go? I thought I’d share some fun ideas for 100th day writing that include vocabulary building and writing personal narratives. Making “centenarian” self-portraits is always a fun project and a great starting point to get kids writing on the 100th day of school.
This oldie but goodie project is always a hit! It’s fun to read how students imagine themselves when they are 100 years old.
Vocabulary Opportunities
Before we write, I begin by teaching vocabulary that I encourage students to use in their writing. Writing about the 100th day of school gives lots of opportunities for reading and writing longer words like retirement, geriatric, elderly, centenarian, senior citizen, and pension to name a few. We startby talking about “retirement”. Most students have no idea what most of this vocabulary meansand a few thought retiremeant to “re-tire” a car, as in change the tire again. (I do love thatthey remembered our lessons on the prefix re- though!) I project these charts as I introduce vocabulary and as students plan their writing.
Planning The100th Day Writing
As students plan their writing I have themconsider a few things. Iask questionslike, “Where do you live?”, “Are you retired?”, “What was your profession?” “Are you married or do you have a family?”, and “What are your hobbies?”. By doing so students are prompted to think aboutseveral different aspects of their imaginary lives that they can include in their writing.
Making the Portraits
After we complete the writing, students make self portraits to show what we look like at 100 years old. These are always so funny and I love how detailed my class gets while embellishing their clothing!
When drawing the faces, I guide students in where to place their eyes by asking them to put their index finger on the top of their ear. I then have them slide their finger forward on their faces until they reach the corner of their eye. This helps them to understand that their eyes are level with their ears and helps to avoid ending up with eyeballs drawn in the middle of their foreheads.
After making the heads and bodies, we used doilies to make ladies’ collars to give the portraits avintage touch! Next, everybody added cotton ballsto make the hair.
These 100th day portraits are always fun to make and a great way to incorporate narrative writing into your 100th day!
Click herefor our 100th Day Activities unit and this 100th day writing project.
100th Day Class Book
In addition to lots of 100th Day math and ELA activitieswe also made a class book titled Things I’ve Been Told 100 Times!
To continue our 100th day writing, everybody made a page to include in our class book with something they’ve been told100 times!
The responses are always priceless and I can just hear their mom or dad saying it 100 times!
My favorite is,” I’ve been told 100 times to put the toilet seat down!” I have 5 brothers and I heard my own mother say that at least 1000 times!
I’ll send you the class book templates FREE! Sign up here to get them sent to your inbox.
For more 100th day language arts and math ideas head over to this post, 100th Day activities in 2nd and 3rd grade.
If you like these ideas, why not share them with your teacher friends on Pinterest or Facebook?
Happy 100th day, friends!
Linda
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Reader Interactions
31 Comments
DeniseCan I please get a copy of Things I’ve Been Told 100 Times
Reply
- Linda
Hi Denise,
Yes! I have fixed the sign up form now. My apologies! Linda
- Peggie
I would love the book templates please.
Reply
- Linda
Hi Peggie,
You can get the book templates by signing up in the form. that way they will be emailed to you.Reply
- Brittany
I have tried to get the freebie emailed to 2 of my accounts and it hasn’t come to either. I checked spam and junk. Can you email it to brittany-murray@hotmail.com?
Reply
- Linda
Hi Brittany,
Let me see if I can help you. On my end I show it was sent to your email address but not opened. I’ve sent it again so be sure to check spam, social, and promotions folders.Reply
- Katherine Bagley
I’d love to do the I’ve been told 100 times. My class is celebrating the 120th day instead of 100th. Is there any way to edit this to say 120 times?
Reply
- Julie Kauffman
I wasn’t able to download the “Things We’ve Been Told 100 Times” book, and I really would love to have it for tomorrow. 🙂 I got your subscription email but when i tried downloading it, the network failed.
Reply
- Linda
Hi Julie,
I believe we emailed and you received the book, right?Reply
- Jacqueline
I subscribed but am unable to get my “Things We’ve Been Told 100 Times” book freebie. Can you please e-mail it to me at jacquelineoguinn@gmail.com. Thanks! It looks so cute!
Reply
- Linda
Hi Jacqueline,
Thanks so much for subscribing! Be sure to check your spam, social, and promotions folders, especially with Gmail, for an email asking you to confirm your subscription that also contains a link to download the class book freebie.Reply
- Elyse Rycroft
Thanks Linda for sharing! Cute stuff!!
Elyse 🙂
Proud to be PrimaryReply
- Bex Mawn
So clever ! Thanks so much for sharing!
-Bex
Reading and Writing RedheadReply
- Barbara
Nice to meet you, Linda. I love your 100 portraits!
❀Barbara❀
Grade ONEderful
Ruby Slippers Blog DesignsReply
- ~DeAnne~
Love it!! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
I'm a new follower and can't wait to see what else you share! 🙂
ღDeAnne
First Grade and FabulousReply
- Linda
Hi Terri! Thanks so much for following!
Reply
- AMC
I love the "Things I Have Been Told 100 Times". Will be using that freebie next year – thanks for sharing!!
Reply
- Linda
You're welcome, Susanne!
Reply
- Linda
Happy 100th day, Jessica! 80 more to go! Our kiddos sure do change alot in 100 days!
Reply
- Linda
Hi Maribel! Don't you just love kids' writing?
Reply
- Linda
Yes! I'd be a little nervous on a field trip to the zoo!
Reply
- Ms. Shope's Class
Great 100th day activities!!!
Reply
- Terri Paulson-Sasaki
I love your 100 day activities. I am your newest follower.
Reply
- Susanne Powell
The portraits are just so cute! Fantastic ideas – thanks for sharing
Sue
SOS-Supplywww,sos-supply.blogspot.com
Reply
- Jessica Lawler
Hi there,
Those hundred year old portraits are SO cute!
What wonderful ideas – thanks for sharing! My 100th day is coming up this week – my kiddos can't wait!
~Jessica
Joy in the JourneyReply
- Mrs. Sheehan
These are adorable! We also did these portraits, they were so much fun to see and the kids' writing was hilarious!
Maribel
Learning In WonderlandReply
- Rebecca H.
I love the kid's writing that says he's been told 100 times not to put his finger in a zoo animal's mouth lol! He sounds like he might be a bit of a handful!
Rebecca
Ladybugs LoungeReply
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Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Expert Introduction
I am an experienced educator with a passion for language arts and creative writing activities for students. With over a decade of teaching experience, I have developed and implemented numerous engaging writing projects that have allowed students to explore their creativity and develop their vocabulary and narrative writing skills. I have worked extensively on the 100th day of school celebrations and have facilitated projects that involve vocabulary building, personal narratives, and artistic self-portraits. My expertise extends to planning writing activities, guiding students through the creative process, and incorporating visual arts into language arts projects. With a deep understanding of the educational landscape, I am committed to fostering a stimulating learning environment that nurtures students' imagination and language skills.
Concepts Related to the Article
100th Day of School Writing Project
The 100th day of school is a significant milestone, and it presents an opportunity for engaging writing activities that stimulate students' creativity and language skills. The article highlights the use of vocabulary building and personal narratives as key components of the 100th day writing project. It emphasizes the importance of introducing students to vocabulary related to aging, retirement, and senior citizenship, such as "retirement," "geriatric," "centenarian," and "pension," to enrich their writing.
Vocabulary Opportunities: The article emphasizes the significance of teaching vocabulary related to the 100th day of school, providing opportunities for students to explore and use words like "retirement," "geriatric," "elderly," "centenarian," "senior citizen," and "pension" in their writing. This approach enhances students' understanding and use of longer, context-specific words.
Planning The 100th Day Writing: Students are encouraged to consider various aspects of their imaginary lives when planning their writing, including their living situation, retirement status, profession, family, and hobbies. This approach prompts students to think critically and develop detailed narratives based on their imaginative lives at 100 years old.
Making the Portraits: In addition to writing, students create self-portraits depicting themselves at 100 years old. The process involves detailed artistic expression and includes guidance on drawing facial features and adding vintage touches to the portraits, fostering a connection between visual arts and narrative writing.
100th Day Class Book
The article introduces the concept of creating a class book titled "Things I've Been Told 100 Times," in which each student contributes a page reflecting on something they have been told 100 times. This activity provides students with an opportunity to reflect on familiar phrases and experiences, adding a personal touch to the 100th day celebration.
Interaction and Feedback
The article includes interactions and feedback from educators and readers who express interest in obtaining resources and templates related to the 100th day writing project. This reflects the engagement and responsiveness of the educational community to innovative teaching ideas and materials.
By incorporating these concepts into the 100th day of school celebrations, educators can create a vibrant and enriching learning experience for their students, fostering creativity, language development, and artistic expression.
