January classroom fun is coming! Yes… it’s on the way! I know.. I know… TEACHERS ARE ON BREAK!! But seriously… breaks are more relaxing when you know your month is FULL already with plans! Enjoy and plan some January classroom fun virtually or in person!
Take a virtual field trip to New York City!
We aren’t getting to go too many places these days! Why not spend your first day back with students doing something we never get to do? Enjoy the Ball Drop in New York City and have a classroom countdown to start the new year at school! This trip isn’t just a New Year’s celebration… it’s a complete city tour! Using Google Slides, you will follow the stops on the map through the city and end up in Times Square!
A few more ideas to add to your day:
Science: Discover the process that caused the Statue of Liberty to “green”.
Technology: So much to explore in The Big Apple! My favorite place to for some really cool technology is…. BROADWAY!! Take a look at the technology that has been used to bring to life shows like FROZEN which is totally the perfect addition to some January classroom fun!
Engineering: Only one thing to do here! Because you are visiting the Brooklyn Bridge….Discover how engineers create suspension bridges and try your hand at building bridges! My favorite supplies for easy bridge building: popsicle sticks, masking tape, string, and straws. If you are teaching remotely, create an easy and cheap supply bag over the break! Notify parents for the pick up or deliver yourself! Every school has different supply chains for students! Idea: If you have an older child at home like me….make her make your bags!
Art: One of the stops on the tour is the Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art! Do some recreations of favorite pieces!
Math: Can you figure out how many miles your trip is taking you around New York City? How tall is the Statue of Liberty? How long is the Brooklyn Bridge? Numbers are everywhere… especially in a city like New York!
Virtual Classroom Fun in Alaska
What’s next for January classroom fun? Let’s go to Wild Alaska! In this virtual experience, you will want to really look ahead and plan out what you are doing when. It is FULL of so much fun! Discover the career of being a field scientist, and why they spend a lot of time in Alaska. Learn all about the Iditarod race and get ready because students are going to be down to keeping up with the racers when it takes place this year! Finally, watch the mesmerizing Aurora Borealis and find out what makes this event happen! January classroom fun just got FREEEEEEZING cold in Alaska!
Introduce See, Think, Wonder
To accompany your Alaska field trip, introduce See, Think, Wonder if you haven’t already used this strategy in the classroom. I love adding this to January classroom fun simply by theming all of my images to go with January! This strategy will help your students become better questioners! In the STEM/STEAM world… you need that! Grab the complete January See, Think, Wonder here. Below you will find a blank template that can be used anytime of the year and one of my January templates. Make them work for you! Need to know more about See, Think, Wonder? Read the complete blog post here.
FREE See, Think, Wonder Template
Reggio Inspired Tinker Boxes
I will admit.. I am new to this approach, but I am so in love with it! Read more about the idea here. The concept here is to allow students to explore and tinker while documenting their explorations. It is used mainly with younger students, however, in the public school world… many of our older students haven’t been learning through play.
I like to incorporate this idea with them, as well. One way that I have used this in my STEAM world is to allow students to explore a themed box and create found object art. I give them a large sheet of white paper with the boarder like a frame on it, and then allow them to create art with the objects. At the same time, they are exploring materials, a concept, and documenting. I am still learning on this idea, but I love incorporating into my January classroom fun with a Frozen themed box!
Final Stop for January Classroom Fun: Remembering Martin
Let me tell you…. Creating this virtual field trip really moved and inspired me to do a better job of teaching my students about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his accomplishments. While students really enjoy a virtual field trip added to their January classroom fun, this one is meant to make an impact, and it will! Learning more about the Children’s March is so inspiring. Our students and children really have a HUGE and POWERFUL voice when they begin to use it. We stop and take notice of what children do. Don’t miss this trip for sure! Grab it here!
Because the MLK Memorial is so prominent during this trip, I want students to create their own memorials to Martin Luther King, Jr. after the trip. We will use the complete Engineering Design Process! Whew… that’s a wrap! January classroom fun is done! Enjoy!
Get the full January Bundle of Field Trips.
Don’t forget to grab my FREE STEM/STEAM guide if you haven’t already!!
