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65+ Real-World Project-Based Learning Ideas for All Ages and Interests

Find and implement solutions to real-world problems.

Collage of project based learning ideas, including a school garden and volunteering with seniors

Project-based learning is a hot topic in many schools these days, as educators work to make learning more meaningful for students. As students conduct hands-on projects addressing real-world issues, they dig deeper and make personal connections to the knowledge and skills they’re gaining. But not just any project fits into this concept. Learn more about strong project-based learning ideas, and find examples for any age or passion.

What is project-based learning?

Project-based learning (PBL) uses real-world projects and student-directed activities to build knowledge and skills. Kids choose a real-world topic that’s meaningful to them (some people call these “passion projects”), so they’re engaged in the process from the beginning. These projects are long-term, taking weeks, months, or even a full semester or school year. Students may complete them independently or working in small groups. Learn much more about project-based learning here.

What makes a good PBL project?

Chart showing the difference between traditional projects and project based learning

In many ways, PBL is more like the work adults do in their daily jobs, especially because student efforts have potential real-world effects. A strong PBL project:

  • Addresses a real-world issue or problem
  • Requires sustained and independent inquiry, in and out of the classroom
  • Allows students voice and choice throughout the project
  • Combines elements of many disciplines
  • Includes collaboration with public partners, such as universities, community organizations, or businesses
  • Produces a public product that is seen by those outside the school community
  • Covers a complete process, including activities like research, design, production, marketing or public awareness, and enlisting supporters or investors

Outdoor Project-Based Learning Ideas

Children holding produce standing in a garden they've grown themselves

  • Create a new local park, or improve an existing one by adding new features or providing needed maintenance.
  • Plant a community garden to provide food for a soup kitchen, food pantry, or other organization.
  • Design and create a butterfly, pollinator, or other wildlife garden to support the local ecosystem.
  • Build a new walking or biking trail that’s safe for people of all ages to use.
  • Devise and implement a way to reduce litter in your community.
  • Set up and manage a school or community compost pile, and distribute the resulting soil to those who need it most.
  • Find and help the public use a new way to grow food that requires less soil, water, or fertilizers, which are in short supply in some parts of the world.
  • Design, build, and install a completely unique piece of playground equipment that serves a specific purpose or need.

School Community Project-Based Learning Ideas

Students and adults reading student-produced newspaper (Project Based Learning Ideas)

  • Start a comprehensive recycling program at school, or substantially improve participation in an existing one.
  • Add collaborative artwork like murals or other displays to school hallways, bathrooms, or grounds.
  • Determine a location or program at your school that needs improvement, then make a plan, raise the funds, and implement your ideas.
  • Come up with ways to celebrate your school’s diversity and improve relationships between all students.
  • Start and run a school store , including inventory, financial plans, and marketing.
  • Write a school handbook for new students, with tips and tricks for helping them feel at home.
  • Figure out how to offer healthier, better-tasting meals and snacks in the school cafeteria.
  • Implement a mentoring program for older students to help younger students, with planned activities and appropriate training for older students.
  • Design and propose a new style of grading system that ensures equity.
  • Find ways to improve the indoor recess experience at your school.
  • Set up and run a new school newspaper, magazine, podcast, video channel, etc.

Greater Community Project-Based Learning Ideas

Children and senior citizens working on an art project together

  • Coordinate a community art project in a central location to celebrate local culture or artists.
  • Set up a program for schoolkids to socialize with senior citizens in nursing homes, hospitals, or retirement communities.
  • Create a program to offer free translation services for ESL families in the community.
  • Help a local animal shelter improve its facilities, or find new ways to match homeless pets with their forever families.
  • Build and maintain Little Free Libraries around your community, especially in underserved areas.
  • Help local businesses become more environmentally conscious, increasing sustainability and decreasing waste.
  • Create and lead a walking tour of your community, highlighting its culture, history, landmarks, and more.
  • Find a way to record and celebrate local voices in your community’s history.
  • Come up with ideas for welcoming immigrants and other newcomers to your community.
  • Set up a series of events that will encourage the community to mix and experience each others’ foods, cultures, and more.
  • Create and implement a new program to inspire a love of books and reading in preschool students.
  • Set up and help run a new charitable organization your community needs.

Social Issues Project-Based Learning Ideas

Poster with question: "How can we as students create a space where people feel like they belong and are safe in order to impact students at Asbury?"

  • Start an awareness campaign on a topic that’s important to you, like anti-bullying, healthy living, protecting the environment, civil rights, equality and equity, etc.
  • Come up with and implement ways to increase voter turnout in your community, especially among younger voters.
  • Write, record, and share with a wider audience your own TED Talk–style video on an issue that hasn’t been covered yet or on which you have a unique perspective.
  • Devise and implement ways for unheard voices to be amplified in your school or community.
  • Write and publicly perform a play that highlights a social issue that’s important to you.
  • Look for areas in your community that present challenges to those with disabilities, and help to improve them to overcome those challenges.
  • Research, write, and publicly present and defend a position paper on an issue that’s important to your community.
  • Choose a real court case, then research the law and work with legal experts to prepare and present your own case as you would in a courtroom.
  • Write, edit, seek, and incorporate real-world feedback, and publish or publicly present your own book, poem, or song on an issue that’s important to you.
  • Start a program to teach a specific group (e.g., preschoolers, senior citizens, business owners) to care for and protect the environment.
  • Plan and hold a fundraiser to support an issue you care about.
  • Choose a law you feel is unjust, and write, research, and publicly present and defend a position paper about your desired change.

STEM Project-Based Learning Ideas

Two students holding a large model rocket built as part of project based learning

  • Create an app that meets a specific purpose for a specific audience.
  • Invent something new that the world needs, and then fund, create, and sell your product in the community.
  • Design a game to help students learn important STEM concepts.
  • Find a simple way to improve an existing product, especially if it cuts costs or improves environmental sustainability.
  • Explore ways to reduce the amount of waste we produce, especially plastic and other landfill-bound items.
  • Write a book or graphic novel that’s entertaining but also teaches kids about science or math.
  • Devise new ways to provide clean drinking water to communities where water is scarce.
  • Build an effective solar oven people can use to cook during extended power outages, or in areas where electricity isn’t available.
  • Work with a university or STEM organization to gather, analyze, and present real-world scientific data.
  • Design a building to fit a specific purpose or need, including researching the requirements and zoning laws, accurately drafting a plan, determining the costs, and presenting the plan to the proposed client.
  • Create an interactive hands-on exhibit to teach people about STEM concepts.
  • Determine a type of website you believe is missing, then research, build, and publish the site you envision.

Creative Arts Project-Based Learning Ideas

Student and parent standing by artwork at an art show

  • Organize an art show for the community, seeking out those who ordinarily might not have a chance to display their work.
  • Create and teach an art class in your area of expertise to children, the elderly, or another segment of the population.
  • Design a mural for an area in your community that needs beautification, and seek funding or other assistance from community members to install it.
  • Write a play about a topic that’s meaningful to you or your community. Work with the community to stage a performance for all to attend.
  • Invite local dancers to perform at a school or community Festival of Dance, highlighting a variety of cultures and dance styles.
  • Start a regular writer’s workshop where community writers can come together to share and seek feedback. Invite local authors or publishing experts to speak as guests.
  • Collect stories, poems, and essays from local authors, and put them together into a book. Sell the book to raise money for a cause that’s important to local writers.
  • Gather singers or instrumentalists from your community into a choir or band. Put on a concert to raise money for a special cause, or take your choir on tour to local retirement homes, hospitals, etc.
  • Write a song about a person or cause that’s important to you. Produce and record the song, then find a way to share it with others.
  • Make a short film about a local hero, community event, or local place. Invite others to do the same, and organize a local film festival.

What are some your favorite project-based learning ideas? Come share your thoughts in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook !

Plus, meaningful service learning projects for kids and teens ..

These project-based learning ideas are real-world applicable and student-directed, requiring outside collaboration and public results.

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22 Crafts for Elementary School Kids

school projects for elementary students

igor kisselev / Getty Images

These crafts are perfect to make with your elementary schooler. All of these tutorials are easy, educational, and ideal for little hands. Anytime you need an activity , from rainy days to weekends, these crafts are the best for the job.

Easy Pirate Cork Boats

Red Ted Art

These adorable pirate cork boats are made with old wine corks and will float. It's a super fun craft to make with your little sailors and they are a perfect bath time toy.

Easy Pirate Cork Boats from Red Ted Art

Easy Fake Snow

nadyadelrosaphotography / Instagram

Maybe it’s a warm winter or your kids just want a little holiday spirit in July, but this fake snow is a creative workaround for the weather and it's super easy to make. More fun than playdough or clay, you’ll amaze your little ones with this one.

Easy Fake Snow from The Spruce

DIY 3-D Glasses

Got a movie night coming up? DIY 3-D glasses will be a total hit to make with your kids. Print and cut them out and then use red and blue markers on plastic bags to make the colored lenses. You can customize them as you wish.

DIY 3D Glasses from The Spruce

Woven Rainbow Fish

Crafty Morning

For fans of the rainbow fish books, this is a sweet and unique craft. Paper weaving looks complicated but is super easy—and your kids will love picking out their favorite colors for their fish.

Woven Rainbow Fish from Crafty Morning

Painting Fireworks Activity

Learning 4 Kids

Fireworks aren’t just for the Fourth of July. Bring some spark into your day all year round with this super creative firework painting craft-tivity that involves paints, with no risks of fire or burns.

Painting Fireworks Activity from Learning 4 Kids

Recycled Juice Carton Birdhouse

Design Dazzle

Give a warm welcome to the birds in your neighborhood by making and setting out these adorable recycled juice carton birdhouses. Have some fun with the design and fill it with scraps of fabric and cotton for the birds to make a nest.

Recycled Juice Carton Birdhouse from Design Dazzle

Craft Stick Airplane

Making Life Blissful

Kids will love this take on a model airplane from Making Life Blissful. This is a craft you can make over and over again, and it's super easy with great results.

Craft Stick Airplane from Making Life Blissful

Fish-In-a-Bag Slime

My Frugal Adventures

Take your slime game to the next level with this fish-in-a-bag slime craft. Find some dollar store fish toys, or get creative with other sea life.

Fish-in-a-Bag Slime from My Frugal Adventures

Paper Lanterns

nadydelarosaphotography / Instagram

The youngest children might need help with this one, but with a bit of guidance, any child can create these fun paper lanterns. Hang them for birthday parties or in your child's bedroom.

Paper Lanterns   from​ The Spruce

Caterpillar Pom-Pom Craft

Easy Peasy and Fun

This craft is perfect for spring. Take your kids on a nature walk to look at all the creepy crawlies and then make this craft at home with just some paper, glue, pom-poms, and google eyes.

Caterpillar Pom-Pom Craft from Easy Peasy and Fun

DIY Mini Flower Garden Pots

Any green thumbs in your house? It’s so easy to decorate a little flowerpot with paint, washi tape, or anything else you have around the house. These garden pots are great for planting little flowers or sprouts.

DIY Mini Flower Garden Pots from The Spruce

Toilet Paper Roll Butterfly Craft

Where Imagination Grows

The toilet paper roll butterfly craft is a classic—and for good reason! It’s easy, cute, and timeless.

Toilet Paper Roll Butterfly Craft from The Spruce

Noodle Sunflowers

Noodle crafts are a well-loved genre of crafting, from necklaces to collage cards. These noodle sunflowers are perfect for summer or brightening up your house year-round.

Noodle Sunflowers from Crafty Morning

Yarn Monsters

Blue Bear Wood

What’s better than an adorable, do-it-yourself yarn monster? Make a whole flock of monsters with your little ones.

Yarn Monsters from Blue Bear Wood

DIY Dinosaur Excavation Sensory Craft

Hello Creative Family

This craft will require a little more on your end, but if your kids are dinosaur obsessed, this is the perfect craft for them. They’ll love digging up these fossils.

DIY Dinosaur Excavation Sensory Craft from Hello Creative Family

Itsy Bitsy Spider Hand Puppet

Hands on as We Grow

This is a great learning tool for teaching the “Itsy Bitsy Spider” song. Make this craft with your kids and teach them the song. They can use the puppet to mime “climbing up the water spout.”

Itsy Bitsy Spider Hand Puppet from Hands on as We Grow

DIY Sponge Bombs

A sponge bomb is tons of fun outside in the summer or the bath year-round. Help your kids cut up sponges and let them run wild. Keep towels at the ready.

DIY Sponge Bombs from Pars Caeli

Creative DIY Paintbrushes

Spice up your painting projects with some unique DIY paintbrushes. Make a brush out of anything you can imagine for different and exciting results.

Creative DIY Paintbrushes from The Inspired Home

Egg Carton Flower Craft

Bring some spring into the house with an old egg carton and some paint. No watering required!

Egg Carton Flower Craft from The Spruce

We Built a Zoo! Craft

At Home With Sweet T

This is a super sweet craft for any little animal lover. Make a zoo enclosure out of popsicle sticks and cardboard for animal safekeeping.

We Built a Zoo! Craft from At Home With Sweet T

Pet Rock Tic-Tac-Toe

One Creative Mommy

Customized pet rock tic-tac-toe is a great game. Paint your special boards and pet rocks however you want for hours of fun.

Pet Rock Tic-Tac-Toe from One Creative Mommy

nadydelarosaphotography  / Instagram

Need ideas for your pet rocks? These adorable zoo animals are the perfect way to bring any rock to life.

Pet Rocks from​ The Spruce

More from The Spruce Crafts

  • 15 Arts and Crafts Projects for Kindergartners
  • 25 Recycled Egg Carton Art Projects for Kids
  • 19 Fourth of July Crafts for Kids
  • Easy, 10-Minute Crafts for Kids
  • 15 Very Hungry Caterpillar Crafts for Kids
  • 12 National Grandparents Day Crafts
  • 9 Kids Crafts for Dog Lovers
  • 12 Craft Projects for Boys
  • 10 Yarn Crafts for Kids
  • 24 Pompom Crafts for Kids
  • 18 Easy Thanksgiving Crafts for Preschoolers & Elementary Kids
  • 9 Seashell Crafts for Kids
  • Recycled Toys Your Kids Can Make
  • 15 Simple Butterfly Crafts for Kids
  • 14 Arts and Crafts Projects for Toddlers
  • 21 Paper Bag Crafts You and Your Kids Will Love

NextLesson Blog

Connect learning to the real world, 100+ project-based learning ideas for every age.

This blog series was authored by our own A.J. Juliani, Head of Learning & Growth.

Screen Shot 2020-01-31 at 1.43.46 PM

“Everything begins with an idea.” – Earl Nightingale

When I started on my Project-Based Learning journey, I always wondered what other teachers were already doing with PBL in classrooms around the country and world. I remember joining Ning sites and finding other teachers who were doing PBL, it was like a dream come true to chat and discuss and learn.

With the growth of Twitter, blogging, and conference I was able to meet educators from around the world who have inspired me to go deeper into Project-Based Learning. Their ideas were what got me started documenting projects and step-by-step practices that would enhance any PBL experience.

PBL is growing because it engages and empowers students to learn experientially and share that learning in new and unique ways that go well beyond the classroom. Yet, many teachers are asking: How do we plan and implement PBL? How do we “fit it in” our current curriculum? How do we assess it using our current grading guidelines? How do we manage this type of learning?

These are all real concerns and questions that cannot be dismissed. PBL takes time to plan, implement, manage, and assess. Then it takes time to tweak, improve, and highlight.

If you asked any teacher, administrator, parent, school board member, student, or community member to list their top goals for an academic program, you would see achievement, 21st-century competencies, equity, and motivation all at the top.

Project-based learning is shown to work in all kinds of schools, in all different grade levels, with students of varying backgrounds and abilities.

So, if this is what the research says about PBL, then why do we still have so many schools falling into the test prep trap? Why do some many teachers feel like they cannot make the jump into PBL? Why haven’t we seen a nationwide movement towards PBL as a best and effective practice for all students?

It comes back to HOW to do PBL in the midst of standards and curriculum. I’ve put together a free workshop to show you the 5-step process to do just that.

I’m holding three workshops this week (for K-5, 6-12, and school leaders):

  • For Elementary Teachers (K-5 Workshop)
  • For Middle School and High School Teachers (6-12 Workshop)
  • For School Leaders (Admin and Central Office Workshop)

school projects for elementary students

Ideas to Get You Started

Grades 6-8 ela, grades 6-8 social studies, grades 6-8 science, grades 6-8 math, grades 9-12 ela, grades 9-12 math, grades 9-12 science, grades 9-12 social studies.

It comes back to HOW to do PBL in the midst of standards and curriculum. I’ve put together a free workshop to show you the 5-step process to do just that. You don’t need to start from scratch, instead, you can get a jumpstart on the process.

You can sign-up to be a part of the training right here! If you can’t make the time, please sign-up so you can get the recording.

Are you ready to hit the ground running? Let’s get started!

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  • Advertisements : create an advertising campaign to sell a product.  The product can be real or imaginary.  Try using this to teach persuasion, as an assignment for speech class, or to reinforce skills learned in a consumer class.
  • Album Covers: create artwork for an album.  The album may be connected to a skill (such a multiplication) and should demonstrate or explain how that skill is used.  Or the album cover may be connected to a novel and the art work might present a relevant theme in the story.  Another use would be to have students create natural disaster album covers in a science class where the cover would depict and explain the event.
  • Autobiographies: write the story of your life.  This assignment may help you teach autobiography or reinforce a broad range of  writing skills.
  • Awards: create awards to present to historical figures, scientists, mathematicians, authors, or characters from a novel.
  • Banners: create an informational banner.  Students could create time lines of the American civil war or the Spanish alphabet.
  • Bar Graphs: create illustrated bar graphs.  These may be used to explore data sets, use statistics to support a point, or illustrate a growth or change in a market.
  • Biographies: write the life story of someone else.  It could be a friend, family member, historical figure, or a fictional character.
  • Blogs: create blogs for literary characters or historical figures.  Create an actual blog for free at blogger.com or just have students write and organize articles on white printer paper if the internet is not available.
  • Blueprints: create blueprints or floor plans of a scene described in a novel, an historic setting, or an earthquake proof bridge or structure.
  • Boardgames: create boardgames where students review course concepts.  Game play should be based around answering review questions correctly.
  • Book Clubs: Students read either novels or selections from the text book and discuss the readings in small groups.  Students might be required to take notes about the discussion or provide an audio recording of the discussion as the artifact to be evaluated.  Students might also create discussion questions beforehand and have these approved by the instructor.  This activity may be applied to reading selections in any subject.
  • Booklets: create an informational booklet.  In the past I’ve had students create booklets showing comma rules, narrator’s perspective, genre, figurative language, and more.  Booklets can be applied to almost any unit of study and all they require to make are some blank white printer paper folded in half, one of my favorites.
  • Bookmarks: create illustrated bookmarks with relevant information.  A bookmark might summarize previous chapters or contain the definitions of challenging vocabulary words.
  • Brochures: brochures can be made as either tri-fold or bi-folds. Students can create informational brochure’s about geographic locations, a story’s setting, or a natural event such as how a tidal wave is formed or how the food chain works.
  • Calendars: create a calendar charting the dates of key events.  This can be applied to an historical event (like a famous battle), a scientific event (such a the path of Hurricane Katrina), or the sequence of events in story.
  • Casting Calls: select people (fictional, famous, or otherwise) to play the role in a movie version of story or historic event.  Explain which character traits were considered in each selection.
  • Cheers: create a cheer explaining a scientific or mathematical process.  Alternately, a cheer could summarize the events of a novel or an historic episode.
  • Classified Ads: create classified type ads as seen in newspapers.  It could be a wanted ad or a M4F type ad depending on the age of your students.  Update the concept and have students create Craigslist ads or Ebay listings.  Example applications include covering vocabulary words, introducing multiple characters in a drama, examining figures in an historical event, or studying endangered and extinct plants and animals.
  • Coat of Arms: create a family coat of arms for a character from a novel or a person from history.  A good activity for teaching symbolism.
  • Collages: create a collage or collection of images related to a topic.  Images can be hand drawn, printed, or clipped from a magazine or newspaper.  These work best with large thematic ideas that give students the ability to maneuver, like a collage representing slavery, the 1920s,  or an entire story.
  • Comic Strips or Books: create an illustrated comic strip or book representing events from history or a work of fiction.
  • Crossword Puzzles: create a crossword puzzle to review definitions of challenging vocabulary words.  Great for science, social studies, reading, and even math terms.
  • Diary Entries: create a diary entries for a person from history or a fictional character who experienced an historic event.  Can also be applied to characters in a story or survivors of a disaster.
  • Dramas: create a play.  Students might adapt an existing story or create original works and plays can be centered around any event in history.
  • Editorials: provide an opinion about a hot topic in history or science.  Should the space program be reduced?  Is US military intervention in current conflicts appropriate?  Is global warming a concern?
  • Fables: create fables that teach a lesson.  Students may create illustrated story boards of their original fables or even dramatic adaptations which they then perform.  A good character building activity.
  • Flags: create a flag representing either an actual county (like Libya)  or fictitious place (like Narnia).  This project should be accompanied by a brief report explaining what ideas the colors and images on the flags represent.
  • Flash Cards: create cards helpful for study and review.  Flash cards can be created for any subject and topic.
  • Flowcharts: students create flowcharts analyzing and representing a mathematical process, a natural event, or an event in history or literature.
  • Glossaries: If students need to understand a large array of vocabulary words, consider having them construct glossaries to help them study and review.
  • Hieroglyphics: create pictures that represent vocabulary words.  Alternately, students could retell the events of a story or historical episode in simple pictures.
  • ID Badges: create identification cards for characters from a work of literature or for people involved in an historical event.  Include relevant details on the badges.
  • Illustrated Quotes: Have students choose a meaningful quote from a text that they are reading.  They should explain why the quote interests them and then write the quote on a blank sheet of paper and draw related images.
  • Instructions: write instructions on how to perform an operation or experiment, diagram a sentence, or start a World War.
  • Inventions: create and illustrate your new invention that address a problem in nature or society.  Address environmental or sociological issues.
  • Limericks: write limericks about events from history or scientific discoveries such as, “There once was a man named Sir Newton…”
  • Magazines: create magazines covering large units of study such as the Industrial Revolution or Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, that way many articles can be written.  Images may also be drawn or printed and added to the publication.
  • Maps: create maps based on actual geographic or national boundaries and landmarks or maps illustrating the setting of a story and the journey of a character.
  • Merit Badges: create vocabulary merit badges where the term is defined in three or fewer words and a small image is drawn to represent the definition.
  • Movie Adaptations: plan a movie version of a novel, scientific discovery, or historical event.  Pick who will play what role, plan scenes, write dialog, even create a soundtrack.
  • Murals: create a mural or a large drawing of many images related to a larger idea.  A mural about the Harlem Renaissance might contain images of Langston Hughes,  Countee Cullen, and W.E.B. DuBois.
  • Myths: write creation myths to account for scientific or historic events or for a creative writing assignment.
  • Newscasts: deliver important information from literature, history, science, or math in the form of a newscast.  Newscast can be prerecorded or presented live.
  • Pen-pals: write letters to and from important people from history or the characters in a story.
  • Poems and Raps: write a poem or rap reviewing any topic.
  • Postcards: similar to the pen-pals assignment above, but postcards have illustrations representing thematic concepts.
  • Posters: create posters to review skills.  As a bonus, many of these posters can often be displayed during state tests, so if your students create high quality posters, the posters may be a useful resource during the test.
  • Questionnaires: create a questionnaire and survey students to gather an understanding about thematic issues from a text or social problems for a speech or presentation.
  • Radio Broadcasts: create a script for a radio program covering any appropriate field of study.
  • Reader’s Theater: silently act out the events of a story or text alone or with a group of people while someone reads the text aloud.  Students should be given time to prepare their acting.
  • Recipes: students can create recipes about how atoms combine to form molecules (H2O), or how to create events like the French Revolution or World War I (add one Arch Duke).
  • Scrapbooks: create a scrapbook of your favorite poems or important events from a decade.
  • Skits: create a short skit to bring an historical event to life.
  • Slide Shows: if you have access to enough computers and a projector, I suggest having students create PowerPoint presentations.  With just a little instruction, students should be able to create pretty flashy presentations, and you can combine this project with a research paper as a culminating activity.
  • Soundtracks: create a soundtrack for a movie version of a novel or historical or natural event.  Use actual songs or just describe the mood of each song if you do not know song titles.  Explain why you feel that each song matches the event.  A good activity to review mood.
  • Stamps: students create commemorative stamps honoring people, depicting elements from the periodic table, or challenging vocabulary terms.
  • Storyboards: create story boards summarize a short story or to plan a narrative, movie, or presentation.
  • Tests: write a test to help you review unit goals and objectives.  Questions can be multiple choice, matching, and true or false.  Answer keys should be provided.
  • Vocabulary Quilts: create quilts with badges representing the meanings of vocabulary terms.  Badges should have an image and a few words.
  • Websites: design websites that historical figures, scientists, mathematicians, authors, or characters from novels would have had.  Also, student can create websites for historical movements, scientific theories, or literary concepts.
  • Worksheets: create review worksheets.  Worksheets can be applied to any subject and topic of study.
  • Yearbooks: create yearbooks reviewing the characters and events from several stories that the class read or containing information about many important figures from history.

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Tideas are very great for students. I want to apply all of this ideas.

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50 Back to School Activities for Elementary Students

  • August 22, 2023

When putting together lesson plans for the upcoming school year, it can be tempting to dive into reading and math curriculum from day one. There’s always so much to get through, and time seems in short supply.

However, it’s worth making time for fun student back-to-school activities in your elementary classroom. If students can connect with their peers early in the school year, those positive relationships can make a world of difference throughout the year.

As an educator, you can use these 50 first day of school games, activities, and printables for elementary students to help your class get to know each other and find things they have in common.

50 First Day of School Activities for Elementary Students

Getting to know you back-to-school activities.

1. “Dicebreakers”: All you need to play this first day of school icebreaker is a few sets of dice and plenty of willing students! Students roll the dice to answer a variety of getting to know you questions.

stock photo of students in a classroom

2. Autograph Scavenger Hunt : This activity encourages students to connect with as many peers as possible on the first day. Tell students to locate a different person for each box, if possible.

3. Beach Ball Game : If you’re looking for a getting to know you activity on the first day of school that gets students moving, try this one! Write a question on each side of the beach ball in permanent marker and have fun tossing it around while learning all about your students.

4. Get-to-Know-You Jenga : Even board games can be icebreakers if you make a few tweaks. As students build the Jenga tower, they’ll ask and answer fun questions that are all about them.

5. Inside-Outside Game : This game (number five on the linked list) encourages students to share what makes them unique as well as what qualities or experiences they have in common.

6. Classroom Scavenger Hunt : Familiarize students with their new classroom with this fun scavenger hunt activity.

7. Get to Know the Teacher : Introduce yourself to your students and share a fun fact to help them feel comfortable in your classroom with this activity (#4 on this list).

8. Me Commercial : Need an “all about me” activity for older elementary students? The 10th activity on this list has you pair your students to create commercial-type skits so they can all get to know each other.

9. This or That? : If you need a simple icebreaker activity, try playing “This or That?” with your class. Students get to weigh in on questions like “Batman or Spider-Man?” and “Cats or dogs?”

10. Back-to-School Bingo : For a first day of school activity that gets students moving, try this getting to know you twist on bingo!

11. Meet Your Match Game : In this classroom team building activity, you’ll hand each child a puzzle piece and help them find the classmate with a match–showing them how they are more alike than they might think.

12. “I Like It” Tag : Turn this classic P.E. game into a get to know you activity by using it to unite students with similar likes.

13. Find Someone Who… : In this get to know you game, students learn fun facts about their new classmates and find things they have in common.

14. Get-to-Know-You Snowball Fight : You don’t have to wait until winter to have a snowball fight! Have fun making paper snowballs with your class, then use them for a unique icebreaker (pun intended!) game.

15. Chit Chat Cards : It can be tough for new elementary students to think up conversation starters. Help your new students connect faster by putting together some “chit chat cards.” (See number three on this list.)

Back-to-School Activities for Teaching Mindset, Team-Building and Social Skills

stock photo of teacher and student in a classroom

16. Student Pairs: What’s Your Name? : This activity (#1 on this list) can help students say “Hello” and learn each other’s names.

17. Class Helpers : Act out or read aloud this script with your new students to teach them about sharing and being nice to others in class.

18. What Makes a Good Friend? : Use these pictures as a back-to-school activity about the attributes of a good friend and how students can make new friends this school year.

19. Color My Feelings Art : This art project is a great social-emotional learning activity to do during the first few days of school.

20. A Fan of Validation : Everybody likes to know that they are wanted and belong in class. Use this activity to show students how compliments can lift a person up.

21. Think–Pair–Share : Even early elementary students can learn how to use critical thinking skills with this class discussion activity. Scroll down a bit at the link to see more about this activity.

22. Emotion Cards : Share these emotion cards during the first days of school to help your new students recognize and share their feelings with you and their classmates.

23. Stringing Conversations Together Game : Activities that teach social skills can be especially helpful for early elementary students. This game encourages students to practice making conversation with new people.

24. Paper Chain Challenge : This fun team-building activity requires your students to work together in teams to build the longest paper chain.

25. Social Skills Read Alouds : If you want to teach social skills the first day of school onward, try reading one of these books as a class.

26. Random Acts of Kindness Ideas : This craft encourages students to treat their new classmates with kindness and give them suggestions on where to start.

27. What Does a Good Friend Do? : What does it mean to be a true friend? Brainstorm qualities of a good friend with your students, then create a poster together to hang up on the wall as a daily reminder.

28. Helpful Words : Teach students how to have a growth mindset as they encounter new challenges during the school year with this worksheet.

29. Birthday Line Up : In this elementary team building activity (#13 on this list), students can practice communicating with each other to complete a task.

30. Wrinkled Heart Empathy Craft : Empathy is an important skill to teach your students for building a caring classroom environment. Use this back-to-school activity to explain the importance of compassion to your students and help prevent bullying.

31. I Wish My Teacher Knew : Students can share things about themselves that they want you to know at the beginning of the school year with this activity.

Back-to-School Reading and Math Activities

32. Back-to-School Picture Books : Get students excited about a new year and help them feel less nervous by reading aloud one of these back-to-school-themed books.

33. Math About Me : Finding engaging ways to teach students math can make a big difference during the first days of school. Use this activity to let students introduce themselves while learning about numbers.

students and teacher reading a book

34. “I Am” Poems : Your students could be poets and not even know it! Make these visual poems together, then hang them up in your classroom.

35. Goal Setting : With this first day of school worksheet as their guide, students can set new goals for the upcoming year while practicing writing skills.

36. Back-to-School Resolutions : Have your elementary students write down a few resolutions for the school year, then take turns sharing them with the class.

37. Alphabet Relay Race : Teach new skills while having fun! In this game, students work in teams to put together the alphabet.

38. Can You Guess? A Story in Two Voices : Pair your students into groups of two and have them read aloud this guessing game picture book as a fun back-to-school reading activity.

39. STEM Marshmallow Challenge : For a back-to-school game that also teaches math and science skills, try this group challenge in which students build different shapes from toothpicks and marshmallows.

40. Early Chapter Book: A Place for Shad : For a classroom read-aloud during the first week of school, share this story about a boy named Shad who makes friends after moving to a new neighborhood.

41. Beginning of Year Activity : Students can practice their writing skills while sharing what they are excited, nervous, and wondering about in the upcoming year with this worksheet.

Back-to-School Arts, Crafts, and Brain Breaks

student doing arts and crafts in class

43. All About Me Selfies : Drawing self-portraits can help your students express themselves in class. Your students can take (or rather, make) their own selfies to show off their unique personalities.

44. Four Corners with a Twist : This fun back to school game gets students moving all over the classroom!

45. Time Capsule : A time capsule can be a fun way to measure your students’ progress over the year. Plus, your students can get to know each other by seeing what they put in the time capsule.

46. Charades Relay Race : This twist on a classic game of charades is a high energy way to help students practice working in groups while also getting their wiggles out.

47. Group Project Coloring Sheet : Share out this coloring page when your students need some quiet time to encourage an atmosphere of working together in class.

48. First Day Jitters Activity : It’s normal to be nervous on the first day of school! This activity will remind students that they’re not alone and that this school year will be one to remember.

49. Friendship Tree : Print out this mini poster and have every student stamp their thumbprint on the tree branches for a fun back-to-school art activity that makes everyone feel welcome.

50. Paper Plate Apple Bags : Students can put together these cute paper plate apple bags as a fun craft that also gives them a tote to carry around their school supplies.

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Project Based Learning Activities for Elementary Students

Have you implemented a long term project in your classroom? Students benefit tremendously from these experiences. My favorite type of long term project to use in my classroom is a project based learning (PBL) task. This post features one of my favorite project based learning activities for elementary students that is perfect for Valentine’s Day and the days leading up to it. It’s a great way to celebrate the holiday, while continuing to work on grade level standards. Learn more about PBL and these project based learning activities for elementary students below!

What is Project-Based Learning?

Project-based learning is a great way to implement real world learning in your classroom. It is a teaching method where a teacher poses a real world problem and complex question to students. It is imperative that the problem and question is authentic and engaging.

In addition to this project equipping students with a deep understanding of the content, it also gives them opportunities to strengthen their problem solving, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills. These skills are essential for students to develop and refine for their future.

Students work on the project over an extended period of time (week, month, or semester). Some important components of the process are student choice, inquiry, innovation, and meaningful feedback. When students come to the conclusion of their project, they present it to a real audience (peers, teachers, administrators, parents, and the local community).

Project based learning worksheets and baking supplies for elementary students

Long Term Project Definition

A long term project is a project that takes one week or longer for students to complete. Students work on it in class, at home, or a combination of the two. You can decide what works best for you and your students.

Long Term Project Ideas and Examples

Try a research project in your elementary classroom! Check out these project based learning activities for elementary students: The Valentine Cookies PBL shown throughout this post .

PBL worksheet, pink colored pencil and red marker for elementary students

10 Benefits of Long Term Projects

Below are the benefits of using long term projects like the project based learning activities for elementary students featured in this post.

  • Increases content knowledge and skills.
  • Deepens understanding of content.
  • Develops time management skills.
  • Provides the time students need to make connections.
  • Fine tunes problem solving skills.
  • Strengthens critical thinking skills.
  • Fortifies collaboration skills.
  • Enhances communication skills.
  • Creates an environment to apply skills to a real world situation.
  • Builds stamina.

Baking-themed project based learning activities for elementary students

Long-Term Project Management Strategies

Here are some long-term project management strategies that are helpful for when you implement project based learning activities with your elementary students. If you are interested, check out these other classroom management strategies too!

  • Give clear and concise directions and expectations orally and in writing and pictures.
  • Show a sample final product.
  • Provide copies of a project calendar to students or post a large copy in the classroom.
  • Schedule progress checks with students to monitor how they are doing and what they need additional scaffolding and support for.
  • Utilize a visual timer during work time.
  • Play soft classical music during work time.
  • Offer developmentally-appropriate amounts of time for students to work.

design your bakery project based learning activity for elementary students

Long-Term Project Planning

Utilize the principles of Understanding by Design. 1) Look at the standards you want students to master by the end of the project. 2) Design the finished product or project using these standards. 3) Think about what students need to know in order to reach the final project. Turn these concepts and skills into mini lessons. Determine the order of the lessons that make sense. After completing this process, put these lessons into a pacing guide. Make or use a calendar to map out deadlines or benchmarks of when certain steps should be completed by.

Project based learning worksheet with baking supplies for elementary students

In closing, we hope you found this post about project based learning activities helpful! If you did, then you may also be interested in these other posts:

  • Project Based Learning Ideas for Elementary Teachers
  • Valentine’s Day Picture Books that Make Great Read Alouds
  • February Activities for Elementary Teachers
  • Read more about: ELEMENTARY TEACHING , INTEGRATED CURRICULUM ACTIVITIES

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Black History Month Activities for Kids and Elementary Students

By Med Kharbach, PhD | Last Update: February 12, 2024

Black History Month Activities for Kids

As February rolls around, it’s a fantastic time to immerse ourselves and our young learners in the rich mosaic of African American history and culture. Black History Month is not just a period to reflect on the past but also an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Black Americans throughout history.

Engaging kids in Black History Month activities allows us to open their minds to the stories, struggles, and successes of African Americans, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of diversity and resilience.

Whether you’re a teacher looking for classroom ideas or a parent seeking meaningful ways to engage your child at home, this guide is packed with unique and educational activities designed to make learning about Black history engaging, informative, and fun for kids and elementary students.

Black History Month Activities for Kids

Here are some practical ideas to make Black History Month both educational and memorable for kids and elementary students.

1. Introduce Kids to the Inventor of the Traffic Light

Black History Month Activities for Kids

Start by telling the story of Garrett Morgan , an African American inventor who created the three-position traffic signal. Use a specifically designed activity pack that includes coloring pages of his invention, reading comprehension worksheets detailing his life and work, and perhaps a fun experiment simulating his invention using simple materials like colored paper and flashlights. This hands-on approach helps kids understand the importance of his invention in everyday life.

2. Create Educational Visuals Celebrating Black History Month

Black History Month Activities for Kids

Encourage students to create their own posters or digital presentations celebrating significant Black figures in history using graphic design tools like Canva or Adobe Spark. They could focus on a variety of areas such as science, art, literature, or social justice. This activity allows children to express their creativity while learning about the contributions of Black individuals throughout history.

3. Play Black History Month Trivia

Black History Month Activities for Kids

Organize a trivia game with questions about famous Black inventors, scientists, artists, and leaders. This can be a fun way for kids to learn about historical figures and facts that they might not be familiar with. Consider using a digital quiz tool like Kahoot! to make it interactive and competitive, encouraging children to learn more in preparation for the game.

4. Read Black History Month Stories

Black History Month Activities for Kids

Select a range of stories and books that celebrate Black history and culture. After reading, engage the kids in discussions about the themes, characters, and historical contexts of the stories. This can help develop their empathy and understanding of different perspectives and experiences.

5. Discuss Black History Figures

Black History Month Activities for Kids

Dedicate time each day or week to learn about a different Black explorer, scientist, leader, or changemaker. Use a variety of resources like videos, biographies, and interactive websites to bring these figures to life. Discuss their achievements, the obstacles they faced, and how they have influenced the world. Highlighting their contributions on a global scale can provide a broader perspective on their impact.

6. Decorate Class

Black History Month Activities for Kids

Involve students in decorating the classroom with printables, posters, and their own artwork inspired by Black History Month. This can include portraits of notable figures, quotes, and significant symbols. Hands-on activities like crafting decorations or creating a bulletin board display can make the learning environment more inclusive and inspiring.

7. Read Picture Books

Black History Month Activities for Kids

A popular picture book to use with kids is Freedom in Congo Square by Carole Boston Weatherford. Use this picture book as a starting point to explore the history of slavery and the resilience of enslaved Africans in America. Reading and discussing the book can open up conversations about the importance of freedom and the ways in which enslaved people preserved their culture and supported each other.

8. Read Stories with Black Girls as Protagonists

Black History Month Activities for Kids

Direct students to the “ 1000 Black Girl Books ” resource guide and select books to read together. This initiative, which highlights stories with Black girls as the main characters, is a fantastic way to introduce diverse voices and experiences into your reading list. Discussing these stories can help students understand different perspectives and the power of representation in literature.

9. African American Music Appreciation

Black History Month Activities for Kids

Dive into the rich history of African American music by exploring genres like jazz, blues, gospel, hip-hop, and R&B. Create a playlist of iconic songs from different eras, and organize a listening party. Discuss the origins of each genre and its cultural significance. Incorporate dance by teaching children steps from African or African American dances, or have them create their own choreography inspired by the music. This activity celebrates the profound impact of African American artists on the music world and encourages kids to express themselves through movement and rhythm.

10. Create a Mural

Black History Month Activities for Kids

Invite students to work together on a large mural that depicts themes of freedom, unity, and the achievements of Black Americans throughout history. This could involve painting figures who have made significant contributions to society, symbols of the civil rights movement, or scenes that reflect the students’ understanding of Black History Month. This project not only fosters teamwork and creativity but also serves as a visual reminder of the lessons learned during the month.

11. Discover African American Cuisine

Black History Month Activities for Kids

Host a day where students can explore African American culinary traditions, which are rich with history and flavor. Share stories about the origins of dishes like soul food, Creole cuisine, and traditional African meals. If possible, organize a potluck or cooking demonstration where children can taste and learn to make simple recipes. This activity offers a delicious way to connect with history and understand the cultural significance of food.

12. Learn about African American Scientists and Inventors

Black History Month Activities for Kids

Encourage students to research African American scientists and inventors whose work has changed the world. This can be done through a digital scavenger hunt or an interactive presentation using tools like PowerPoint or Google Slides. Students could focus on figures like Mae Jemison , the first African American woman in space, or Lonnie Johnson , inventor of the Super Soaker. This project highlights the contributions of Black individuals in the fields of science and technology, inspiring students to explore their own interests in these areas.

13. Share Family Stories

Black History Month Activities for Kids

Invite students to learn about their own families’ histories and any connections to Black history. They can interview family members, write down stories, or bring in photos and artifacts that represent their heritage. Sharing these stories in class can foster a sense of community and personal connection to history. It’s a powerful way to show that history is not just about big names and dates but also about the experiences and contributions of ordinary people.

Final thoughts

Embracing Black History Month with kids through a variety of activities is a celebration of culture, innovation, and strength. From exploring the inventions of Garrett Morgan to dancing to the rhythms of African American music, each activity offers a window into the contributions and achievements of Black Americans.

By integrating these Black History Month activities for kids into our teaching or parenting, we not only honor the past but also inspire the next generation to appreciate diversity and aspire to greatness. Let’s make this Black History Month a transformative time for our children, filled with learning, creativity, and discovery, ensuring they carry forward the lessons of resilience, unity, and respect throughout their lives.

school projects for elementary students

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Meet Med Kharbach, PhD

Dr. Med Kharbach is an influential voice in the global educational technology landscape, with an extensive background in educational studies and a decade-long experience as a K-12 teacher. Holding a Ph.D. from Mount Saint Vincent University in Halifax, Canada, he brings a unique perspective to the educational world by integrating his profound academic knowledge with his hands-on teaching experience. Dr. Kharbach's academic pursuits encompass curriculum studies, discourse analysis, language learning/teaching, language and identity, emerging literacies, educational technology, and research methodologies. His work has been presented at numerous national and international conferences and published in various esteemed academic journals.

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Anchorage School District plan to cut dedicated elementary art classes and health instructors draws concern

school projects for elementary students

Chelsea Ambrose, an art teacher at Kincaid and Gladys Wood elementary schools, expressed skepticism that art education can be meaningfully incorporated into other classroom work if the Anchorage School District discontinues dedicated art classes. Photographed on February 15, 2024. (Marc Lester / ADN)

The Anchorage School District is proposing a major change to how art and health instruction is delivered in elementary schools next year. That plan, which would require dozens of teachers to reapply for jobs and replace a popular program for gifted students, is drawing pushback from parents and educators.

The change was presented last week as part of the district’s budget for the upcoming school year, and includes cutting dedicated art classes for students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Those lessons would be replaced by a weekly hybrid class for all students that merges five subjects into a single hour: science, technology, engineering, art and math, or STEAM. Additionally, the STEAM class would replace the IGNITE program for gifted students.

The district is also proposing eliminating two dozen dedicated elementary school health instructor positions, and having that subject be taught by classroom instructors instead.

The school board is set to vote on the plan as part of its overall budget at its meeting Tuesday, Feb. 27. The board was originally set to vote on Feb. 20 but school officials said Friday the vote was delayed to allow for more time for public comment.

The proposal to reshuffle elementary education is one of many trims and reductions included in the district’s budget for the upcoming school year, meant to offset a nearly $100 million deficit it is facing amid flat funding for public education at the state level.

The changes to elementary education are expected to save the district about $2.2 million. However, they’re drawing criticism from educators who expressed skepticism that art and health can be meaningfully incorporated into more general coursework.

[ Gov. Dunleavy points to national study in his push to expand Alaska charter schools. It’s drawing scrutiny from lawmakers and school officials. ]

“I’m just heartbroken for my students. It’s been a very emotional week,” said Chelsea Ambrose, who teaches art at Kincaid and Gladys Wood elementary schools.

Under the STEAM program, science and math would continue to be taught by classroom teachers, but the new class would supplement lessons with hands-on learning and project-based assignments, said Erik Viste, senior director of elementary education with the school district.

Students “would be tackling real-world problems” by “using science, design theories, or scientific theories from the engineering and from the science pieces to solve hands-on, real-life problems,” Viste said in an interview. He said no curriculum had been developed yet for the new program.

“It would include art, so art wouldn’t necessarily be going away,” said Viste, who first presented the plan during an Anchorage School Board meeting last week. He said the plan would serve all elementary students, but ultimately cost the district less.

“STEAM can actually expand our artistic elements,” Viste said. ”This would align with our local economy: When you’re looking at our industries, a lot of it is science-based,” he said.

The changes would mean that the district’s nearly 50 elementary art and health teachers, along with 18 of IGNITE’s 20 teachers, would lose their current positions at the end of the school year and need to reapply for newly posted STEAM instructor positions — or other vacant teaching jobs — if they want to continue teaching in the district.

“What we would be doing is posting those (STEAM) positions, they’d be a full-time positions, and we’d be encouraging anyone to apply, including art teachers,” Viste said.

Viste said the goal was to preserve some of the creative learning opportunities IGNITE provided to students while also saving money. IGNITE — “Including Gifted Needs in Today’s Education” — is a beloved program for high-performing elementary students. The district has proposed cutting it to save money in previous years as well, each time garnering hours of public testimony in favor of the program.

While IGNITE was only for higher-performing students who tested into the program, all students would participate in STEAM. In an earlier presentation, Viste noted disparities in which students were accessing IGNITE, and said part of their proposed solution was meant to close that gap.

In interviews, some teachers described the value of having art and health taught as their own subjects.

“Art matters,” said Nerissa Thorson, who recently switched to teaching art after a 17-year career as a classroom teacher because of the value she believes art provides to her students. “Art is really important to child development, to being creative.”

“It’s really unfair and unjust to the subject, and to the professionals who are teaching it,” said Jenell Hartman, who teaches health at multiple schools in the district.

school projects for elementary students

Denali Elementary School health teacher Jenell Hartman opposes the Anchorage School District’s proposal to eliminate dedicated elemenatry health teachers and assign health instruction to other teachers. Photographed February 13, 2024. (Marc Lester / ADN)

She said she doesn’t think classroom teachers will have the time to teach health on top of their packed schedules, and that health is an essential subject that includes a wide range of essential topics — from hygiene, first aid, menstruation and sexual assault to mental and physical well-being.

“For students, if they didn’t have health, I think that they would lose a lot,” said Hartman. “Everything we teach them is literally how to take care of the bodies they have,” she said.

[ Aquatic robots and 3D-printed coral: Anchorage teacher connects students to real-world science ]

Ambrose was similarly skeptical that important elements of art education wouldn’t be lost.

“I am really fearful that it’s going to be something like studying salmon, and you do some science with the salmon, and then the art component is sketching the anatomy of a salmon. Which isn’t art,” she said. “Can it be beautiful? Yeah. Does it involve some fine motor skills? Absolutely. But is that really art? Is that an activity that’s going to harness your creativity and artistic bravery?”

‘Only because we don’t have the funding’

School board member Andy Holleman said in an interview he hoped the public understands that what is being proposed is the result of a lack of adequate state education funding, which has put the district in a difficult spot.

The state’s per-pupil funding formula, called the Base Student Allocation, hasn’t significantly increased since 2017, and has been far outpaced by inflation.

The Legislature returned to session last month with education funding as an early focus — but it failed to override the governor’s veto of $87 million in one-time education funding.

Alaska House Republicans then advanced a contentious education package with a $77 million permanent boost to school funding — far short of the $350 million annual increase education advocates have asked for. The package, which also includes funding for homeschooled children and a provision meant to increase the number of charter schools in Alaska, has stalled without support from a majority of legislators.

The Legislature last week began negotiations on the fraught education package.

“We’re cutting (IGNITE) only because we don’t have the funding,” Holleman said of the proposed changes to elementary education, adding that he’s received hundreds of emails from families who are concerned about the loss of the gifted program, and that he agrees with many of them.

school projects for elementary students

Anchorage School Board members Andy Holleman and Kelly Lessens listen as art teacher Chelsea Ambrose testifies on the proposal to eliminate dedicated art classes next year in favor of a STEAM program that covers science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics, during a school board meeting on Feb. 6. (Bill Roth / ADN)

He said he anticipated that the current proposal, if approved, would cause some art and health teachers to leave the district so they could fully teach their subjects elsewhere.

Teachers reached for this story described what they felt was a hastily launched proposal by school administrators that would have negative impacts on students and families, and was being presented without much time for public input.

For Hartman, the health teacher, the loss of dedicated health instruction would mean fewer opportunities for the kind of vulnerable and important conversations that can happen in a health class taught by instructors with hours of specialized training.

“Alaska has the highest rate of sexual assault . And I think about that all the time when I’m teaching these kiddos,” Hartman said.

She teaches students about their bodily autonomy and sexual assault awareness as required under the Alaska Safe Children’s Act .

“Every year I’ve had kiddos report things to me after these lessons. And every year, I’ve had to call (the Office of Children’s Services),” she said.

Some art teachers said they were skeptical of the plan to incorporate art into a class with so many other subjects, and that they were uncertain whether they planned to apply to the STEAM positions next year.

“I think (the administration) is missing the point of art,” said Ambrose. “I think it’s coming from a place where they clearly are not in art classrooms, seeing the magic that takes place every day.”

Thorson, who teaches art at Girdwood, Inlet View and Trailside elementary schools, said her classes give students an opportunity to be creative and imaginative. She teaches everything from ceramics to printmaking to learning about form and shading, and trying oil pastels for the first time.

As a former classroom teacher, “I was watching students slowly lose time just to create and to be a kid. There was so much pressure put on reading and math, and it just didn’t feel what I wanted to do as a teacher anymore. It just felt like the fun kind of got sucked out of it,” she said.

Art also often offers something particularly meaningful to students for whom English is a second language, who have special needs or who may be struggling in other areas, she said.

“I truly feel that the art room really is the only place in the school now where all means all. Where all students can access that projects that we do, and all students can feel successful, no matter where they are academically,” she said.

Annie Berman

Annie Berman is a reporter covering health care, education and general assignments for the Anchorage Daily News. She previously reported for Mission Local and KQED in San Francisco before joining ADN in 2020. Contact her at [email protected].

Acmetonia students build sense of belonging, community with new program

Kellen Stepler

Students at Acmetonia Elementary School not only have homework, they also have house work.

Under the “House System,” students are assigned to one of five groups, or houses. House meetings are held each month, and students collaborate with their peers to work on various community-building activities, said Rebecca Garbisch, school counselor.

This week, students made Valentine’s Day cards for residents at Amber Woods at HarmarVillage. Previous meetings have featured ice-breaker and social skills activities.

Since its installation in the fall, the program has brought a better sense of community, character and academic development, school leaders say.

“It stemmed from a desire to provide a fun, community-based, positive behavior activity for students while at the same time create something that would give a good reason for students to feel excited about coming to school,” Garbisch said.

Students also try to earn house points for their team, which can be awarded through academic success, positive behavior, and attendance.

“For elementary students, being part of a house can help to build a positive connection to their school,” Principal Greg Heavner said. “Having mixed-grade groups allows older students to form leadership skills and gain experience in mentoring. Younger students benefit from the experience and encouragement of students in higher grades.

“We are always looking to build a stronger school culture, and our House System is part of that positive school culture recipe.”

Sixth grader Faith Browo said the program has improved students’ behavior and created a sense of belonging at the school.

“It’s a good teamwork thing — to learn how to get along with each other,” she said.

Kellen Stepler is a TribLive reporter covering the Allegheny Valley and Burrell school districts and surrounding areas. He joined the Trib in April 2023. He can be reached at [email protected] .

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Woodward elementary students celebrate milestone date.

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Students in Jerrica McGinness’ third grade class celebrated the 100th day of school recently with lots of fun activities. Students enjoyed various STEM stations and showcased their perseverance and ingenuity.

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Minden students help North Carolina school after fire, raise money for children’s hospital

Rocio Hernandez

Good morning, and welcome to the Indy Education newsletter. I’m Rocio Hernandez, The Nevada Independent’s K-12 education reporter. 

This newsletter provides a recap of the latest education stories and highlights interesting educators, students, programs and other events and resources throughout the state. Click here to subscribe to the newsletter and receive it each Tuesday via email. I want to hear from you! Send questions, comments or suggestions on what I should be covering to [email protected] .

News briefs

school projects for elementary students

🏈 Nevada teachers union critical of public funding for stadiums — Days ahead of the first Super Bowl to be held in Las Vegas, National Education Association of Southern Nevada President Vicki Kreidel shared her thoughts on using public funding to construct stadiums in an interview with MSNBC . Her union is fighting against the use of $380 million in taxpayer funds to help construct a new baseball stadium to bring the Oakland A’s to Las Vegas, and recently filed a lawsuit to block the public financing. The union has said its goal is to ensure state funding goes to essential services such as schools, “not to a California billionaire.” 

“When we're told there's no more money, when the teachers on the front line are sacrificing to try to hold the schools together with basically tape and a stapler so that we can teach, it's infuriating,” she said in the interview. 

📄 Washoe County schools seeking public input on superintendent search — The Washoe County School District has released an online survey where community members can anonymously share their thoughts on the district’s superintendent search. The Washoe County School Board is looking to select a new superintendent by mid-May and is targeting a start date of July 1, more than a month before the start of the new school year. The survey is open from now through Friday, Feb. 23.

The school board is expected to hear updates on the search at its Feb. 13 meeting. 

🥦 Food pantry opens inside North Las Vegas high school — The Just One Project, a nonprofit mobile food pantry, opened a community market at Mojave High School that will provide fresh produce, grocery items and household goods at no cost to students and their families, as well as to school employees. The market, which opened earlier this month, also offers support services such as homelessness prevention assistance. It’s open by appointment only during school hours from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. This location is the nonprofit's third to open inside of a Clark County School District campus. The organization plans to celebrate the opening of an additional market at J.E. Manch Elementary School in East Las Vegas next month.

School Spotlight

Minden students feeling proud after helping North Carolina school, children’s hospital

school projects for elementary students

It’s never too early to start helping others. Just ask the kindergarten and first grade students at Minden Elementary School.

Last month, the school’s two kindergarten classes (47 students in total) teamed up to organize a school supply drive after learning about a fire at J.C. Sawyer Elementary School in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, on the last day of 2023. Though no structural damage was reported, the school’s kindergarten classrooms suffered from fire, smoke and water damage. 

During a school meeting where kindergartners and their teachers talked about the fire and the students affected, Minden kindergarten teacher Jenny Hemsath said the students wanted to step up and help that school out. 

“It was nice to see immediate empathy,” she said in an interview. “They were able to connect to what others might be feeling and they wanted to help. I think it took a while to wrap their heads around how we could help … but they were very into it.”

The classes collected about 30 pounds of supplies including pencils, markers and glue. 

“No matter how old you are, you can still help,” 6-year-old Mason Freitas said in an interview about what he learned through the experience. 

The drive came about a month after Minden first graders raised about $1,400 for Renown Children’s Hospital by selling $2 handmade friendship bracelets and $1 cotton candy late last year, far exceeding their $500 goal. The school’s two first grade classes of about 100 students were inspired to help the children’s hospital after speaking with first grade teacher Madi Hukkanen’s sister, who works there as a nurse, about her job.

The students made the bracelets and cotton candy with help from parents, volunteers and local high school students. They also made posters and a video to promote their sale. 

“They're pretty impressive, these little friends, and they definitely like to give back,” said first grade teacher Stacia Almeida in an interview.

Have a student or staffer who we should feature in the next edition of School Spotlight? Share your nominations with me at [email protected] .

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Douglas County superintendent pick has controversial past

The Douglas County School Board offered the top district job to former Stockton Unified School District Superintendent John Ramirez Jr. last Tuesday despite a long line of public commenters who opposed the appointment citing his past arrest for DUI, and accusations of financial mismanagement of district funds and sexual harassment.   

After delays, lawmakers release $56 million to fund educator raises at 7 districts

An interim legislative committee on Thursday approved about $56 million to fund additional raises for teachers and support staff at seven school districts. 

Clark County School Board wants to negotiate new terms for Jara’s departure

The Clark County School Board voted 5-2 Wednesday to direct its legal counsel to negotiate new terms for the pending termination of Superintendent Jesus Jara’s contract, after a vote to accept his original departure proposal failed. The board also decided to table a discussion on the appointment of a new superintendent. Numerous community members have called for the board to conduct a nationwide search to find the district’s next leader. 

After lawsuit, Clark County schools release Jara social media records

The Clark County School District has released documents related to Superintendent Jesus Jara’s X account after the teachers union filed suit, alleging that he used the account to make disparaging remarks about union leadership. 

Analysis: Lower-performing, higher-need schools in Nevada have less-experienced teachers

An analysis by The Nevada Independent found that statewide, teachers in non-Title I schools had an average of more than 20 percent more experience than those in Title I schools. Additionally, schools that have not met the state’s performance standards — denoted by a “one star” rating by the state — also had significantly lower average teacher experience than higher-performing schools.

Extra Credit

Race-based remark by union leader fuels teacher pay controversy

The head of the teachers union in the Clark County School District said he didn’t support a revised pay scale that would have better recognized veteran teachers’ education and experience because those teachers were likely to be white and in the suburbs, the Las Vegas Sun reported. 

Youth with autism are more likely to be arrested. A Nevada judge wants to remedy that

A Las Vegas-based specialty court program aims to address the behaviors of at-risk juvenile offenders with autism and to prevent them from entering the revolving door of the criminal justice system as adults, NPR reported.

Events           

🍎 Washoe County School Board meeting — Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2 p.m. 

The agenda includes updates to the ongoing superintendent search and a presentation on the reduction of the district’s current walk zones, which sets the distance students must live from their school before qualifying for busing. That policy will be implemented next Tuesday. 

🍎 Douglas County School Board meeting — Tuesday, Feb. 13, 4 p.m. 

The agenda includes a discussion, and possible approval, of an employment contract for the incoming superintendent. 

Featured social media post

Check out the story on North Las Vegas-based Gilbert Academy of Creative Arts fifth grade student Miguel Garcia’s experience . 

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36 Fun & Engaging After-School Activity Ideas For Elementary

November 10, 2023 //  by  Rachel Cruz

After a long day at school, your kids may not want to do anything but watch TV or play video games, which can be detrimental to their development. Instead, why not engross them in various crafts or games that promote their mental and physical health?  Below, you’ll find a wide range of ideas that’ll engage your young learners’ minds as they dabble in some amazing art projects, science experiments, and problem-solving games. Try these 28 enchanting after-school activities to keep your elementary-aged kids off the screen and actively learning!

1. Create a Catapult

Calling all of your little engineers!  Challenge your students to design a functioning catapult using popsicle sticks and rubber bands! In their last step of construction, they’ll attach a bottlecap to their catapult to hold their projectile in place- marshmallows and paper balls work well!

Learn More:  Kids Discovery Place

2. Spaghetti Towers 

Two food items that don’t naturally go together can make for an exciting STEM activity! Dry spaghetti noodles and marshmallows are the perfect materials for your kids to build sturdy towers. If you don’t have the required materials on hand, your littles can use straws and tape. As they experiment with design techniques they can compete to build the tallest tower!

Learn More:  RIGB

3. Build a Ball Drop Maze

Building a ball drop is an excellent way to use recycled materials and promote critical thinking in your pupils. To do so, they’ll take empty paper towel rolls, wrapping paper, and toilet paper rolls, and tape them to a wall with painter’s tape; constructing a fun maze for a ball to travel through. Your elementary students won’t even realize that they’re working on their fine and gross motor skills while creating this fun contraption.

Learn More: Cambridge Montessori

4. Magnetic Slime

Making slime is an activity that ALL students love. Change it up from the regular recipe by adding black iron oxide powder and liquid starch to make it magnetic! We bet your kiddos will be impressed by the new properties of their gooey toy; making it perfect for an interactive and engaging after-school activity.

Learn More:  Little Bins For Little Hands

5. Minute To Win It Games

Minute to win it games are exhilarating, competitive games that can be played individually against a timer, or with teams! There are hundreds of exciting games for your kids to choose from- like stacking as many dice as they can on a popsicle stick that’s balancing in their mouth. They’ll feel the pressure as they only have 60 seconds to complete each of the tasks!

Learn More:  Tiny Beans

6. Can You Fit Through An Index Card?

When asking your kiddies- can you fit it through an index card… most children will say no! Hand them a pair of scissors and see if they’re up for the task! After they struggle through a few tries, cutting different shapes and holes- offer them up the trick! They’ll see how, with the proper cuts, they can expand the size of the paper and fit their bodies through it! They’ll definitely think it’s magic and want to show all of their friends!

Learn More:  Parent Vault

7. Build a Hovercraft

Your kids will surely be on board for building a DIY hovercraft after school! They’ll start by gathering the necessary materials; a balloon, duct tape, a rubber band, a straw, a CD, a pencil, a skewer, and a piece of packing foam to create their flying machines! The construction process is only half the fun; once they add their air supply they can play games and race their hoverboards all afternoon long!

Learn More:  PBS Kids

8. Make a Lava Lamp

Lava lamps are a great after-school craft that’s suitable for any age. Plus, they can be used for mindfulness and calming down. All your kiddos need is some vegetable oil, colors, glitter, and anything else that they’d like to see floating around in their jars. Once they’ve mixed everything, they can seal it and watch in awe as the lava flows!

9. Egg Drop Challenge

I’m sure you’ve seen, or even remember doing, the classic egg drop activity yourself! Provide your elementary kiddos with an egg, a cup, a bag, a string, and something to cushion their egg with. Then, task them with creating a special design that can be used to house an egg and protect it from breaking when dropped from a height. Whether successful or not, prompt them to analyze their designs based on the outcome of the experiment! 

Learn More:  There’s Just One Mommy

10. Pop Up Cards

We all see the value in teaching our kids to be thoughtful and kind humans, right? In this activity, your students will design a pop-up card and write a sincere note to a friend or family member. Prompt them to add their own artistic touch with a pop-up flower, superhero, or any other image of choice!

Learn More:  Tinker Lab

11. Make A Balloon Car

Balloon cars are a fun children’s activity promoting higher-level thinking and problem-solving skills. Challenge your older elementary kids to make the fastest car from an empty, plastic bottle and a balloon! Once they’ve added some bottle cap wheels- they’ll be all set to race all of their friends!

Learn More:  Science Buddies

12. String Puppets

We love these unique string puppets, and we know your kids will too! Essentially, they’ll thread string through straws to make jointed limbs and add a paper face to decorate their puppets. Then, they can pull the tabs to make their puppets dance and move around as they entertain you with a puppet show!

13. Finger Knitting

You and your kiddos may be surprised to know that you can knit with just your fingers and some yarn! Finger knitting is an excellent fine motor activity that will calm your students down after school. Following step-by-step guides, they’ll be able to knit blankets, hats, and animals by wrapping yarn around their fingers!

Learn More:  The Craft Train

14. Foil Art

Foil art is a fantastic art project that your little ones will love! All they’ll need is a piece of aluminum foil and some paint! Simply have them crumple up the foil for some texture, and then get to work painting their very own masterpieces!

Learn More:  Toddler Approved

15. Suminagashi

Suminagashi is an art technique from Japan that will keep your kiddos entertained for hours on end! They’ll need marbling paints, brushes, and a bin filled with 2 inches of water. To begin, get them to place a piece of paper into the bin filled with water. Next, they can load their paint brushes with colored ink and tap the surface of the water; watching the ink instantly spread into a beautiful work of art! Finally, they can remove their sheet of paper and hang it up to dry.

Learn More:  Inner Child Fun

16. Make A Kaleidoscope

These DIY kaleidoscopes are the perfect after-school activity for your kiddos to create and then play with! To make them- they’ll need a toilet paper tube, a straw, paper, and mylar strips of mirrored paper. They’ll follow the steps to piece together the eyehole before spending time coloring unique designs on the piece of paper that they’ll gaze at.

Learn More:  Buggy And Buddy

17. Rubber Band Art

Rubber band art is an excellent activity for after-school time and best of all it requires minimal supplies. All your pupils need is cardstock paper, rubber bands, and a sponge. To create their masterpieces, they can wrap rubberbands around the piece of paper, dip sponges in paint, and apply them to their sheet of paper. Once the paint dries, they can cut the rubber bands and reveal all of the cool lines and color splotches!

Learn More:  Babble Dabble Do

18. Popsicle Stick Weaving

Popsicle weaving will surely keep your kids busy and calm after school! With 2 craft sticks tied together in a T shape, they’ll weave yarn around the sticks to create a mandala-like design. This is a great fine motor activity with an end product that can be hung in their rooms as a decoration.

Learn More:  Pretty Opinionated

19. Popsicle Stick Harmonicas

Who knew that you could make a harmonica out of popsicle sticks? This musical instrument is easy to make and only requires popsicle sticks, a straw, rubber bands, and loom bands! Your students will be surprised when they blow into their craft and it makes a melodic sound!

Learn More:  My Baba

20. Leaf Rubbing

This autumn-inspired art project invites you to take your students on a walk to collect a variety of attractive leaves after school. Then, they’ll be ready to apply the leaf rubbing technique by placing their leaves underneath a piece of parchment paper and coloring over the top with crayons. The veins and intricate details of the leaves will pop into a texturized fall collage!

Learn More:  KC Edventures

21. Raised Salt Painting

Your kiddies will be obsessed with raised salt painting! To start, they’ll squeeze glue onto cardstock. Then, they’ll sprinkle salt all over the lines of glue. Finally, they can carefully apply watercolors to each of the lines and let their art pieces dry. Completing this simple art activity is a quiet way for your pupils to spend the afternoon. 

Learn More:  Artful Parent

22. Watermelon Chess

school projects for elementary students

Despite the name, this strategy game that’s been derived from China is nothing similar to the classic game of chess. This is a 2 player battle game that requires a few counters and a printable board. Your elementary kids will need to engage their problem-solving skills to be the first to immobilize their opponent’s markers!

Learn More: What We Do All Day

23. Snowflake Suncatcher

school projects for elementary students

This after-school activity is sure to brighten your children’s winter days!! They’ll have tons of fun cutting snowflakes out of colored paper and adhering them to clear plastic wrap. After tearing up a rainbow of tissue paper, your students can glue the pieces into a mosaic design and cheerfully watch the sun shine through once they’re hung in a nearby window.

Learn More: Kids Activity Zone

24. Roll A Monster

Time to bring out your little one’s inner monster with this fun dice and art game! To prepare, print out the instructions and give your kids dice and colorful felt pieces. According to the number they roll, they’ll then follow the directions to craft a unique felt monster. For example, rolling a 4 means that they’ll have to add one horn, and a 5 allows them to add one leg. The fun part is that they can play this multiple times and they’ll always end up with a different Frankenstein-like monster! 

Learn More: HomeMade Heather

25. Breathing Exercises

Breathwork is a beneficial practice that teaches your young ones to calm their minds and improve their mental health. A simple and effective breathing exercise is inhaling and exhaling in the shape of mountains. Another fun technique allows them to practice breathing like a cute, little bunny!

Learn More: La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools

26. The Floor is Lava

school projects for elementary students

Here’s a great activity to expel your students’ energy at the end of a school day! To play, begin by scattering paper or felt stepping stones across the “lava” to protect your young one’s feet. Add some numbers or words to get them to practice math facts or recite sight words as they hop along; trying their best not to fall into the burning lava!

Learn More: Learning Resources

27. Animal Yoga

school projects for elementary students

Yoga combines physical activity, mental awareness, and emotional skills all rolled into one. Pick a card and have your little ones practice flowing their body to become an elephant, crocodile, or even a tiger! To boost self-esteem, they can rehearse positive mantras to fully bring mindfulness to their thoughts! 

Learn More: Washington State University

28. DIY Trees

school projects for elementary students

This tactile activity is a wonderful way to bring nature to life. Begin the sensory play by having your kids crush up dry leaves from outside. Then, they can cut and paste paper in the form of a tree and glue all of their different leaf crumbs to make a colorful 3D tree! 

Learn More: TikTok

29. Dreamcatchers

school projects for elementary students

Chase your little one’s nightmares away by keeping this intricate dreamcatcher next to their bed at night. To create, they’ll simply need to cut the middle out of a paper plate before weaving yarn between punched holes along the circumference. Then, they’re free to decorate their dreamcatchers using markers, beads, and glitter- maybe even hanging feathers to add some finishing flair!

Learn More: One Little Project

30. Robot Dance

school projects for elementary students

Dust off that boom box and get your kids ready to move!! In this musical gross motor skills game, your littles will be able to show off their best robotic dance moves as you call out different movement commands. For example; walk in a rectangle, take on giant step, and spin in a circle- all while acting as a stiff robot! 

Learn More: Sara J. Creations

31. Exploring Colors

school projects for elementary students

This colorful activity merges science and art as it invites your kids to explore the hues created from a chemical reaction. To set up, they’ll need to fill a tray with baking soda and an ice cube tray with vinegar and different watercolors. Then, they’ll use droplets to blend the vinegar colors with the baking soda; resulting in an awesome reaction. 

Learn More: Buggy and Buddy

32. Nature Bracelet

All you need for this creative activity is a piece of tape and the beautiful outdoors. By turning the sticky side up and wrapping tape around your child’s wrist, they can walk around sticking a variety of natural textiles to their bracelets. They can use flower petals, blades of grass, and even clovers for good luck!

Learn More: Sprouting Wild Ones

33. Who We Are On the Inside 

school projects for elementary students

Teach your children that what truly makes them unique is their thoughts and feelings with this introspective spin on a self-portrait! First, they’ll need to fold a small portion of the top of the paper down and illustrate their faces- with their forehead meeting at the fold. Once complete, they’ll open the fold to reveal a space at the crown of their head where they’ll write or draw everything that flows through their beautiful mind!

Learn More: Art with Mrs. E

34. Water Drop Race

school projects for elementary students

Get ready, get set, H2O! This is a super cool way to introduce your little scientists in training to the idea of surface tension. For experiment tools, they’ll need water, straws, and parchment paper. Challenge your students to move water from a start to a finish line by blowing the droplets across the wax paper with a straw! 

35. Coffee Filter Wall Hanging

school projects for elementary students

Your students will be dying to hang their coffee filter art projects with pride! Grab some coffee filters and have your elementary-aged children decorate them with a mix of watercolors. Once dried, they can attach the painted filters to a branch with string. Pottery Barn can’t compete with this colorful display!

Learn More: Art Bar Blog

36. Seussian Sculptures

school projects for elementary students

Calling all Dr. Seuss fans! This activity will unlock your child’s creativity when you present them with a colorful mix of media such as pipe cleaners, beads, pool noodle pieces, and any other whimsical material. They’ll enjoy fusing the most interesting ideas into these non-traditional sculptures!

Learn More: Scrum Dilly Do

Chandler Unified school board accused of failing to act on 'Goon' attacks

school projects for elementary students

Two days after a southeast Valley parent whose child was beaten by a group of teens filed a $6 million notice of claim against the Chandler Unified School District, a dozen people spoke before the governing board and called on it to take action against teen violence.

"It is not enough to react to incidents as they occur," said speaker Angela Rogers, who urged the board to conduct a deep dive into assault and suspension data. "We must understand the patterns and causes, for there is a connection between on- and off-campus behavior that we cannot afford to ignore anymore."

In the notice of claim, which was sent to prospective defendants on Monday and is a required step before a lawsuit against a public entity or employee in Arizona, a Chandler Unified parent alleged school officials were warned his son had received death threats and made no effort to stop the harassment before he was beaten in August at an In-N-Out Burger in Gilbert , leaving him with a severe concussion and other injuries. 

Jamie Lander, the principal of Riggs Elementary School, was named in the claim and is now on leave, the district told parents on Tuesday . Her stepson was arrested in connection with the August beating outside the In-N-Out.

Lander, who has not responded to The Arizona Republic's calls or texts, also has been named in two lawsuits.

The first, filed last week on behalf of the victim of the August In-N-Out beating , accuses more than a dozen young people identified as "Gilbert Goons" of assaulting unsuspecting victims, recording attacks, and sharing photos and videos of them on social media. It accuses their parents of negligent supervision.

The second, filed Monday, targets Goons for their alleged involvement in a  May attack on a 17-year-old in a Mesa park.  The  suit claims  Lander's stepson "set up" the attack and threatened another.

A Dec. 14 investigation by The Republic first detailed a string of vicious attacks by the Goons, who recorded their attacks on teens in parks and parking garages, outside fast-food restaurants and at house parties. The Republic also outlined the group's potential ties to the fatal beating of 16-year-old Preston Lord outside of an Oct. 28 Halloween party in Queen Creek.

Since The Republic's report was published, at least 15 adults and juveniles have been arrested in connection with Goon attacks by authorities in Gilbert, Mesa and Pinal County.

Students, parents address board and offer ideas to lessen violence

At Chandler Unified's Wednesday evening board meeting, parents and community members accused the board and superintendent of a pattern of silence and inaction around teen violence.

Trisha Young, a parent of a student at Riggs Elementary School, accused the governing board of supporting Lander.

"This district's silence on Mrs. Lander's involvement has been consistent and deafening," Young said. "As parents, we were told it was not our business, and Mrs. Lander was unilaterally supported by this board."

There were calls for the governing board to adopt a policy requiring students to turn their phones off during school hours, increase substance abuse prevention education, better promote the district's anonymous reporting tool among students, and focus on diversion programs rather than suspensions.

Casteel High eighth grader Maryn Glenn, 14, told the board she wanted more awareness about teen violence at her school, specifically in classrooms and assemblies.

"Before I saw videos, I didn't understand the situation, and I didn't know how serious teen violence was," Maryn said. "If people don't know what is happening, they won't care.

"The victims need support, or they are stuck in fear," she said. "We need to put a stop to the threat and keep our communities safer."

At the meeting, Superintendent Frank Narducci announced several initiatives related to school safety: stickers for students' IDs with information about the district's anonymous tip line, mental health training for juniors across the district that includes a 90-minute lesson on violence, bullying and traumatic events, and a training for all of the district's social workers on social media, reality TV and influencer culture.

District says 'when legally allowed' it will clear up 'misinformation'

In a statement released Wednesday, the district said it is "both appalled and saddened by the serious reports of threats and violence occurring within our community, particularly among our youth, and adds its voice to the collective chorus calling for an end to this violence."

The district said it has jurisdiction and authority to take disciplinary action in response to any district student who "engages in threatening behavior on District campuses and properties, at school-sponsored events and activities, or when such misconduct interferes with the District’s ability to maintain order."

The statement said that in matters where the district "lacks jurisdiction and authority to take disciplinary action," the district cooperates with parents, police departments and prosecutors. Suspected criminal behavior is referred to local law enforcement, it said.

Accusations lodged: $6M claim: Chandler school officials, Gilbert police failed to stop 'Gilbert Goons' attack

The statement said the district cannot comment on personnel matters or pending litigation but that "when legally allowed," the district "intends to address the significant misinformation now circulating on this topic."

The district also encouraged people to report any "suspected threats and violence" through its anonymous tip line, Speak Up for Safety, by calling 480-573-8808 or emailing  [email protected] .

Conspiracy alleged: 17 'Gilbert Goons' and parents sued over attacks

Katey McPherson, a parent of four students in the district and community organizer who has been rallying people in response to Lord's death, called the district's response disingenuous and too late.

In April, McPherson sent an email to Chandler Unified officials, as well as leaders of other southeast Valley school districts, warning them about a teen involved in an attack. That teen acknowledged multiple instances of planning assaults for no reason, according to court records.

"I do not expect them to comment on legal cases that are underway," McPherson said. "I do expect them, as leaders in the community, the minute this happened, to come out and to acknowledge the loss of life, the tragedy that has tentacles all over the school district."

McPherson said she wants school leaders to join with parents through focus groups and listening sessions to find reasonable solutions.

"We have assailants on campus. We have victims on campus," McPherson said. "On every campus, there's a touchpoint to this violence, this harassment and Preston."

Fallout: Chandler Unified principal on leave as 'Goon'-related legal claims stack up

Republic reporters Robert Anglen and Elena Santa Cruz contributed to this article.

Madeleine Parrish covers K-12 education. Reach her at [email protected] .

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COMMENTS

  1. 65+ Real-World Project-Based Learning Ideas for All Interests

    Project-based learning (PBL) uses real-world projects and student-directed activities to build knowledge and skills. Kids choose a real-world topic that's meaningful to them (some people call these "passion projects"), so they're engaged in the process from the beginning. These projects are long-term, taking weeks, months, or even a ...

  2. Elementary School Science Projects

    Elementary School Science Projects. (691 results) For a personalized list of science projects, elementary schoolers can use the Science Buddies Topic Selection Wizard. The wizard asks students to respond to a series of simple statements and then uses their answers to recommend age-appropriate projects that fit their interests. Select a resource.

  3. 30 Fun and Engaging Activities for Elementary Students

    Here are 30 amazing activities for elementary students. 1. Team Building Activities. From Escape Rooms to human knots, these indoor and outdoor activities for kids are great for bringing your classroom together. Kids will work together and use quick thinking to problem solve and build trust among each other.

  4. Crafts Project Ideas for Elementary School Kids

    Hands on as We Grow. This is a great learning tool for teaching the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" song. Make this craft with your kids and teach them the song. They can use the puppet to mime "climbing up the water spout.". Itsy Bitsy Spider Hand Puppet from Hands on as We Grow. Continue to 17 of 22 below.

  5. Elementary School Projects

    16 Fun Elementary School Projects. by Studentreasures | Jul. 27, 2021 | Classroom Activities. The new school year is about to begin, so it's time to start brainstorming some project ideas. If you're having trouble, this article will provide you with some inspiration for fun project ideas based on science, social studies, literature, and ...

  6. 100+ Project-Based Learning Ideas for Every Age

    Grades 6-8 Math. 70. Rescue the Roadkill Cafe. 71. Save the Family Business Project. 72. Curveball/Whiffleball Project. 72. Knights of the Road: Tell a Tachograph Tale.

  7. 30 of the Best Activities for Elementary Students of All Ages

    6. Rainbow Science. Combine science and magic with this paper towel activity. Simply color each end and place them in cups of water. Then watch as the colors race across the paper to create a rainbow. Learn More: Best Ideas for Kids. 7. Nature Walk Scavenger Hunt. Add an outdoor activity to your lesson plans.

  8. 28 Go-To Educational Activities for Elementary Students

    8. DIY Rainbow Board Game. Creating your own classroom board game can be a wonderful interactive activity for students to collaborate and decide on how many spaces, colors, rules, and details to include. Provide a topic for the game and give them freedom, or draw out a template for them to follow on their giant paper.

  9. Elementary School STEM Activities for Kids

    Our elementary school projects are written and tested by scientists and are specifically created for use by students in the elementary school grades. Students can choose to follow the science experiment as written or put their own spin on the project. For a personalized list of science projects, elementary schoolers can use the Science Buddies ...

  10. 25 Kid-Tested STEM Projects Made With Simple Materials

    by LanceMakes in Education. 25 Kid-Tested STEM Projects Made With Simple Materials: Easy and fun collection of STEM projects and lessons for elementary and middle school. Made for teachers, science fairs, and weekend activities. Find more ideas on our website STEM Inventions! You can also find lesson plans, project sheets, and more….

  11. My Favorite, Most Effective Classroom Projects for Elementary Students

    Classroom projects are my favorite way to get my students involved and make even the most worn-out subjects come alive. With access to the Internet and a little creativity, it's possible to infuse ...

  12. 72 Creative Ways for Students to Show What They Know

    Make a PowerPoint presentation - You can use presentation tools or templates to guide your students and make the process easier. Design a model. Make a shoebox diorama. Use a 3-panel display board. Make a timeline. Create a board game incorporating key elements. Write a poem.

  13. 62 School Project Ideas

    A good character building activity. Flags: create a flag representing either an actual county (like Libya) or fictitious place (like Narnia). This project should be accompanied by a brief report explaining what ideas the colors and images on the flags represent. Flash Cards: create cards helpful for study and review.

  14. 50 Back to School Activities for Elementary Students

    22. Emotion Cards: Share these emotion cards during the first days of school to help your new students recognize and share their feelings with you and their classmates. 23. Stringing Conversations Together Game: Activities that teach social skills can be especially helpful for early elementary students.

  15. Projects for Elementary Students

    The Art of Weather: Creating an Artistic Weather Enviroment. by poofrabbit in Education. Projects for Elementary Students: If you are a teacher or a parents with elementary school aged children, check out these projects for elementary students for fun, easy and educational ideas!

  16. Elementary School, Robotics Projects, Lessons, Activities

    Build a Mobile Sculpture - STEM activity. Popsicle Stick Catapult. Enter the realm of automation and innovation with robotics science experiments. Design, build, and program your own robots. Find an elementary school science experiment that is just right for you in this collection of fun hands-on science.

  17. 40 Arts and Crafts Activities for Elementary Students

    Painting and Drawing Crafts. 15. Draw, Paint, Sparkle. Enjoy drawing and painting a variety of designs, designed by someone who knows best - an actual elementary art teacher! The designs range from easy to difficult, so anyone can partake, no matter their level of expertise. Learn More: Amazon.

  18. Project Based Learning Activities for Elementary Students

    1) Look at the standards you want students to master by the end of the project. 2) Design the finished product or project using these standards. 3) Think about what students need to know in order to reach the final project. Turn these concepts and skills into mini lessons. Determine the order of the lessons that make sense.

  19. Black History Month Activities for Kids and Elementary Students

    Whether you're a teacher looking for classroom ideas or a parent seeking meaningful ways to engage your child at home, this guide is packed with unique and educational activities designed to make learning about Black history engaging, informative, and fun for kids and elementary students. Black History Month Activities for Kids . Here are ...

  20. Anchorage School District plan to cut dedicated elementary art classes

    The proposal to reshuffle elementary education is one of many trims and reductions included in the district's budget for the upcoming school year, meant to offset a nearly $100 million deficit ...

  21. Acmetonia students build sense of belonging, community with new program

    Students at Acmetonia Elementary School not only have homework, they also have house work. Under the "House System," students are assigned to one of five groups, or houses. House meetings are ...

  22. Woodward Elementary students celebrate milestone date

    Students in Jerrica McGinness' third grade class celebrated the 100th day of school recently with lots of fun activities. Students enjoyed various STEM stations and showcased their perseverance ...

  23. Minden students help North Carolina school after fire, raise money for

    Just ask the kindergarten and first grade students at Minden Elementary School. Last month, the school's two kindergarten classes (47 students in total) teamed up to organize a school supply drive after learning about a fire at J.C. Sawyer Elementary School in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, on the last day of 2023.

  24. 36 Fun & Engaging After-School Activity Ideas For Elementary

    Finger knitting is an excellent fine motor activity that will calm your students down after school. Following step-by-step guides, they'll be able to knit blankets, hats, and animals by wrapping yarn around their fingers! Learn More: The Craft Train. 14. Foil Art.

  25. Danbury students at Stadley Rough embrace 'We Can' message

    Students, teachers and families enjoyed performances from singer-songwriter Jesse Rubens, who brought his "We Can" message to Stadley Rough Elementary School.

  26. Chandler Unified school board accused of failing to act on 'Goon' attacks

    Trisha Young, a parent of a student at Riggs Elementary School, accused the governing board of supporting Lander. "This district's silence on Mrs. Lander's involvement has been consistent and ...