It’s an annual milestone – the 100^th Day of School.

Students and teachers at West Elementary School in Russellville marked the special day by doing activities surrounding the number 100 and by dressing up for the occasion – in this instance, by dressing like they were 100 years old. Suspenders, hair rollers, canes and spectacles all made an appearance as proper accessories for such a dress-up day.

In Rhonda Lier’s second grade class, students participated in a multi-step STEM project designed around the number 100. Divided into groups, students were charged with designing a plan and then executing what kinds of things they could create out of 100 of different items – like 100 pipe cleaners, 100 toothpicks or 100 drinking straws. The activity called for students to practice their teamwork, communication, analysis, writing and science skills and knowledge, Lier explained.

Rhonda Pounders’ class

These types of activities help to make the day memorable. Additionally, second grade teacher Rhonda Pounders added, it provides a great opportunity to give their students new and different ways to conceptualize such a big number.

Students in Lier’s class work to build a “house” out of 100 paint stirrers, as part of STEM activities on the 100th Day of School.

“We study math, and so they can see those days on the calendar and count them out,” explained Pounders. “They can see groups of ten and see what 100 really is … It’s also fun to relate it to a person’s age.”