Spring is in the air and it is the perfect time for new classroom projects. Whether you teach high school or elementary school, the right project can get kids out of the winter doldrums and geared up for warmer weather. Spring is the perfect time for new beginnings and new projects.
Arts & Crafts
Elementary students like learning how to do new crafts and, with so many different options, why be stingy? During March, teach students the saying “In like a lion and out like a lamb.” Explain to them the history and meaning behind it. Then let them make lions and lambs. Lions can be made with a paper plate for the face and gluing Cheerios as the mane. Lambs use paper plates combined with cotton balls.
Get Outside
Once the winter weather has subsided, give the kids a break from classes inside the classroom and get them outside into the warmer air. In most climates, spring temperatures are just right for these outdoor activities. Have scavenger hunts for younger children and let them explore nature in an educational way. For older students, let them do a flower collection for Science or have them write poetry about nature for English.
Decorate
Decorate your classroom in brighter colors to help students get in happier moods. Make one of your bulletin boards a countdown to the summer vacation. Spring is a season where everything is waking up, so give your students something to look forward to. You may also want to try letting your students help you decorate the room, especially if they are elementary. There are many borders and fun bulletin board supplies and ideas at Classroom Direct.
Grow a Plant
Spring is the perfect time to start a garden project for your class. There are many different types of plants you can begin growing that will allow students to not only enjoy the plant growing, but to see the process. For example, sweet potatoes make excellent classroom projects for young students. Simply poke toothpicks into the sweet potato in a circle around it (usually about 4 equally spread out). Then fill a see-through glass with water and place the potato partially in the water with the toothpicks holding it up. The students will be able to see the roots growing from the potato. Once the potato has developed a root system, allow the students to plant the potatoes in a pot of soil. If you really want to let your students have fun, let them decorate their pots before planting the potatoes.
