What is the 100th Day of School?
A math celebration that is a fun way to teach basic math concepts to children. It is celebrated at many different grade levels, but is most commonly celebrated in grades K-2. Anticipation builds as classrooms count each day they go to school one by one until they reach the 100 th day. On the 100th day, the whole class or school celebrates. Depending on what activities are taught (see ideas page), children may learn math concepts including counting, sorting, measuring, sequencing, graphing, classifying, etc.

When is the 100th Day of School?
Each class begins counting days from their first day of school. The actual date of the 100th day varies from school to school since different schools begin their year on different days. Celebrations typically take place on a date somewhere from mid-January to mid-February. (Holidays and unexpected days off such as snow days may also affect the date.)

Where did the idea of 100th day originate?
Two schools of thought have been suggested:
1. From Lynn Taylor introduced the celebration of 100 days celebration for kindergarten in the 81-82 Newsletter of the Center for Innovation in Education.
or 2. From Mary Baratta-Lorton, originator of Math Their Way

Joan Holub is the author and/or illustrator of over 100 children's books including:
Why Do Cats Meow? / Why Do Dogs Bark? / Why Do Horses Neigh?
Why Do Rabbits Hop? / Why Do Snakes Hiss? / Why Do Birds Sing?
The Man Who Named the Clouds / Riddle-iculous Math / Yankee Doodle Riddles / Geogra-fleas!
The Gingerbread Kid Goes to School
More Snacks, A Thanksgiving Play (Ant Hill series for ages 3-6)
Good Luck! A St. Patrick's Day Story (Ant Hill series for ages 3-6)
Elizabeth and the Royal Pony (Young Princesses Around the World series for ages 6-9)
Cleopatra and the King's Enemies (Young Princesses Around the World series for ages 6-9)
Breakout at the Bug Lab / Big Surprise in the Bug Tank
Vincent van Gogh: Sunflowers and Swirly Stars
Boo Who? A Spooky Lift-the-Flap Book / Eek-A-Boo! A Spooky Lift-the-Flap Book

Copyright © 1999 by Joan Holub Commercial use prohibited.

For teaching activities, writing tips for kids & more, visit Joan's website at:
www.joanholub.com

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