Are you wondering how to make February a month full of engaging and educational fun for your upper elementary students? π€ Look no further! In this post, we’re diving into a bunch of February classroom activities that are perfect for grades 3 through 6. From Valentine’s Day puzzles to President’s Day projects, we’ve got you covered with activities that will keep your students excited and learning all month long! Plus, you will find a FREE Valentine’s Day resource within the post.
In addition to my tips, youβre getting insightful ideas from Tiffany of The Learning Effect, Marissa of Creative Classroom Core, Cristy of Your Thrifty Co-Teacher, and Sherri of The Techie Chick.
Let’s explore these amazing February activities for upper elementary and make this February unforgettable! ππ ”
Tip for Teaching in February: Quick and Easy Wins
February can be a whirlwind of holidays and thematic learning opportunities. My top tip? Always have a stash of no-prep, fun activities ready!
Whether it’s a sudden change in schedule or just one of those days when the class needs something fresh and exciting, these go-to resources are lifesavers.
Let’s make February teaching a breeze with activities that are both enjoyable and educational. π¬οΈβοΈβ¨
20 February Classroom Activities for Upper Elementary:
As we flip our calendars to February, the excitement in the air is palpable! It’s a month brimming with opportunities for learning and celebration in upper elementary classrooms. From honoring historical figures to embracing the festive spirit of Valentine’s Day, there’s no shortage of engaging activities.
In this section, we’ll explore 20 innovative and interactive classroom activities specifically designed for grades 3-6. These activities are not just fun, but they also align with educational objectives to ensure a productive and joyous February in your classroom.
Let’s dive into these February activities for upper elementary and bring some extra sparkle to this special month! ππβ€οΈ
Valentine’s Day Inference Riddles
Engage your students with these heart-warming riddles that not only celebrate Valentine’s Day but also sharpen their inferencing skills. ππ΅οΈββοΈ
Black History Month Activities
Honor and explore the rich history and contributions of African Americans with these thoughtful and informative activities. ππI have a huge list of engaging activities that you can use in your classroom – check it out here.
Winter Bulletin Board Writing Craftivity
Brighten up your classroom with this Cold Hands Warm Hearts craftivity! It is perfect for showcasing your students’ writing skills and creativity. βοΈππ
February Literacy Centers
Spice up your literacy rotations with themed activities that keep reading and writing skills sharp and students engaged. ππ
Presidentβs Day Activities
Celebrate and learn about the leaders of our country with these educational and interactive activities. π©ββοΈ If you want more tips about teaching on President’s Day, then you should check out this blog post!
Valentineβs Day Around the World
Explore how different cultures celebrate Valentineβs Day, fostering global awareness and inclusivity. πβ€οΈ
February Themed Reading Comprehension Activities
Enhance reading skills with activities tailored to the themes of February, engaging students in a variety of texts and discussions. I love using these reading comprehension activities in my classroom!ππ€
Valentine’s Day Math Activities – FREEBIE
Who says math can’t be lovely? Dive into these Valentine-themed math challenges that are sure to win your students’ hearts. β€οΈβ
Create a February Class Newsletter
Let students design and write a class newsletter highlighting the month’s activities and learning. π°π«
Winter Weather Graphing Activities
Use the unpredictable February weather to teach data collection and graphing. βοΈπ
Leap Year Activities
Leap into learning with activities that explore the science and history behind this extra-special day. πΈποΈ You can also check out this blog post with tips on teaching about Leap Year!
Frosty Science Experiments
Bring the wonder of winter inside with simple, engaging science experiments related to cold weather and ice. βοΈπ¬
Historical Figure Biography Projects
In the spirit of Black History Month, students can research and present on historical figures. ππ€ Let them use these biographies to help them explore historical figures!
DIY Presidents’ Day Puppet Show
Let students’ creativity shine by creating president-themed puppets and hosting a historical show. πποΈ
Heart Health Fitness Challenge
Promote wellness with a month-long physical fitness challenge themed around heart health. β€οΈποΈββοΈ
Famous Groundhogs of History
A fun, quirky research project where students learn about groundhogs and their place in cultural lore. πΎπ You can find fun Groundhog Day activities in this February activity pack!
February Activities for Upper Elementary from Other Teachers
Collaboration is the spice of teaching, and this February, we’re bringing a dash of collaborative magic to your classroom! ππ€
Under this special section, I’ve gathered some unique and creative February activity ideas from fellow educators. These are tried-and-true favorites from teachers who know just what it takes to make learning fun and meaningful in upper elementary grades.
Let’s explore these collaborative gems and see how they can add new dimensions of learning and joy to your February curriculum!
Holiday-Themed Activities
In upper elementary, sometimes it feels like students are too old for holiday-themed parties and activities based on the βtoo coolβ attitude they bring into the classroom. But the truth is, theyβre still kids, and they will eat it up. (It may even boost behavior and engagement! Win-win!)
Tiffany from The Learning Effect discovered that 5th and 6th-grade students (yes, even those nearing middle school!) still love holiday-themed activities mixed into their regular practice activities. No matter what grade you teach, your students will enjoy something a little different to practice math skills. One way to do this is with Valentine’s Day themed math mystery pictures and digital pixel art activities.
Any holiday, such as Valentine’s Day, can still be kept educationally relevant while adding in a little seasonal touch. Students solve math problems, and their answers tell them what color to color the mystery picture. The digital version self-checks; when a correct answer is typed in, part of the mystery picture auto-magically appears. Itβs a simple way to keep students learning and engaged during the days leading up to the Valentine’s Day break in February!
Short Stories with Themes of Love
Marissa from Creative Classroom Core thinks that Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to promote love and kindness in the classroom. Incorporating short stories with themes of love into your classroom curriculum can be an enjoyable way to celebrate the occasion and capitalize on the excitement students are already feeling about the holiday.
To discover a full list of engaging short stories for your students this February, visit the Creative Classroom Core blog (and grab some fun Valentine’s Day freebies!)
ELA Valentineβs Day Activities
February gives upper elementary teachers the opportunity to implement a plethora of captivating ELA activities to keep students engaged. Throughout her years in teaching, Cristy from Your Thrifty Co-Teacher has amassed various Valentine’s Day themed ELA activities that seamlessly blend fun and education, aligning with curriculum goals.
From exploring heart-themed idioms and expanding vocabulary to incorporating prepositions in a Cupid’s Arrow activity, these practical and creative ideas are perfect to implement during the month of February by catering to both students’ enjoyment and educational objectives.
Valentine’s Day Themed Activities
As February approaches, finding new ways to keep students engaged in learning can be a bit of a challenge. Incorporating holiday-themed fun, especially with Valentine’s Day festivities that can span the entire month, adds a refreshing focus and excitement to your lesson planning.
Sherri Miller, The Techie Chick, has a fantastic piece of advice: just go with the flow! Instead of trying to resist the allure of special days, join in on the fun. Sherri has shared 14 delightful and interactive Valentine’s Day activities that are sure to inject some creativity into your planning and captivate students, especially during those times when motivation might be taking a dip.
And there you have it! Twenty fantastic February activities for your upper elementary classroom. Each of these activities is designed to be not only fun but also educational, ensuring that your students learn while they celebrate the uniqueness of February.
We encourage you to try these out and watch as your classroom transforms into a hub of excitement and learning.
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Our February Activities Bundle has EVERYTHING you need to make teaching a breeze!
Check out this lifetime growing bundle ππΎ
Happy February teaching! πππ©βπ«
