Hooray for the 100th day!
We had ours yesterday.
Or, to be exact, we made yesterday be the 100th day. We’re pretty sure it was really today, but Wednesdays are early dismissal days which means it’s the perfect time to get the kids all riled up and hopped up on sugary fruit loop necklaces.
Oh? You were spinning in a circle and then you fell down? Well, the bell rang! See you tomorrow!
We’re thinkers at my school.
I told my teammates how I always prep the fruit loops necklaces and while one knew all about it (I got her onto it a couple of years ago), my other teammie had no idea and thought I was a genius.
I say that humbly.
But if enough people agree . . .
Anyway . . . 😉
If you haven’t had your 100th day yet, maybe this will work for you. And if you already had yours, well more power to you – you’re practically on summer vacation, you lucky duck, I really don’t like you anymore.
I used to cut the string (I have a sample one that I keep from year to year that fits 100 fruit loops) and then I would tape off the ends.
I should rephrase the I prep it sentence and say I have a parent volunteer prep it at home.
But then the kids would string their fruit loops and they would fall right off.
Right off, I said. Onto the dirty carpet.
So then I got smart and taped only one end, but then tied off the other end with a fruit loop so it had a stopper (or an anchor or whatever).
I thought I was so smart back then.
BUT THEN, all of the strings would get tangled before I could even start passing them out so I spent the majority of the time telling the kids to eat their fruit loops while I tried to untangle 32 strings. By the time everything was untangled, all we had left was kids strung out on sugar and no more fruit loops with which to make a necklace.
It was a problem.
AND THEN.
THE END ALL, BE ALL, THIS HAS BEEN THE BEST THING EVER SO GET READY IDEA CAME INTO MY BRAIN.
MAYBE YOU SHOULD SIT DOWN.
I still have a volunteer measure the string, tape off one end, and tie a fruit loop to the other end. That has stayed the same. Although, my teammate used curling ribbon for her string yesterday, and I am so doing that next year. That eliminates taping off one end. I just keep using this one roll of kite string that I have magically never run out of from year to year . . .
Then, you fill up a baggie with fruit loops (no counting – just a bunch) and you put the string inside.
YOU PUT THE STRING INSIDE THE BAGGIE.
YOU PUT THE STRING INSIDE THE BAGGIE WITH THE FRUIT LOOPS.
I KNOW!
When it’s time to start the necklaces, you just put a baggie on each desk.
Everything they need is inside!
AND THE BEST PART?
THE KIDS HAVE A BAGGIE IF THEY DON’T FINISH THEIR NECKLACE!
YES!
I KNOW!
My kids used mats to sort ten fruit loops into ten circles to be sure they had 100 before starting. I’m sure that’s how you do it, too. They were allowed to eat broken ones, ones that were stuck together, and any that they could sneak without me seeing. 🙂 If they had left overs in their bag, they got to keep them. If they needed more (no one did – my volunteer did a great job), then I had a left over stash for re-fills.
If you need a mat, you can get mine {HERE}. It is not fancy. I don’t laminate them. I make a set of copies each year since they get so sugary and dusty and some kids lick them.
Really.
So we just throw them away at the end.
So there you go.
That’s my tip.
That’s all I’ve got.
Well, I also have left over fruit loops for munching on during the school day which is a huge bonus and the number one reason I love the 100th day.
🙂
PS Next year, we’re talking about having a 120th day instead. We are so Common Core. 😉
I love your new idea! I put a longer piece of masking tape at one end and write the kids' names on them. 🙂 That way there is no accidental switching after their grubby (I mean…adorable and very clean) hands have been all over them! 😉
We used to tape the end of the string to the table. . .so you had to stay "near" your seat. . . but I think I like your idea about tying a fruit loop to the end. I also think I like the 120 idea better. . .let's delay the party to hit right after Rodeo Day (I know you are jealous that we have THAT holiday)
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So smart… You just blew my mind. I used to give bowls to each table and then hand out baggies to those that were not done. Never again. 😉
Amanda
First Grade Garden
I tie a fruit loop on the end and then tape it to the desk. We have the kids string the cereal in groups of 10 of the same color so they can count it back to us when they're done!
Our 100th day is next Friday and I was just planning our activities tonight. So going to do this. Thanks for the great tip! I know it will make my aide's and my life much less hectic on 100th day!
Amanda
Mrs. Pauley’s Kindergarten
We celebrated our 100th day yesterday, too. We had so much fun. I love that celebrating the 100th day rejuvenates the kids and staff! 70 more school days for the kiddos, 75 for teachers. I love it when we get to this stage–they really take off in reading. It's exhilarating!
One of our favorite things to do is have our kiddos dress up like they're 100 years old. It's hilarious!
You should really win some sort of award for that one. GENIUS! Our 100th day is Feb. 10th… we will be going to school forever in the summer… XOX
I love doing fruit loop necklaces on the 100th day! Putting the string in the bag is genius! I have my kiddos put a lifesaver gummy every 10th "bead" so they can count by 10s when they are done.
I am so loving the curly ribbon idea if you really don't have to tape off the ends! That would be awesome!
I am loving this way of organizing the necklace production. Our 100th day is 2 weeks away and I already have my Fruit Loops! Thanks so much!
Ok, we are trying the 120th day this year- will have to let you know how it goes. The kids were a little confused when we hit the 100th day, but we explained, "Oh celebrating the 100th day is SO KINDERGARTEN." They giggled and so now I have to figure out what the heck I am going to do for 120th day. I always did the fruit loop necklace station, too, but the thought of trying to manage 120 fruit loops made my head hurt. But now with your fabulous baggie idea, I might be brave enough to try it! Thanks for the great inspiration. Why have I never thought of that?
Stephanie
First Grade Bangs
I used two pipe cleaners or chenille stems twisted together this year. Worked like a dream. No sliding off or taping. Kids just slide them on and we twisted the other ends to finish the necklace. No crying this year!!
Great activity! My kiddos loved it! We saved the baggies to send home the completed necklaces.