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Banner graphic reading “Potato Head Grass Experiment” featuring preschoolers’ potato grass seed projects in plastic cups on a green tray, alongside materials used for the hands-on science activity at Temple Emanuel ECC.

100th Day of School: 🎉 Counting to 100 in Our ECC Class

This week, our Mighty Oaks (ages 4–5) celebrated the 100th Day of School with a joyful, hands-on math activity that turned counting into a colorful, creative adventure! Through a special project using 100 different items arranged into ten groups of ten, the children practiced early mathematical thinking—grouping, counting, and recognizing patterns—all while expressing their artistic sides. The room buzzed with excitement as little hands carefully glued, organized, and tallied their way to one hundred, marking a fun milestone in our year of learning and growth.

🌿 What We Used

Poster board
Ten long paper strips (to form ten columns)
Ten sets of small items (ten of each, for a total of one hundred)
Quick-dry glue

✂️ What We Did

First, we prepared our poster boards and helped the children arrange ten long strips across each one to create ten columns.

Next, each group selected ten different kinds of small items—such as buttons, pom-poms, beads, stickers, or pasta—to represent their sets of ten.

Once all the materials were ready, the children began the creative process of gluing their items neatly along each column, carefully counting as they went.

Across two separate days of work, our little mathematicians checked their totals, compared patterns, and took pride in watching each board come to life with all one hundred items proudly displayed!

🧠 Skills We Practiced

This hands-on counting activity supported several important areas of early learning:

  • Mathematical understanding through grouping, counting, and recognizing quantities.

  • Fine-motor skills while placing and gluing each small object with focus and control.

  • Pattern recognition and organization as children arranged different materials into clear columns.

  • Patience and perseverance by staying engaged over two work sessions to complete a long-term project.

  • Collaboration and communication through shared ideas, teamwork, and encouragement among peers.

🌞 Reflections

The Mighty Oaks were challenged, excited, and creatively busy as they counted and crafted their way to 100! The project reminded us of the importance of preparation and pacing—spreading the activity over two days allowed students to stay focused and take ownership of their work. Seeing their posters proudly displayed brought huge smiles all around and a shared sense of accomplishment.

The 100th Day of School celebration not only reinforced math skills but also highlighted perseverance, teamwork, and the joy of learning together—one count at a time.