Springtime is a wonderful time of year for teachers and students alike! As the days become warmer and the flowers start to bloom, it’s easy to get distracted by all of the beauty around us. But what better way to make use of this fresh season than with fun classroom activities? This article will discuss five April classroom activities that will help you and your students enjoy the new season while providing an educational experience.

APRIL FOOL’S DAY

This is a fun holiday, but it is important to explain to your students to not take it too far or hurt others’ feelings.

My favorite April’s Day prank in the classroom was when I taught 5th grade. We just got done with testing the week before. I told them that downtown had spilled coffee on all of their tests. Then I told them that we are going to have to take the tests over again. Don’t worry, I did not let the anxiety last very long. Just a few minutes later I said, “April Fools!”

When I moved down to the lower grades, I created a word search for my students that was impossible to solve. You can find that worksheet in this no-prep packet.

Get creative and have fun on this holiday.

EASTER AND SPRING

As the weather gets warmer and Easter approaches, it can be a fun time to celebrate in the classroom. Incorporating themes of nature, renewal, and growth can be a great way to tie in both Easter and spring. Here are some ideas for celebrating the season in your classroom:

1. Planting seeds: Consider having students plant seeds in pots or even outside if you have access to a garden area. Watching plants grow over time can be a fun way to teach kids about growth and development.
2. Decorating eggs: Whether you use dyes or stickers, decorating eggs is a classic Easter activity that can also be used as an art project.
3. Reading stories: There are plenty of children’s books that focus on Easter or spring themes, such as “The Tale of Peter Rabbit” or “The Tiny Seed”. You could even have students write their own stories inspired by these themes.

Some years we celebrate Easter in March and sometimes in April. I have provided Easter and spring ideas in my March blog. You can read more about these activities here.

TAXES

Taxes are not fun, but it is important to teach about taxes. Let’s face it, they are not going away.

Teaching about taxes in the elementary classroom can be a valuable lesson for students. These young learners are already aware of the various ways money is spent, but learning how taxes contribute to their community is an important civic concept. Incorporating lessons on taxes can also help children understand why their parents and other adults have to work so hard to earn a living.

One way teachers can introduce the concept of taxes is by using real-life examples that are relatable to kids. For example, teachers could explain that when we buy a toy or candy bar, we pay sales tax which goes towards things like funding schools and maintaining parks. Another approach could be providing students with a hypothetical scenario where they must decide what percentage of their “income” should go towards various public services such as police, fire department, or libraries.

This is a great slide show for explaining taxes in any grade.

Here are some lessons that you can use with your classroom for tax day…

This is a great video that explains taxes.

EARTH DAY

Teaching children about environmental conservation and sustainability is essential in today’s world. Earth Day, celebrated on April 22nd every year, provides an excellent opportunity to introduce these concepts in the classroom. In elementary schools, teachers can incorporate fun and interactive activities that encourage students to learn about the natural world around them.

One idea is to have a nature scavenger hunt where students search for different elements of nature such as rocks, leaves, or flowers. This activity encourages children to explore their surroundings and appreciate the beauty of nature. Additionally, teachers can use this scavenger hunt as a way to teach about recycling by having students collect any litter they come across.

Another activity that works well for younger elementary school kids is planting seeds or saplings in small pots. This hands-on approach allows kids to experience firsthand how plants grow while learning about their importance in our ecosystem.

History of Earth Day. This is a great video that explains how Earth Day came to be.

This is a great Happy Earth Day video. It is a good video to help introduce Earth Day. She talks about endangered animals, recycling, and how important composting is for the environment.

Give each student a grocery bag. Take the students outside with them have them gather trash around campus.

Take this further by sorting the trash into recycle-able items. Glass, paper, and plastic.

Here are some Earth Day activities that I have on TpT.

ARBOR DAY

Arbor Day is a special day that has been set aside to celebrate the importance of trees. It is an excellent opportunity for teachers to educate their students about the role that trees play in our environment and in our lives. In this article, we will explore some creative ways you can teach your elementary students about Arbor Day.

One of the best ways to get your students excited about Arbor Day is by taking them on a nature walk. You can point out different types of trees and explain their unique characteristics. Encourage your students to take notes or draw pictures of what they see. Back in the classroom, you can use these observations as inspiration for art projects or science experiments.

Another great idea is to have a tree-planting ceremony at school. This gives students hands-on experience with planting and caring for trees, while also instilling a sense of environmental responsibility.

Arborday.org is a great website with a ton of resources to teach about Arbor Day

This is a great video to introduce Arbor Day.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion,April classroom activities in the elementary classroom can be a fun and engaging way to get students learning and exploring new topics. With a variety of themes, ranging from nature and Earth-day to Spring and Easter, teachers can easily find activities that are appropriate for their grade level. There are also plenty of online resources available to help them create the perfect activity plan. Furthermore, these activities can help promote positive interaction between the students while they learn interesting facts.