10 Fun Easter Activities for the Upper Elementary Classroom

Easter is the perfect time to bring some fun and engaging ideas into your classroom.  Here are 10 classroom activities for Easter that are appropriate for 3rd-5th graders.

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1. Reading: Easter Egg Hunt for Synonyms

Turn your classroom into a treasure hunt for synonyms.  Hide plastic Easter eggs with pairs of synonym words written on small pieces of paper inside.  Have students work in pairs or small groups to search for eggs, open them, and match the synonym pairs.  

2. Math: Easter Color by Number Math Facts

Print out these color by number math facts worksheets with Easter-themed pictures including: the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs.  Students can solve the math problems to determine the color for each section of the picture and color it accordingly.  This activity will help students practice their math facts while creating a colorful Easter masterpiece.

Easter Addition Color by Number

Easter Multiplication Color by Number

 3. Language Arts: Easter Story Writing

Have students write their own Easter stories.  They can include characters, settings, and events related to Easter, and incorporate descriptive language and dialogue to make their stories engaging.  Provide Easter-themed writing prompts or story starters to help students get started.

4. Science: Egg Drop Experiment

Challenge students to design and build a container that can protect and egg from cracking when dropped from a predetermined height.  Provide materials such as straws, tape, cotton balls, and other household items for students to use. Once the containers are built, students can test their designs by dropping them from a height and observing the results.

5. Social Studies: Easter Traditions Around the World

Explore how Easter is celebrated in different countries around the world.  Have students research and create presentations including customs, foods, and decorations.  They can also compare and contrast the similarities and differences in Easter traditions across different cultures.

6. Art: Easter-themed Arts and Crafts

Get creative with Easter-themed arts and crafts! Provide materials such as construction paper, scissors, glue, markers and other craft supplies.  Students can create Easter cards, decorate Easter eggs, make Easter-themed bookmarks, or create their own Easter-themed artwork.

7. Reading: Easter-themed Book Clubs

Choose an Easter-themed book suitable for your students and organize a book club activity.  Assign chapters for students to read independently or in small groups, and then hold discussions on the plot, characters, and themes of the book. I like to use these roll and retell cards for this.

I also have a list of Easter read alouds here.

8. Math: Easter Egg Math Facts

Create a fun math activity by hiding plastic Easter eggs around the classroom or outdoor area.  Inside each egg, place a math fact problem.  Students can hunt for the eggs, solve the math problems, and record their answers on a worksheet.  You can also use any math problem types that you are currently working on.

9. Language Arts: Easter-themed Word Search

Have your students complete and Easter-themed word search puzzle like this one.

10. Science: Egg-celent Egg Experiments

Eggs are a stable of Easter traditions, so why not incorporate some egg-themed science experiments? You can conduct various experiments, such as dissolving the eggshell in vinegar to reveal the membrane, testing the strength of eggshells under different conditions, or observing how eggs float or sink in different liquids.

Easter Read Alouds for Your Classroom

Easter is coming up soon! I have some fun Easter Read Alouds to suggest along with some teaching ideas to help you get started.

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.  

The Easter Egg by Jan Brett

The Easter Egg tells the story of Hoppi the bunny, who wants to create the best Easter egg ever so that he can help the Easter Bunny deliver eggs on Easter morning.  He becomes discouraged and goes off into the forest where he finds a blue robin's egg that has tumbled out of its nest. He keeps it safe and warm until it hatches.  The Easter Bunny declares that hatched egg the winner to reward Hoppi for his kindness.

Teaching Ideas:

Reading:

As you read the story aloud to your students, ask them to pay attention to the beautiful illustrations and how they contribute to the story.

Character Traits - Discuss Hoppi and his character traits. Ask students why these traits are important to the story.

What lesson do you think Hoppi learned from his experience, and how can this help us in our own lives?

Writing:

Have students write a persuasive letter to the Easter Bunny convincing him why he should choose Hoppi's Egg as the winner. You might even have them write this before you finish reading.

Rechenka's Eggs by Patricia Polacco

The story of Rechenka's Eggs centers around Babushka, who is well known for her exceptional painted eggs that consistently win at the Easter Festival in Moskva.

One day, a goose falls from the sky after being shot by a hunter. Babushka cares for the wounded goose and names her Rechenka.  To thank Babushka, Rechenka starts laying eggs each morning for breakfast.

One day, Rechenka accidentally destroys Babushka's painstakingly painted eggs for the Easter Festival. But, the next morning, Babushka wakes up to an amazing surprise!

Teaching Ideas:

Math:

Have students create paper egg designs using geometric shapes.  Have them identify the different properties of each shape. You can print out free egg patterns here.

Science:

Have students research the impact of pollution on wildlife, particularly on birds and their habitats.

How to Catch the Easter Bunny by Adam Wallace

We all know about finding the fun and delicious Easter Eggs the Easter Bunny hides, but have you ever thought about catching that elusive fellow himself?

That's exactly what this book is about! 

Teaching Ideas:

Writing:

Have students write their own "How to Catch the Easter Bunny" stories following the structure of the book and incorporating their own ideas for catching the elusive bunny.

Grammar:

Focus on specific grammar concepts found in the book such as verbs, adjectives, or adverbs and have the students identify them.

Steam:

Have students create Easter Bunny "traps" and explain how they would work to catch the Easter Bunny.

The Night Before Easter By Natasha Wing

This book follows the pattern of the Night Before Christmas, only this time it is the Easter Bunny who takes center stage. "Twas the night before Easter, just before dawn; not a creature was stirring out on the lawn."

Teaching Ideas:

Reading:

Show students the cover of the book and have them make predictions about what they think the story will be about.  Revisit their predictions as you read.

Science:

Have students create a protective covering that will keep a raw egg from dropping when it is dropped from a predetermined height.

More Easter Activities

If you are looking for more Easter Activities for your classroom, I have these resources available in my Teachers pay Teachers store.

Easter Addition Color by Number

Easter Multiplication Color by Number

Easter Bunny Area and Perimeter project

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6 Fun and Educational Passover Activities for the Classroom

As the Passover holiday approaches, it's a great time to teach your students about this important Jewish celebration.  Here are some fun and engaging ideas for incorporating Passover into your lesson plans!

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.  

Passover Reading

There are many wonderful children's books about Passover, which can help your students understand the meaning and significance of the holiday.  The Passover Lamb by Linda Elovitz Marshall is a great choice for younger students, while The Story of Passover by David A. Adler is a more detailed and comprehensive overview for older students.  Have your students read these books and create a book report or a poster summarizing the story of Passover.

I have a list of my favorite Passover read alouds here.

Passover Math Activities

Incorporating math into your Passover lessons is easy!  Have your students practice multiplication by creating "Passover plates". 

Provide each student with a paper plate and have them draw on different Passover symbols such as hardboiled eggs, matzo, and bitter herbs. 

You can also print out these free Printable Passover Seder Plate pieces from Darcy Miller.

Education.com also has a great printable Seder plate.

Then, have them multiply the number of each symbol on their plate by a certain number.  For example, of they have 3 matzos, they might multiply 3X2, since matzos are traditionally eaten for 2 nights.  This activity reinforces math skills while also teaching about the traditional foods and symbols of Passover.

Passover Art

Provide your students with art supplies and have them create their own Passover-themed artwork.  They can draw or paint the Seder plate, the Ten Plagues, or scenes from the Passover story.

Passover Social Studies

Passover is an important part of Jewish history and culture.  Have your students research the history of Passover and its significance to the Jewish people.  Discuss the symbolism of the Seder plate and what each item represents.

You can have a a Passover Symbols Scavenger Hunt by hiding various Passover symbols around the classroom, and providing cluses for your students to find them.  Symbols can include the Seder plate, matzo, bitter herbs, and more.

Passover Timeline:

Have your students create a timeline of the Passover story, including the events leading up to the Exodus and the journey to the Promised Land.  They can illustrate each event and write a brief summary.

Passover Writing

Have your students research and compile a recipe book of traditional Passover dishes.  Encourage them to include recipes from different regions, and have them write a brief description of the significance of each dish.

Passover is a great opportunity to teach your students about history, culture, and traditions.  These activities will engage your students and help them understand the significance of this holiday.

5 Engaging Passover Read Alouds for Upper Elementary Students

On Passover, Jewish people all over the world celebrate their freedom from slavery and their beginnings as a great nation. With Passover fast approaching, it's the perfect time to start thinking about read aloud books to share with your students.  Not only can these books teach about the traditions and history of Passover, but they can also promote empathy and understanding of different cultures and religions.

Hers are some great Passover read aloud book for 3rd-5th graders, along with some teaching ideas to enhance your lesson plans.

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.  

The Passover Guest by Susan Kusel

This heartwarming story follows a family during the Spring of 1933 in Washington D.C. The Great Depression is hitting Muriel's family hard.  Like many other men in the country, her father has lost his job, and the family barely has enough food most days - let alone for a Passover Seder.

Since she doesn't think she has a feast to rush home to, Muriel wanders by the Lincoln Memorial where she encounters a mysterious magician.  After she makes a kind gesture, he encourages her to run home for Seder.  When she arrives home, she encounters a holiday miracle: a bountiful feast of brisket, soup, and matzah, enough for their whole community to share.

How did this happen?

Teaching Ideas

After Reading

Discuss the importance of hospitality and kindness, and how it relates to the holiday of Passover.

Social Studies

Use the book as a starting point for discussing the historical context of the Great Depression and how it impacted families in the United States.

Math

Have students practice measure ingredients for a Passover recipe such as charoset or matzah ball soup.

The Yankee at the Seder by Elka Weber

This book tells the true story about a Jewish Yankee soldier who joins a Southern family's Passover meal during the Civil War. Gathered around the seder table, the group discusses what it means to be free - a subject that is just as relevant today as it was during the Civil War and during the Exodus that Passover commemorates.

Teaching Ideas

Social Studies

Use the book as a starting point for discussing the historical context of the Civil War and how it impacted different regions of the country.

Reading

Explore two of the book's themes - acceptance and forgiveness, and how they relate to the holiday of Passover.

Math

Have students calculate the distance between different cities during the Civil War.

The Story of Passover by David A. Adler

This informative and engaging book tells the history of the Passover holiday, from its origins in ancient Egypt to modern-day celebrations. Passover commemorates Moses leading his people out of slavery in Egypt.  This book recounts the major events of the story, in kid friendly language, from Jacob settling in Egypt to the miraculous parting of the Red Sea.

The text and images have been vetted by a rabbinical authority, and includes notes about the modern Passover celebration, the Seder, and how the different parts of the meal symbolize elements of the story.

Teaching Ideas

Social Studies

Use the book to introduce or reinforce the historical context of Passover and how it relates to Jewish culture and history.

Have students research and present on a different holiday that has historical significance.

The Passover Mouse by Joy Nelkin Wieder

In the Jewish tradition, families clean their homes of leavened bread right before Passover.  In this story, a little mouse disrupts the town's preparations for the holiday when it steals a piece of leavened bread - or chometz, and tears through the town, spoiling everyone's hard work. Just when it seems as if the townsfolk will never be ready for their Seder, the little mouse's actions bring everyone together to work as a group to save the holiday.

Teaching Ideas

Reading

Story Elements: Have students identify the story elements such as characters, setting, problem, and solution.

Making Predictions: Stop at various points throughout the story and have students make predictions about what might happen next.

Compare and Contrast: Compare and contrast The Passover Mouse to other books about Passover or books with similar themes.

Vocabulary: Introduce new vocabulary from the story such as "matzah", "seder", "afikomen", and "Haggadah". Have students write definition and use them in a sentence.

Holidays Around the World: Celebrate Passover: With Matzah, Maror, and Memories by Deborah Heiligman

This colorful book explores the many forms that the weeklong celebrations of Passover takes worldwide. Alongside beautiful photographs, the author details the long lavish meals called seders, at which the Exodus is recalled in ritual, prayer, song, and story. The historical significance of the food at the Passover feasts is explained alongside recipes that encourage readers to try them on their own.

Teaching Ideas

Math

Have students create a bar graph or pie chart showing the different foods eaten during a Passover Seder.

Writing

Have students write a letter to a friend or family member, explaining the significance of Passover and the traditions observed during the holiday.

Passover is a meaningful holiday for Jewish people all over the world. By incorporating these read alouds into your classroom, you can help students gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for  the importance of Passover in Jewish culture and history.

What are your favorite Passover Read Alouds?

Want to save these book titles for later? Just pin the image below.

More Passover Activities

If you are looking for more Passover activities to use in your classroom, check out this blog post.

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Teach Area and Perimeter with a Fun Easter Bunny Craft

Are you looking for a fun and engaging way to teach your students about area and perimeter?  Look no further than this adorable Easter Bunny area and perimeter craft!

This post contains affiliate links. I earn a small commission each time someone makes a purchase using one of my links, which helps to support the blog.  All opinions are my own and I only promote brands and products that I have used myself and truly love.  

The activity itself is simple - each student will create a unique Easter bunny based on the area and perimeter measurements provided on their card.  The end result is a classroom full of adorable paper rabbits!

There are two versions included allowing students to either draw directly on graph paper or cut out pieces from graph paper, color them, and glue them to construction paper.

This Easter Bunny Craft is perfect for the end of your area and perimeter unit or as a review before standardized testing.  With differentiated options, you can choose the best card for each student ensuring that everyone is engaged and challenged at their own level.

In addition to the Easter Bunny craft, this resource also includes two anchor charts (one for area and one for perimeter), 24 full-color task cards, and 24 black and white task cards.  With clear teacher and student directions, you'll have everything you need to make this activity a success in your classroom.

Why is this activity so effective for teaching area and perimeter?  

For one, it's hands-on and creative, giving students the opportunity to apply what they've learned in a fun and engaging way.  

Secondly, it allows for differentiation, so each student can work at their own level and be challenged appropriately. 

And finally, it aligns with Common Core Standards, ensuring that your students are meeting important benchmarks in their math education.

So, if you are looking for a way to make area and perimeter more engaging, hop on over to my TpT store and start creating some adorable paper rabbits today!

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