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5 Holiday Virtual Class Party Ideas

5 Holiday Virtual Class Party Ideas

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Celebrate the winter season with these virtual class party ideas. Of course being in person is amazing, but if that's not possible, there are some fun remote options. Check out these ideas and see which ones will work best for your class.

This video originally aired LIVE on my Facebook Page; Naomi Meredith: The STEMTech Co. 

Come and join in on the fun on Facebook, or watch the recording of this episode.

 

Virtual Class Party Ideas  | Watch the recording down below:

Here are the key takeaways from this episode:

Virtual Class Party Ideas  | Gift Wrap STEM Challenge

This will take a tiny amount of prep before the party date. All students need is wrapping paper, tape, a ruler & a small box. You can also print the Engineering Design Process notebook beforehand or just share digitally; up to you! One possibility is have a pick up station at school a few days before the party with the supplies. Make sure students know to not get into the items before the party.

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In this STEM activity, students will determine the most effective method for wrapping a gift. There are three video tutorials included that students can watch and rewatch to help them wrap their box. Afterwards, they will unwrap the box and make some math calculations such as the area and perimeter of the paper used and pieces of tape.

Set a timer for students to choose their method and wrap their gift. After making their calculations, students can share out their findings using the discussion questions provided.

I used this lesson with my 4th and 5th grade classes and was successful. A lot of kids actually appreciated they knew how to properly wrap with wrapping paper too!

Click here to grab this STEM Challenge for your class!

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Virtual Class Party Ideas  | Virtual Field Trip

There is nothing wrong to having a classroom party being a bit educational. A virtual field trip can be a fun way to explore the world and have a shared experience. Below are some winter themed explorations that would be great for a holiday party.

Virtual Class Party Ideas  | Scavenger Hunt

Get kids up and moving with a scavenger hunt and some competition. Before starting, the teacher will explain the rules and guidelines of the game. For an element of competition, the teacher can split the class up into teams and each team gets a point if every member finds the item. Or, it can be individually scored.

Next, the hunted item is displayed along with a timer. Students have the set amount of time to collect the item and bring it back to the meeting space. Be prepared of lots of laughter and creativity in this game!

Click here for the FREE scavenger hunt slides to use in your class. 

Virtual Class Party Ideas  | Sleigh Makerspace

Like the Gift Wrap Challenge, sending home materials a few days before the party can be helpful. All that is needed for this Sleigh Makerspace challenge is thin cardboard, straws and tape; which can commonly be found at home. While the challenge is to fit as many presents as possible in the sled by using unifix cubes, students can always make presents or fit various small toys they have instead.

 

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As a class, students will learn about sled design and the difference between a sleigh and a sled. Next, students will have time to build their sleigh and make modifications based on the checklist provided.

If possible, create virtual breakout rooms where students can share their sled designs.

Click here to grab this Sleigh Challenge for your class! 

Virtual Class Party Ideas  | Virtual Bingo

Again, games are such a hit at children's parties! Try a virtual game of bingo. There are a few ways this can be delegated to your class depending on their age. When there is a winner, you can always send them a sheet of stickers in the mail, which would be fun to look forward to.

 

  1. Using this Virtual Bingo Card Generator, you can type in your own list of words and it will create 30 different cards that you can send to your class using the provided link. Send this in your party chat box when ready to play.

2. This website also allows you to create a custom board or search through ones already created. Picture versions are included. You can only download 8 different boards, so there will be a few winners at the same time.

Consider sending the individual boards to students using Seesaw, Schoology, Google Classroom or the LMS your school uses.

3. Have students create their own boards! Model how to draw a grid and provide a word bank for students. They can fill in each of the spots by drawing and/or labeling.

 

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Virtual Class Party Ideas  | Holidays Around the World, Rotating Rooms

Have a team that you love planning with? When I taught 2nd grade my first couple years of teaching, this an idea we used while teaching in person. Try rotating rooms, virtual style. Benefits to this is the teacher only has only activity to worry about and switches into the Zoom code, which the kids stay where they are. It's a nice change to meet with other kids and also make your experience amazing since it's the only one you're teaching.

The above activities can be hosted in each of the rooms or even a Holidays Around the World Experience could be meaningful.

Each teacher would teach about a different holiday from around the world. This can be done by:

  • short video clip
  • reading a story about the holiday (there are many options on Epic! Books)
  • playing a game as a class from the holiday
  • participating in a short craft or directed drawing experience

This graphic organizer can be a way for students to keep track of their learning through this cultural experience. There are printable and digital options.

Click here to grab the graphic organizer for your class! 

Other blog posts you might enjoy:

 

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What questions do you have about these activities? Have any other ideas to share? Feel free to direct message me on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ and I would love to chat with you!

TECH TOOLS: 5 EASY WAYS TO INTEGRATE AUGMENTED & VIRTUAL REALITY IN THE CLASSROOM


AR (Augmented Reality) and VR (Virtual Reality) are unique ways for students to learn and access information. As this technology is becoming increasingly popular, students need to learn how to use these types of outputs and comprehend the information. Let's explore ways that you can easily integrate these tools into your instruction.



What is the difference between Augmented and Virtual Reality?




Augmented Reality = Computer-images added and shown in your real world
Example: Snapchat Filters

Virtual Reality= Computer environment that creates a realistic experience that makes you feel like you are in a different place
Example: Google Cardboard Virtual Reality Goggles w/ use of a VR app 


Now that you know the difference between the two, let's explore the different ways that you can get started to use them!




#1- Build Background Knowledge

Before diving into a new topic, it’s important to activate and build students’ background knowledge to increase their engagement. You probably have your go-to’s like I do: Brainpop, Discovery Education video clips or various books.


With the use of an AR/VR app, you can create an almost 3D experience for students to grasp on to and support the work you are about to do in your class. Want all kids to explore the inside of the alarm clock before diving into a telling time lesson? Well, you definitely can with specific AR apps, like JIG. (And you don’t have to go out and find 30 alarm clocks either!)



#2- Learn problem solving through a new tool


Technology is always, and will be changing. I am a huge believer in that no matter what tech tool students are introduced to, they need to be able to logically problem solve how to use it and what to do when a problem arises. {I even created an anchor chart for students to refer to when solving these problems that you can download for yourself here.

Since new AR & VR apps are being constantly created and updated, there are bound to be glitches. This is a great opportunity for students to attack these issues and learn how to adapt to them.




#3-Collaboration

When we had Google Expeditions come pilot their app at our school, my students had a “hands-on” experience about landforms that brought so much excitement!

Google brought in the devices, but students had to work in pairs while sharing one device. As a class, we had a few guidelines that we ALL needed to follow. Then, each group came up with their own set of rules for taking turns and for viewing the scenes.


While I didn’t formally didn’t asses collaboration during this task, this could have been a great opportunity to do so!



#4- Research


Finding information is very easy to do in today’s world. Have you ever thought of using AR & VR as another resource to gain information?


I found these VR headsets at Walmart for $5! Of course, I bought one in my favorite color. 


While there are many playful apps that can be useful when utilizing a makerspace, there are also many nonfiction apps that can be helpful as well. DISCOVERY VR and GOOGLE CARDBOARD have many real-life, 360* that can make fact finding exciting.




#5- In-House Field Trips


Field trips can be expensive and a lot of work for the teacher! But they don’t have to be with the use of GOOGLE EXPEDITIONS. Pick a destination you want your class to “go-to”, be the tour guide and have kids connect to your expedition. Now you are in control how long students can be in each section and can pause all their devices at any time.


No need to worry about collecting money, scheduling buses and weather. Bring the field trip to you!


Integrating AR & VR in your classroom doesn’t have to be scary! Trying these tools in your classroom will bring a whole other level of engagement that you and your students will love.


With the use of any of these apps, I created differentiated response sheets for your students to reflect on after exploring. Place these in page protectors and use them over and over again!







How have you used AR & VR in your classroom? Let me know and send me a message on Instagram @marvelousmsm

Stay marvelous!


Naomi from Marvelous Ms. Meredith