Spirit Ideas & Themes for Elementary School
Elementary-age students like to show their school spirit, even if the school doesn't have a football or basketball team. Spirit Days should be sprinkled throughout the school year and added to the school-wide monthly calendar, so students and their families have advance notice of each pending day. Avoid choosing dates right before holidays or standardized testing, as well as on school picture day or when field trips are planned.
At the Hop
Go back in time for this spirit day: poodle skirts, bobby socks and ponytails or leather jackets, rolled jeans and slicked-back hair. Elvis music during lunch and limbo and hula-hoop contests at recess complete the '50s feel.
Character Day
Students and teachers dress up as their favorite book character, and bring a book in that features the character. Older students should be prepared to answer questions--in character--for the day. Alternatively, entire classes could come as characters from fairy tales or from books of prolific and beloved authors, such as Dr. Seuss or Roald Dahl.
It's a Luau
Flowers and leis are on display during a Hawaiian-themed spirit day. As an art project several weeks before the luau, students can make paper flower leis, so no one goes without. Hawaiian music should play during free periods, and Hawaii's fruits and other foods (Spam optional) serve as a mini-buffet in class.
Pioneer Day/Cowboy Up
From Laura Ingalls to Roy Rogers, there's plenty of room for creativity in a pioneer or cowboy-related theme. Some twangy banjo songs or fiddle music playing in the background and food cooked on the grill bring this spirit day to life.
Go Green
Participation in a spirit week theme centered around Earth Day, which falls on April 22 each year, can go in any direction. Children can wear or create a slogan T-shirt, bring in trash or recyclables, participate in a playground or park cleanup, or present a lesson to their classmates about "green" energy choices.
Game Day
This idea works best when planned in advance, so students who don't have a favorite game or feel shy teaching others can sign up with a "game host" and learn to play. Teachers can focus the games around a theme (math-based, card games, outdoor games) or let the kids go in whatever direction they wish.
Slumber Party
Pajamas, slippers, hot cocoa, a soft blanket and your favorite stuffed animal make this spirit day a cozy one. Encourage children (and parents) to bring in a favorite book to share. With the blinds closed and the lights dim, students choose a spot on the floor to rest, while an adult or older student reads aloud "The Polar Express," by Chris Van Allsburg or Margery Williams' "The Velveteen Rabbit," or kids can take turns reading their favorite bedtime stories.
Wacky Days
Changing your look without makeup or costumes is a creative challenge that garners laughs and surprises. Spirit days revolving around Bad Hair, Mismatched Clothing, Backwards and Twins themes require little to no financial investment but make one-of-a-kind photos for a yearbook or bulletin board.
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