Leprechaun Trap Challenge (STEM): St. Patrick's Day

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Leprechaun Trap Challenge (STEM) Instructions: Build a trap to catch a leprechaun using everyday materials. Follow the design process below! Objective: Encourage creativity, engineering skills, and problem-solving by designing a functional trap that could catch a mischievous leprechaun. Planning Sheet: Materials List: What will you use? (e.g., paper, string, tape, cardboard, LEGOs, pipe cleaners, cups, paper towel rolls, craft sticks, aluminum foil, etc.) Sketch Your Design: Draw how your trap will work, labeling key parts and mechanisms. Trap Mechanism: How will your trap trigger when the leprechaun enters? Will it use a pulley, lever, or hidden entrance? Will you include bait like gold coins, glitter, or candy? Building Phase: Work on assembling your trap using the selected materials. Testing & Improvements: Try triggering the trap multiple times. Identify any weaknesses and refine the design. Reflection Questions: What was the most challenging part of building the trap? What ...
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Engaging Christmas-Themed Classroom Activities

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 Here are some engaging Christmas-themed classroom activities that cater to various age groups and skill levels.

Activities for All Levels  

Christmas Scavenger Hunt  

Hide Christmas-related items or clues around the classroom. Create riddles or hints to guide students to the next clue.  

Holiday-Themed STEM Challenge  

Task students with building the tallest Christmas tree using only cups or designing a sleigh that can hold the most weight.  

Christmas Charades or Pictionary  

Use Christmas-themed words (e.g., "snowman," "reindeer," "sled") for students to act out or draw.  

Holiday Word Search or Crossword  

   Create puzzles with Christmas-related vocabulary.  

Festive Kahoot Quiz  

   Make a Kahoot quiz with Christmas facts, songs, and fun traditions to engage students digitally.  

For Younger Students (Preschool & Early Elementary)  

Christmas Craft Station  

   Set up a craft station where students make ornaments, cards, or paper snowflakes. Provide materials like glitter, markers, and colored paper.  

Pin the Star on the Tree  

   A festive twist on "Pin the Tail on the Donkey," blindfold students and have them try to place a star on a paper Christmas tree.  

Holiday Storytime  

   Read a Christmas-themed story like The Polar Express or How the Grinch Stole Christmas and have students discuss or draw their favorite part.  

Christmas Bingo  

   Create bingo cards with Christmas-related images (Santa, reindeer, gifts). Use holiday candies as markers for extra fun!  

Sing-Along and Dance  

   Play popular Christmas songs like Jingle Bells and organize a mini karaoke or dance session.  

For Middle School Students  

Christmas Around the World Research  

   Assign small groups to research how Christmas is celebrated in different countries and present their findings with visuals.  

Holiday Escape Room  

   Create a Christmas-themed escape room with clues and puzzles (e.g., finding Santa's missing hat).  

Decorate the Classroom  

   Let students create paper chains, garlands, or snowmen to transform the classroom into a winter wonderland.  

Christmas Mad Libs  

   Provide Christmas-themed Mad Libs for a hilarious grammar and creative writing activity.  

Cookie Decorating Contest  

   Bring plain cookies and decorating supplies. Students can create Christmas-themed designs, and everyone gets to eat their creation!  

For High School Students  

Christmas Movie Debate  

   Host a debate about the best Christmas movie of all time. Let students defend classics like Home Alone, Elf, or The Grinch.  

Holiday Trivia Game  

   Divide the class into teams and play a Christmas trivia game, including questions about traditions, songs, and history.  

Secret Santa Gift Exchange  

   Organize a Secret Santa activity with a small spending limit or homemade gifts.  

Christmas Poetry Slam  

   Challenge students to write and perform Christmas or winter-themed poems.  

Service Project  

   Collaborate on a project like writing holiday cards for seniors or creating care packages for those in need.  



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