Birthdays are so special to students! So celebrate in a fun way!

How to Start Birthday Celebrations

First, kiddos decorate a birthday crown. I have everyone do this at the beginning of the year. Then I put them in order by birthday so they are ready to go on the special day.

Math Birthday Celebration Idea

After that, I create a birthday graph that I display for easy reference throughout the year. If you teach primary, you know how many times you are asked when a student has a birthday (usually on someone else’s birthday) because the kiddos don’t remember; this graph helps! After printing and laminating the graph, I place the initials of the kiddos and date in the correct column with a wipe off marker.

On the Special Day

On the special day, the child wears the crown and reads the It’s Your Birthday book. We read it chorally as a class and/or partner read….then a black and white copy is taken home by the birthday child to keep. Be sure to copy all of the books and placed them with the crowns. Click  to grab the book.

Of course, I also give out a Birthday Certificate. ⬅Click to claim free certificates that I fill out at the beginning of the year, and I place the certificates with the birthday books and crowns. After that, I let the kiddos pick a prize from the prize box instead of providing a gift. Without a doubt, you could also attach a birthday pencil or mini bubbles if you don’t have a prize box.

Free Birthday Certificates

Dancing Birthday Celebration

During the day, love to have the kiddos do a birthday dance to build gross motor skills. I use the “Birthday Hoorray” by Koo Koo

Before dancing review:

• How old are you?
• What’s your favorite reptile?
• What’s your favorite food?
• What’s your pet onion’s name? (This really makes them laugh!)

Birthday Echo Poem

Then we do a fun echo poem! Echo poems build short term memory and listening skills with the  intension of helping ADHD issues! Check out Brain Research to Help Learning for more ideas!

This is such a special, fun time in the classroom.  It also provides a great opportunity to observe the students that can repeat, count, and focus!

If you are interested in these resources, you can find them here:

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