SCHOOL CELEBRATION TEACHES VALUE OF 100 TO STUDENTS

The number 100 will get top billing today among new counters in Cape Girardeau public schools.

Kindergarten and first grade classes throughout the school district will celebrate the 100th day of school today with games, activities and food. Clippard Elementary School also will sponsor an evening event for its students and their parents to commemorate the special day.

Teachers said the 100th day of school is important because it represents a milestone for students, many of whom are just learning the value of 100. The number is abstract for new counters, but the celebration activities help them to understand its value, they said.

"It's a big milestone for students, especially in kindergarten, because it's the first day with three digits," said Dawn Eichholz, a kindergarten teacher at Clippard Elementary School. "It's a number that's huge to a kindergartner, and when they realize they've been here 100 days and start counting to 100, they can see how much they've learned."

Students at most schools were asked to bring 100 items to class today. While most children will stick to items like building blocks, Cheerios and hard candy, others will get very creative in what they bring to class, teachers said.

"This is supposed to be fun, so we want the kids to really be creative with the items they bring," said Sharon Shaw, a kindergarten teacher at Alma Schrader Elementary School. "Last year, one little girl put 10 dots on each of her fingernails to total 100 dots. We hope we don't get 100 Beanie Babies."

Teachers said while the focus will be on fun, regular curriculum will be followed in all classes. In keeping with the 100th day theme, all math, social studies and reading classes will feature the number 100, as will music, art and physical education classes.

Students will write stories, sing songs, plot number lines and graphs, and even do 100 jumping jacks to reinforce the value of 100.

"Just talking about 100 is pretty abstract, but when we start representing 100 in different ways, they really get a grasp on it," said Shaw. "After we spend a day focusing on 100 in all these ways, and of course, after we enjoy our 100 snacks, they'll have a pretty good understanding of what the value of 100 actually is."