Every year my students enjoy this Skittles Thanksgiving writing activity. I decided to change it up this year and make it a back-to-school writing activity instead. The Skittles are always a hit! They make the writing process much more engaging.
This activity is a great way for students to get to know each other and to share things about themselves. They make a great classroom or bulletin board display for the first few weeks of school!
Materials:
- Click here for the printable resource
- Each student needs one pack of skittles. The small snack sizes (if you can find them) work best.
- Colored pencils, crayons
- Black Marker or Fine Tip Sharpie
- Put skittles in a bag or give students a napkin so they can sort them by color
Step 1:
First, students sort their Skittles by color.
When I do this in my classroom, I purchase a large bag of skittles and divide them up into snack size bags before class. I like doing this because I can control exactly how many Skittles my students get. Sometimes the snack bag sizes vary. I also like that I can ensure the students get some of each color. It takes me 5-10 minutes to sort them out this way, but I think it’s worth it.
BONUS: If you give them snack bags, they can see the Skittles through the bag. They can sort them without having to dump them out & possibly spill them on the floor.
Step 2:
After sorting their Skittles, students complete the brainstorming sheet to help plan their writing. For each skittle, students complete the included graphic organizer to tell things about themselves. They write about their hobbies, favorite things, what they are excited about, and things they like to read about.
For example, on this project: For each green Skittle they have, students will write about one of their hobbies.
I ask my students to write in complete sentences, but you don’t have to do that. I like how the sentences share a complete thought about themselves.
Step 3:
Once the brainstorming is complete, students transfer their writing to the final paper. I read my students’ writing before I give them the final copy paper. I help them edit for misspelled words and capital letters.
Step 4:
Students color each section on the writing frame to match the skittles color. All purple sections will be colored purple on the final writing page. To make the rainbow effect, students will spread their colors out around the paper.
I also have my students trace over their pencil writing with a fine-tip sharpie. This makes their writing easier to read. It also makes it stand out on the paper.
These will make a great bulletin board or classroom decoration for the first few weeks of school. In my school, we display them on the students’ lockers. I laminate them so they’ll last for a long time. When we are finished with them at school, I send them home as a keepsake.
I use my personal laminator because I like the thicker lamination to cover their work. I think it will make their masterpieces last longer.
Want you use this Skittles back-to-school writing activity with your students?
I have created a Ready-to-Go resource that you can download and use with your students today. Click here to grab your copy of this Skittles back-to-school writing activity.
Looking for more Back-to-School? Check out these activities:
Reasons to have a Number Talks Routine
the Ideal Number of Weekly Vocabulary Words for Third Graders
