By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— Towers made with 100 marshmallows and toothpicks, shapes crafted from 100 strips of paper and buildings constructed out of 100 cups were just some of the projects filling the classrooms of Valley Intermediate School Jan. 27.

Although Valley Elementary School celebrates 100 days at school every year, this was VIS’s first year participating.

“It was neat for (the students) to see everybody was getting to participate in the same activities,” said Maria Thomas, a third grade teacher. “Getting to enjoy the 100 days in a way they didn’t really know they were learning (was fun).”

Thomas said the teachers tried to incorporate learning into the celebration of 100 days through STEM standards. She said the students creatively explored without having to be directed.

They were given 100 items, such as marshmallows, cups, toothpicks and more, and Thomas said the students had to build structures using all the materials.

After predicting how far they’d get by hopping or walking 100 steps down the hallway, Thomas said the students would test their predictions.

“It’s getting them to think outside, which a lot of times you aren’t able to,” Thomas said. “(They get the) opportunity to explore and create without being directed.”

Being an intermediate school, Thomas said it isn’t typical for them to celebrate 100 days. It’s usually an elementary school event. With the system moving into two K5 schools next year, Thomas said they wanted to bridge that gap.

At Valley Elementary, each grade has a goal to bring in 100 items to donate to Oak Mountain Missions, according to counselor Kay McRae. Each classroom counted the items brought in and tallied them on charts in the hallway.

Kindergarteners brought in toothpaste and toothbrushes, first-graders brought in bath soap and deodorant and second-graders brought in shampoo and conditioner.

McRae said the school collected more than 1,000 items. One student even brought in 100 toothbrushes and 100 tubes of toothpaste by himself, according to McRae.

“It really ties in well with the standards we are teaching,” McRae said. “We enjoy doing it and helping our community.”

Once the two schools combine to form kindergarten through fifth grade elementary schools, Thomas said she hopes they continue the 100-day celebrations.

“They enjoyed being able to do all these things,” Thomas said. “It allowed for us to see the kids in a different environment from the things they do in a normal day.”