by: Marianna Monheim
Updated: 12/8/2025
Have you heard of National Fourth Graders Day? Thanks to two teachers from New Jersey (and their persevering students) the 2nd Monday of January is now designated as a special holiday specific to our 4th grade friends. It celebrates the hard work, curiosity, and growing independence of this fun-to-teach age group!
Here's the TL;DR
- It's celebrated on the 2nd Monday in January
- It's a fun way to prop up your 4th graders before the testing whirlwind starts
- You can find 5 no-prep activities for the day in my TPT store
Table of Contents
There's a National Fourth Graders Day?
Yep, and it happens on the 2nd Monday of every January. Why? It’s a great story, honestly. A class of fourth graders noticed during their morning holiday of the day routine that none of the celebrations were about them. Their teachers, Jillian Hagberg and Donna Hennessy, submitted the idea on their behalf, and voila! National 4th Graders Day is an official holiday.
Why 4th Graders Need to be Celebrated
4th graders are the “middle child” of the intermediate grades. They aren’t the new kids on the block anymore, and they live in the spotlight of the 5th graders who have tons of special events to celebrate their transition to middle school.
That’s also what makes teaching fourth grade so rewarding. They’re still imaginative and curious, yet they’re ready for more responsibility and independence. It’s a brief stage, but a meaningful-and fun-one. It’s worth it to spend a bit of time celebrating their uniquely 4th grade ways!
5 Ideas You Don't Need to Come Up With on Your Own
If you want to celebrate but feel unsure about what to do, you’re in good company. Most teachers don’t have extra planning hours in January, and if you’re going to set aside time for this, it needs to be meaningful. That’s why I created a set of ready-to-use activities that make the day feel special without adding to your workload:
FAST FOUR
A quick-thinking challenge where students list four-letter words that fit each category. It’s fast, fun, and great for warming up their brains.
FOUR THINGS ABOUT ME
A simple, student-loved prompt that gets kids sharing four personal facts, then comparing and contrasting with classmates. Low prep, high engagement, and perfect for building community.
MULTIPLES OF FOUR
A themed word search built around number words in the four fact family. Ideal for soft starts, early finishers, or a quiet moment in the day.
FOCUS ON FOURTH
A trivia activity centered on all things fourth place. Light competition, lots of laughter, and a sneaky way to build critical thinking.
FOUR BY FOUR
A category-sorting brain teaser where students group words and figure out the hidden connections. Quick to explain and surprisingly addictive.
Setting Up in Your Classroom
The best thing about these activities is the flexibility you have when using them. Use all 5, or pick and choose the activities your class would respond to best. Set up as rotations, partner work, or independent work for early finishers. It’s all up to you! However, if you need some ideas, here’s a possible set up based on teacher feedback I’ve received for this resource:
Ms. Ramirez’s class had a blast last year with these activities. She set out the Four Things About Me page as morning work so students had something meaningful to settle into right away. Once everyone was warmed up, she set up three rotations: Fast Four at the carpet, Multiples of Four at the back table, and Four by Four at student desks. The rotations moved quickly, giving students just enough time to enjoy each activity without losing momentum.
In the afternoon, she brought the class together for the Focus on Fourth trivia page. It turned into the unexpected highlight of the day. Students teamed up, compared ideas, and were fully engaged as they researched the answers. She felt like it was the perfect way to celebrate the day.
PRO TIP: Looking to create a celebration vibe on the cheap? Pick up some clearance New Years decorations to hang around the room. A little goes a long way!
Why Teachers Love These Activities
When I posted this product last year, it immediately began receiving 5-star reviews. Here’s why:
✅ Truly print and go
Every page is clean, clear, and ready the moment it hits the copier. No prep, no setup, no extra materials.
✅ Built for fourth-grade brains
Each activity is designed to challenge students just enough without overwhelming them. It hits that sweet spot of independence, curiosity, and skill-building.
✅ Make fourth graders feel seen
The tasks center on who they are, what they’re proud of, and what makes being a fourth grader unique. It gives them a moment of recognition before testing season ramps up.
✅ Easy to plug into any schedule
Use them as morning work, centers, soft starts, early finishers, or a themed block of time. Everything adapts without extra work on your part.
Frequently Asked Questions
National Fourth Graders Day is celebrated on the second Monday of January each year. Many teachers use it as a mid-year morale boost for students just as testing prep and winter routines start to ramp up.
Teachers often celebrate by using print-and-go activities that are designed specifically for fourth graders. Popular options include quick writing prompts, themed puzzles, collaborative challenges, and light trivia. Anything that helps students feel recognized and proud of their work fits the day well.
These activities challenge students at a level that feels appropriate for mid-year fourth grade. They promote independence, build confidence before testing season, and give students a chance to reflect on their growth. They also support community-building, which research shows improves engagement and academic outcomes in upper elementary grades.
Final Thoughts
Teaching fourth grade is a wild, rewarding adventure — full of curiosity, laughter, and growth. So, take a day to pause and celebrate how far your students have come. They’ll remember it. And so will you.
👉 Get the printable pack here on Teachers Pay Teachers.
More January Activities for Upper Elementary Teachers
