Family Night Fiesta

Caitlin Imparato

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Family Night Fiesta Lesson Plan

Families and 1st graders will engage in interactive literacy and math stations, strengthening reading skills, number sense, and home–school connections through games, stories, and collaborative challenges.

Engaging families in hands-on literacy and math activities fosters a supportive learning environment, reinforces key 1st grade skills, and builds positive home–school partnerships that boost student confidence and achievement.

Audience

1st Grade Students and Families

Time

90 minutes

Approach

Interactive stations with games and collaborative challenges.

Materials

Word Bingo Cards, - Number Memory Game Cards, - Station Signage Sheets, - Family Storybook Handout, - Scratch Paper, - Pencils, - Small Prizes (Stickers, Bookmarks, etc.), and - Family Night Fiesta Lesson Plan

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

Print Word Bingo Cards for each family.
Print Number Memory Game Cards and shuffle into decks.
Print and assemble Station Signage Sheets to label each area.
Print copies of Family Storybook Handout for the reading corner.
Set out pencils, scratch paper, and small prizes at each station.
Review event flow and station instructions in the Family Night Fiesta Lesson Plan.

Step 1

Welcome and Icebreaker

10 minutes

Greet families and students as they arrive; distribute name tags and event schedules.
Introduce the goals: strengthen reading, number sense, and home–school connections.
Explain station rotations, time limits, and collaboration expectations.

Step 2

Literacy Station: Word Bingo

20 minutes

Families play Bingo using high-frequency word cards from Word Bingo Cards.
Encourage students to read each word aloud before marking their card.
Award small prizes for completing a row to motivate participation.

Step 3

Reading Corner: Story Sharing

15 minutes

Gather around the reading area with copies of Family Storybook Handout.
Invite a volunteer to read the story aloud; families discuss characters, setting, and plot.
Prompt families to brainstorm and share alternate endings together.

Step 4

Math Station: Memory Match

20 minutes

Families play a matching game using Number Memory Game Cards.
Students say each number aloud when flipping cards to reinforce number sense.
Track number of turns and discuss strategies for remembering card positions.

Step 5

Family Story Challenge

15 minutes

Provide story prompts combining literacy and math (e.g., a character counting objects on an adventure).
Families write or draw a short story or comic strip incorporating those elements.
Display completed stories at the station for others to read and celebrate creativity.

Step 6

Reflection and Wrap-Up

10 minutes

Reconvene as a whole group; ask families to share favorite moments and takeaways.
Distribute small prizes and encourage families to continue similar activities at home.
Collect feedback forms to improve future Family Night events.

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Slide Deck

Family Night Fiesta

Literacy & Math Fun for 1st Grade Families
90-minute interactive event

Welcome families as they arrive. Introduce yourself and thank everyone for coming. Distribute name tags and event schedules. Explain the evening’s goals: strengthening reading skills, number sense, and home–school connections through fun stations.

Welcome & Icebreaker

• Greet & tag up
• Review goals & schedule
• Explain station rotations (20–15 min each)

Explain how the evening will run. Review each station, the rotation schedule, and collaboration expectations. Encourage families to move as a team and support one another.

Station 1: Word Bingo

• Play Bingo using high-frequency words from Word Bingo Cards
• Student reads each word aloud before marking
• Earn a small prize for a completed row

Introduce Station 1. Point out the Bingo cards on tables. Model reading one high-frequency word and marking it. Remind families prizes await completed rows.

Station 2: Story Sharing

• Gather with Family Storybook Handout
• Volunteer reads aloud
• Discuss characters, setting & plot
• Brainstorm alternate endings

Guide families to the reading corner. Pass out the story handouts. Invite a volunteer to read aloud and facilitate discussion about characters, setting, and plot. Prompt for alternate endings.

Station 3: Memory Match

• Match pairs using Number Memory Game Cards
• Say each number aloud when revealing cards
• Track turns & discuss remembering strategies

Demonstrate how to play Memory Match. Show the card layout. Encourage students to say each number aloud when they flip a card. Talk about memory strategies.

Station 4: Family Story Challenge

• Receive a combined literacy-math prompt
• Write or draw a short story/comic incorporating counting
• Display completed stories for sharing

Introduce the story challenge prompt (e.g., counting objects on an adventure). Provide scratch paper and pencils. Encourage creative writing or drawing. Invite families to display their work.

Reflection & Wrap-Up

• Share favorite moments & takeaways
• Distribute small prizes & feedback forms
• Encourage similar home activities

Bring everyone back together. Ask families to share their favorite moments or what they learned. Hand out small prizes and feedback forms. Encourage continuing activities at home.

Thank You!

Thank you for joining Family Night Fiesta!
Keep reading and counting together at home.

Thank families for their participation. Provide contact info for future events and resources. Wish them well and invite them to upcoming school activities.

Worksheet

Word Bingo Cards

Directions: Read each word aloud when it’s called. Mark your card by covering the word. The center square is a FREE space. Get five in a row (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally) to win!

Card 1

B	I	N	G	O
the	and	to	a	in
is	you	that	it	for
on	was	FREE	are	with
as	his	they	I	at
be	this	have	from	not

Card 2

B	I	N	G	O
but	said	look	up	down
can	my	me	go	have
this	not	FREE	at	be
from	with	they	his	I
for	on	is	a	the

Card 3

B	I	N	G	O
and	to	in	you	that
it	was	are	as	the
have	from	FREE	is	a
be	this	on	for	with
I	they	my	can	go

Card 4

B	I	N	G	O
look	up	down	but	said
in	you	that	it	was
are	as	FREE	have	from
a	the	and	to	is
with	his	they	I	at

Worksheet

Number Memory Game Cards

Directions: Print and cut along the lines to create individual cards. Each number from 1 to 20 appears on two cards. Shuffle all 40 cards face-down. Players take turns flipping two cards at a time. If the numbers match, the player keeps the pair; if not, flip them back over. The player with the most pairs at the end wins!

1	12	3	20	8
5	17	9	14	2
6	19	4	11	7
10	16	13	18	15
1	12	3	20	8
5	17	9	14	2
6	19	4	11	7
10	16	13	18	15

Tip: Laminate the printed sheet before cutting for extra durability. Shuffle well before each game!

Reading

Counting Stars

Late one evening, the Rivera family stepped outside to look at the night sky. Lily pointed to the bright dots above and asked, “How many stars do you see?” Dad smiled and said, “Let’s count them together!”

First, Daddy counted the bright stars. He counted 8 shining lights in one group. Then, Mommy counted the dim stars and found 6 more. Lily giggled as she said, “That makes 14 stars so far!”

Next, Grandma noticed a small cluster of planets and encouraged Lily to count those, too. Lily counted 5 tiny circles and proudly announced, “We have 5 planets!” The family added them all up: 14 stars + 5 planets = 19 objects sparkling in the sky.

Discussion & Activities

Who are the family members in this story?
What did the family count first, and how many did they find?
Daddy counted bright stars (8) and Mommy counted dim stars (6). How many stars did they count together?
Draw your own night sky. Add at least five stars or planets and label each one with a number.

Enjoy talking and drawing together as you count the wonders of the night sky!

Cool Down

Family Night Feedback

Thank you for joining Family Night Fiesta! Please help us improve by answering the questions below.

What was your favorite activity or station tonight and why?
What did your child enjoy the most and what did they learn?
How can we make future family nights even better?
Additional comments or ideas: