Starting a new school year can be nerve-wracking for students and teachers, but there are many ways to make it an exciting and engaging experience. Here are some additional ideas to add to your list of activities for the first week of school:

All About Me Activities for the First Day of School

All About Me Activities are a fun way for students to introduce themselves to their new classmates and teachers. This can be done through self-portraits, autobiographical poems, or even show-and-tell. Check out some of these ready-made All About Me activities here.

Back to School Read Alouds for the First Day of School

Read-alouds are another great way to kick off the school year. Choose a book that is both entertaining and educational, and use it to spark discussion and critical thinking among your students. I love using read-alouds throughout the day to help explain our rules, procedures, and routines. I wrote a whole post about some of my favorites! You can grab it here!

All About Me Craftivities for the First Day of School

Crafts are always a hit with students, and they can also be a great way to decorate your classroom. Consider having your students create name tags, bookmarks, or even a class banner. I love using All About Me crafts to help us learn a bit about each other. If you have kindergarteners or first graders, keep it simple and limit the amount of writing they will need to do to complete it. I have a few kinder/first-friendly crafts if you need one! Check out the rainbow craft shown below here. Or the absolutely adorable crayon craft here.

ice breaker activities for the first day of school

Fun Ice Breakers for the First Day of School

Icebreakers are great for helping students get to know each other and feel comfortable in their new environment. Try games like Two Truths and a Lie, Would You Rather, or the Human Knot.

Remember to keep your activities engaging and age-appropriate, and don’t be afraid to switch things up if they’re not working. With a little creativity and planning, you can make the first week of school a fun and memorable experience for everyone involved. Need some ideas for ice breakers? Check out this blog post for some ideas!

Ice breaker activities for back to school season

Classroom Scavenger Hunt for the First Day of School

Classroom scavenger hunt: Create a list of items for students to find around the room, such as books, school supplies, or even hidden messages. This can be a fun way to familiarize them with their new environment.

Goal Setting for the First Day of School

Help your students set goals for the school year by having them write down what they hope to achieve and how they plan to do it. This can motivate them to work hard and stay focused throughout the year.

Remember that the first week of school sets the tone for the rest of the year, so it’s important to create a positive and welcoming atmosphere from the start. By incorporating a variety of engaging activities, you can help your students feel excited and motivated to learn.

Looking for more ideas for your back to school planning? Check out these other blog post ideas!

Picture of a child sitting at a desk. On the desk are blocks spelling out "first day of school". — Back to School Activities

Teal background showing a picture of students and families on the first day of school. The words read "Activities for the First Day of School". — Back to School Activities

Hang out with Michelle for teacher tips, first grade activities, and more! — Hang out with Michelle for teacher tips, activities for your classroom, and more!

Michelle Staley

Hi! I’m Michelle!

I am a first-grade teacher from Connecticut. I’m living my best life as a wife and mom to two adorable and hilarious kids. In my spare time, I create resources that make life simpler for teachers and school fun for kids. Thanks for spending some of your valuable free time here with us!

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