Teacher-Tested Tips:

"I CAN'T" Funeral
Submitted by: Nadine Poper
A great first day activity is the "I Can't Funeral". Distribute a small piece of paper to each student for them to write at least one thing they think they cannot do academically. Such as "I can't do word problems," or "I can't read well." Collect the papers, place them in a shoe box or paper bag, and bury it in the... more »»
Grade Level(s): 1-2, 3-5

A Great Book to Start the Year
Submitted by: Mary Ann Oczkowski, 2nd Grade
I usually begin the year by reading the chapter book "Walter the Lazy Mouse" by Marjorie Flack. This is an old book that none of the children have ever read, so the story is always a surprise to them. Walter is very lazy and never pays attention in school. He ends up getting lost, and meets three frogs. He tries to tea... more »»
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5

All About Me Posters
Submitted by: Drucilla, Grade 3
On the first day of school, I have my students draw and color their name on a large sheet of paper. They add things about themselves, including their birthdays and their favorite things to do. The posters are then displayed on the wall in the classroom.

Bookmarks
Submitted by: Ashley DeMazza
When the children arrive on the first day of school I have a bookmark waiting for them on their desks. I ask them to make it as beautiful as possible as it will be very important to them throughout the year. Later that morning we look at everyone's bookmarks and talk about how we are all going to become even better readers that year.
Grade Level(s): 1-2

Class Puzzle
Submitted by: Cheryl Pauly
During the first week of school I have my class create a puzzle. I cut a poster up and give each student a piece of the puzzle. (Be sure to put a dot in one of the corners so that you know which side is up.) The students put their name on it and decorate it. Then as a class we put the puzzle together on a bulletin board. This is great for problem solving and cooperative learning. Every year the kids love it.
Grade Level(s): 1-2, 3-5

Cover Sheets
Submitted by: L. Parker
Many of the classrooms in my district are arranged in a way that groups 3 or 4 students together in individual desks. On the first day, have the students decorate a plain manila file folder with their name and any other decorative elements that they choose. Have the students place these in their own desk to use as needed for cover sheets or open them and create their own personal "cubicle" for test times.
Grade Level(s): 3-6

Dear Me,
Submitted by: Ms. V
"Dear Me" is a letter students write to themselves on the first day of school. Inside the letter they are to discuss their feelings about starting a new school year, what they loved/hated about the previous school year, and what they expect to learn this year. The requirements can be changed. The teacher collects the l... more »»
Grade Level(s): 6-8

Family Tree
Submitted by: Alyssa Robbins, Kindergarten
During the first week of school my Kindergarteners help me to make a large tree out of Brown Butcher paper. I encourage parents at open house to send in 2 or 3 family pictures to put on the family tree. We then add leaves--green for the beginning of school, then we change them as the foliage turns. The kids are very proud to have picture of their families in the classroom. It also fits nicely in our "All About Me" theme.
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2

First Day Advice
Submitted by: divey
At the end of each school year, one of my closing activities is to have my class write a letter to my next class giving advice as to how to be successful in 2nd grade/my class :D I bind their letters together and I usually read it the first day. Not only is it a hoot to hear "their" take on what makes ME tick, but it's a very good ice breaker.
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5

First Day Letter
Submitted by: Penny - Grade 5
On the first day of school, I have a letter ready for each child. Although the letter is the same, each is addressed with the child's name. In the letter I introduce myself, talk about my family, my summer holidays and my hobbies. I then ask them to write back to me and fill me in on them. The students are very int... more »»
Grade Level(s): 3-5

First Day Name Puzzle
Submitted by: Carmen, 1st Grade
On the first day of school, I like to make a name puzzle with my students. I take a large piece of poster board, and mark out lines that can be cut into pieces. Make sure that the puzzle will have enough pieces for each student to have one. We all gather on the floor to write our name on the blank side of the poster bo... more »»
Grade Level(s): 1-2, 3-5

First Day Nameplates
Submitted by: Darlene L., K-1st
On the first day of school, I have enough pre-cut letters ready for each child to spell out their first name twice. Each student is provided a sheet of cardstock cut to fit their name, and folded in half to form a tent. The students then glue their names on both the front and the back side of the 'tent' and stand the n... more »»
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2

First Days Activities
Submitted by: Lisa Slaughter, 2nd Grade
For the last several years, we have started back with students in the middle of the week. Those "odd" days I have spent slowly introducing the classroom rather than begin active lessons. A new grade level and classroom is so overwhelming... there is so much so to see and do! I make a word search using my new class list... more »»
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2

Fun First Day Activity
Submitted by: Shelly, 1st Grade
On the first day of school I have plenty of pre-cut letters in lots of different colors on a table. As the children come in they find the letters to spell their names and glue them together. I hang these from the ceiling! They really brighten up the room and look great for Open House! Usually this is the first thing they point out to their parents.
Grade Level(s): 1-2, 3-5

Introducing Science
Submitted by: Karen Wilson, Grades 3-6
A great introduction to Science at the beginning of the year is to talk about scientists. Give your students a piece of white paper and tell them to draw what they think a scientist looks like. Let them have about 10 minutes or so to do this. Then instruct students to write on the paper what they think a scientist does... more »»
Grade Level(s): 3-5

Making An Important Book
Submitted by: Robin Long
On the first day of school I read The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown. I review paragraph writing and instruct them to write a paragraph following the same format as the book about themselves. I also do the same. After the rough drafts are written they are to do a final draft and attach it to a white piece of pap... more »»
Grade Level(s): 1-2, 3-5

New Student Information Booklet
Submitted by: Jennifer, Grade 1
During the first few weeks of school, my class makes a book about the school. Each student has a page about themself with a picture that they make themselves. I include pictures of important staff and faculty, important parts of the school (gym, media center, computer lab, etc), and extra copies of the student informat... more »»
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5

Picture portfolio

Take a digital picture of each student on the first day of school. Insert into a Microsoft Word document in which each student types or writes about what they would like to learn in second grade. Glue on the front of a file folder and put samples of student's work in it throughout the year. Take a picture of each stude... more »»
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5

Picture Rules
Submitted by: Debbie Coria
While introducing the class rules and expectations, I have a student model each desired behavior. I take a digital picture of it and use them in a PowerPoint. I make a slide of each rule with the child's picture for the background. I print the slides and post the picture rules on the wall. The heading for this is "Model Behavior" or "Welcome to Our Picture Perfect Class".
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2

Sentence Strip Unscramble
Submitted by: S. Crenshaw
This activity is great to use the first day kids walk in, while you greet new students and their parents. Type a short letter attached to an envelope inviting students to unscramble the sentence you have placed in their envelope. Sentences like: Welcome to 3rd grade! It's going to be a great year! I'm glad you are here! Be sure to cut between the words like a puzzle. The students job is to place the sentence in order.
Grade Level(s): 1-2, 3-5

Snowball Fight!
Submitted by: Daphne Sherrod
Students write three things about themselves on a piece of paper. Then they crumple the paper up into a "snowball." Students have one-two minutes to have a snowball fight. When time is called, everyone grabs the closest snowball and tries to find the person who wrote it. They then introduce that person to the entire class by sharing the three facts. If you really want to liven things up, join in the fight with your class.
Grade Level(s): 6-8, 9-12

Time Capsules
Submitted by: Kim Burdett, Taupo, New Zealand
I have a Year 2 class (5-6 year olds). In the first week of school, we make time capsules (small cardboard boxes) with pictures of "What I want to be," "Who my friends are," a print of their hands, a sample story, and a sample of handwriting. We decorate the box with their name in glitter and hang them from the classroom roof. They are exciting to open at the end of the year to see how we've changed!
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5

Toothpaste to Teach Respect
Submitted by: Mary Beth Busick
Before we discuss classroom rules I tell the kids we are going to play a game. Each group has a travel size tube of toothpaste. First I tell them to squeeze all the toothpaste onto a paper plate. Then I tell them the game is to try to get all of the toothpaste back into the tube without using any tools expect a toot... more »»
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

True False Quiz
Submitted by: Nicole
On the first day of school I give my new students a T/F quiz all about me. I have silly things in there like "I like to hang upside-down from trees" "I love Harry Potter books" and "My favorite color is purple." The children take the quiz and then we go over the answers. I usually give a small prize to whoever gets ... more »»
Grade Level(s): 3-5

Turning over a new Leaf
Submitted by: Andrea, Grade 4
On the first day of school students see their names written on a leaf that is hanging from a tree in our reading center. The quote, "Turning over a new leaf" is written on the board and we brainstorm ideas as to what it means. Once the children have an understanding of the quote, they then write me a letter that begins... more »»
Grade Level(s): 3-5, 6-8