The first day of school can be a little daunting, especially if you just spent the last year at home. To help put students at ease and make sure they have a smooth transition back, try out some of these fun activities:
Help kids get to know each other with an “About me” worksheet
Adults love an excuse to share about themselves, and kids are no different! Encourage your students to learn about one another by completing an “About me” worksheet, and sharing them with the class.
From simple either-or preference sheets, to more advanced writing prompts, students will gain confidence when they’re able to share their interests, hobbies, and character traits with attentive listeners.
Find a friend with this fun icebreaker
Making friends can be challenging for some students! Break the ice with this “Find a friend” worksheet, designed to help students meet individuals who share common interests.
Give every student a pencil and a worksheet and have them move around the room asking other classmates about their interests as they go. When they find someone who answers “yes” to one of the 16 questions, have the student write down their name in the slot below the question. Once students have completed the worksheet, have them share aloud some of their answers, to help them practice each other’s names and build confidence!
Show your students you care with this thoughtful writing prompt
Building a strong foundation with your students is a great way to encourage their respect and grow their trust. This writing prompt is called “I wish my teacher knew,” and it’s meant to give students a dedicated time and space to share information about themselves that they want you to know.
Carefully reading their responses will help students feel known by you, and will make them feel more at home and invested in your classroom.
Read a book to set the mood
Get students excited to be back at school with books like The Three Questions by Jon J. Muth and The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson. Setting the mood with a fun book is a great way to make students feel comfortable in the classroom and happy to be back at school learning.
