First-Day-of-School Activities: Grades K-6

Icebreaker activities are great for easing back-to-school jitters and establishing a positive classroom climate. Try the following fresh ideas (from Pinterest and other sources) to help younger students get to know each other during the first few days and weeks of school. 

Below are five engaging activities teachers can use in elementary classrooms. Also, don't miss these handy back-to-school templates:

My Summer Vacation: Writing Prompt
Back-to-School Student Survey
Icebreaker/Student Writing Activity: My Favorite Things
Icebreaker/Student Writing Activity: A New School Year
Back-to-School Comic Strip
 

1.  What Kind of Teacher Do YOU Want? 
   On a chalkboard or whiteboard, write "What Kind of Teacher Do YOU Want?" Allow plenty of space and ask students to come up, grab a marker, and write qualities they think teachers should have in and out of the classroom. At the end of the activity, discuss these traits or other statements with the class, and find reasons why they wrote down those answers. For example, did they have trouble with a certain subject? This way, students feel comfortable sharing their thoughts right as they enter the classroom, and teachers can be more prepared for the year to come. 
    
2. Guess Who? 
   Give students a sheet of paper and ask them to write something interesting about themselves as well as their age, physical appearance and favorite color. Offer space at the top for students to draw a picture of themselves. Then post all of the sheets and have students guess which one belongs to whom. This will help teachers get to know their students and help students get to know one another, too. It's a good activity for finding similarities and differences in the classroom, as well as promoting self-expression and celebrating diversity. 
    
3. Would You Rather? (Back-to-School Question Game) 
   This 30-slide presentation is a great icebreaker activity for the first few days of school. It can be used interactively with whiteboards to practice proper classroom use of materials (e.g., whiteboards, markers and erasers). Boost kids' critical thinking skills while having a little fun on the first few days of school. 
    
4. Time Capsule
   On the first day of school, tell students to come back the next day with a photo and a letter to themselves with their goals for the upcoming school year. Gather the items and put them in well-sealed, ground-safe box. Bury the capsule in the ground, and dig it up at the end of the school year. Students can reflect on their goals and see if they achieved them. Here's another version of the activity.
    
5. "Me Bag"
   Give students a paper lunch bag with the text: "In order to get to you know better, I ask that you put a few things together--things that tell me who you are. Are you a singer, a dancer or maybe a sports star? Bring the things important to you, but only bring a few--five or six tokens from home that help us learn about you!" Have them share their items in class the next day. This will foster a comfortable atmosphere and help everyone get to know one another. Teachers: Bring in a bag, too!

Article by Kassondra Granata, EducationWorld Contributor
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