Setting the Stage for the School Year

5 Activities to Start your School Year

Day 1: Get to Know Your New Class

Focus: Learn classmates’ names + break the ice

Activity:

• Circle Time: Students say their name and a movement (e.g., “I’m Olivia and I like to jump!”).

• Introduce the idea that we all have likes and dislikes, and we may have similar tastes as other friends!

• Resource Used: Back-to-School Get to Know You Activity - OPTION - You can make your own PPT. You do not have to use mine. If you feel up to it, you can make your own ad specialize it to your likes and dislikes.

  • Display the PPT on the board in front othe class. Students respond to "Does your teacher like this or that" questions. They go to the side of the room where they think their teachers preference is!

  • Then they do the same activity, but instead they answer the question of what they like better!

Wrap-Up: Reflect with a partner—“What is one new thing you learned about someone today?”

Day 2: Our Classroom Contract

Focus: Create shared expectations and build responsibility

Activity:

• Read a book like Our Class is a Family or What If Everybody Did That?

• Discuss: “What kind of classroom do we want this to be?”

• As a class, brainstorm and vote on 4–6 key expectations (e.g., Be Kind, Listen, Try Your Best).

• Talk about what a contract is. Legally when someone signs an official contract they have to abide to the contarct, otherwise there will be repercussions.

• Write the Classroom Contract on anchor chart paper or digitally.

• Each student signs it (can be with markers or digital stamps).

Wrap-Up: Display the contract somewehre in the classroom that is visible. Make sure students can see it and refer back to it when necessary.

Day 3: All About Us Collaborative Poster

Focus: Build classroom identity and teamwork

Activity:

• Introduce the idea of “We are each unique, but together we are a team.”

• Resource Used: All About Me Collaborative Coloring Poster

  • Students complete their section of the apple display and color it. As parts are finished, begin assembling on the apple display on a bulletin board.

Wrap-Up: The class can talk about something they wrote on their piece. Then talk about how all of our pieces (and information about us) work together to make the full apple display.

Day 4: Classroom Scavenger Hunt

Focus: Learn classroom procedures and become familiar with important areas of the room

Activity:

• Explain that students will be going on a scavenger hunt to explore their new classroom.

• Give students a scavenger hunt sheet with clues or prompts that lead them to important classroom locations:

  • Where do we turn in completed work?

  • Where can we find classroom books?

  • Where do we get extra supplies?

  • Where is the pencil sharpener?

  • Where can we find tissues?

  • Where do we place absent work?

  • Where are emergency procedures posted?

  • Where can we find our classroom schedule?

• Students may work independently, with a partner, or in small groups.

• At each location, have students complete a simple task such as:

  • Write the name of the area.

  • Draw a quick sketch.

  • Answer a question about its purpose.

  • Record one classroom expectation associated with that area.

• After the hunt, gather students together and review each location. Discuss why each area is important and how using it correctly helps the classroom run smoothly.

Wrap-Up: Ask students to share one thing they learned about the classroom and one area they think will be most helpful to them throughout the year. Reinforce that learning the classroom layout and procedures helps everyone become more independent and successful learners.

Day 5: Letter to My Grown-Ups

Focus: Practice writing + prepare for Open House

Activity:

• Reflect: “What have you liked about school so far?”

• Model writing a letter to parents or guardians.

  • Show them how to format a letter. "Dear"...."From"

  • Sentence starters: “My favorite part of this week was…” / “I’m excited for you to see…” / “One thing I want you to know is…”

• Let students decorate the letter or envelope.

Wrap-Up: Place letters in a basket or student mailbox to be displayed or handed out during Open House.

I hope this makes your summer planning go a little smoother this year!

Happy Taching!!

Alyssa