Starting the year off with the right activities and creating a memorable first day of school can help set the tone for the entire school year. In my early years of teaching, I spent hours searching for the perfect first day of school icebreakers and activities that would help me get to know my students, help ease the jitters (that we all had), and build a strong community from day one. I have tried countless ideas over the years.
To help save you time and to help you get your year started great, I’ve compiled a favorites list of eight fantastic first-day-of-school icebreakers and activities to engage your students, help build classroom community, and create a memorable first week of school for your upper elementary classroom.
8 Great First Day of School Icebreakers and Activities
Find Someone Who
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Provide a handout with prompts such as “Find someone who has the same number of siblings as you” or “Find someone who loves birthday cake.” Students circulate around the room asking questions to find classmates who match each statement. To make this activity even more engaging, challenge students to have each classmate only sign their handout one time. A student may not sign a student’s worksheet more than once.
Students enjoy this activity allowing them to move around the classroom. After completing the activity, bring the class together to share interesting findings or stories they discovered about their classmates. This encourages public speaking and helps students learn more about each other in a structured way. You could also have students write a short paragraph about someone they met during the activity, sharing something interesting they learned about them.
High Five Goals
Help students set and share 5 personal and academic goals for this school year. Provide each student with a sticky note or an index card for them to write their goals. Explain to the students the importance of setting goals. Doing this can help them focus and achieve more throughout the school year.
Ask students to take a few moments to think about goals that they would like to reach this year. Give examples such as, “Improve my math skills”, “Make new friends,” “Read more books,” etc. Once students have written their goals, they may attach the sticky note or index card to their desk as a daily reminder and motivator.
Guess Who?
Ask students to think of 3 unique facts about themselves. These facts could be about their favorite hobbies, favorite things, family, or experiences. Give examples such as, “I have a pet turtle”, “I have traveled to Canada”, or “I play softball.” Provide students with an index card. They will write their name at the top and the 3 unique facts below.
Once students are finished, take up the cards and shuffle. Read each card to the class and let them guess who they think the facts are about.
Classroom Scavenger Hunt
Help your students familiarize themselves with the classroom with a scavenger hunt. Provide students with a checklist of important classroom items that they will need each day such as the pencil sharpener, where to turn in papers, the classroom library, the clock, etc. This activity can reduce anxiety and help students feel more comfortable in their new environment.
Common Ground
Divide students into groups of 4-5. The goal is for each group to find at least 3 things that they all have in common. Begin by asking students to share 2 or 3 facts about themselves with the other members of the group. Once everyone has shared, the group should discuss and find 2 or 3 things that they all have in common. For example, “We all have at least one sister”, “Everyone in our group loves pizza”, etc.
After 10-15 minutes , bring the class back together. Lead a discussion on how finding common ground can help make connections and build relationships.
Choose a Class Name and Mascot
Let your students brainstorm and choose a class name and class mascot. This simple activity can help build a positive classroom atmosphere. It can serve as a fun motivating symbol that can reinforce class values and goals.
Interest Inventories
Interest inventories can be a great way to gather information about your students. They can allow you to tailor instruction to your students’ interests, help you begin to get to know your students, and help students feel valued.
I Am Poems
Writing poetry such as “I Am” poems can help students express and tell about themselves in a creative way. There are many examples of “I Am” poem templates that can be used. These poems not only make a great first day activity, but make a great display when completed. One example that you may use is below.
I Am
Line 1: First name ___________________________
Line 2: Four traits about you
Line 3: Who loves ________________________________ (list 3 things you love)
Line 4: Who feels ________________________________(3 things you feel)
Line 5: Who fears ________________________________(3 things you fear)
Line 6: Who would like to see __________________ (3 things you would like to see or see happen)
Line 7: Resident of ___________________________
Line 8: Last name ___________________________
Find even more ideas for back to school, you may enjoy reading this blog post on 12 Tips to Get the School Year Started Off Strong.
More About First Day of School Icebreakers and Activities
If you like these ideas and would love lesson plans, extension ideas, and more in-depth activities, you will love my Back to School First Day of School Icebreakers and Activities Packet. This easy-to-use packet contains all of the icebreakers and first-day-of-school activities to help your back-to-school days run smoothly. You won’t have to search all over the internet and spend hours of your precious time. Click here to find out more.
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