Warm Classroom Activities for First Day of School

by Remy Lo

Overview

Opportunities for dynamic learning experiences begin with each new school year. Although thoughts of summertime fun may still be lingering in your students' minds, getting them interested in the new school year is possible. Choose engaging first-day activities to capture attention and to establish a successful partnership with your class.

Give your students an enthusiastic welcome.
Pop Quizzes

Although your students may be puzzled when you announce a first day of school pop quiz, they will be pleased to discover that each student is his own quiz subject. Prepare a quiz, which asks students to relay information about their interests and expectations for the school year. Include quiz questions in the same formats that students will encounter during the school year for added benefit. Add enough questions so that each student has a chance to read at least one of his answers aloud. Keep a straight face as you methodically hand out the quizzes. Instruct students to keep the quizzes face down on their desks, until you give the signal to begin. Explain that summer is over and that this quiz is a useful assessment tool. Share in the collective sigh of relief that befalls the classroom when they figure out the lighthearted nature of the first-day assignment. Consider playing upbeat music while your students finish their first pop quizzes. This icebreaker allows students to loosen up and get used to your testing format.

Inspirational Readings

Use the first day to motivate students to approach the school year with a positive attitude. Achieve this by reading and discussing inspirational works. Select age- and course-appropriate passages for a targeted impact. Examples include the poem "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley for a high school British Studies class, or the storybook "I Am Absolutely Too Small for School" by Lauren Child to a preschool class. Ask for feedback about the passages, including practical application of the literary objectives. Consider reading interesting passages from upcoming literature assignments to spark student curiosity. End your reading session by sharing your personal message to the class. This activity helps build a constructive learning environment, while developing listening and discussion skills.
Time Capsules

Make memories on the first day that will be sealed until the last day of school. Suitable activities include taking group photos and writing classroom goals and expectations. "Bury" the time capsule in a locked file cabinet. Spice up this activity by allowing your students to decorate the time capsule. Turn this into an ongoing activity by adding items into the time capsule throughout the school year. This activity helps build classroom cohesion and gives students something to look forward to on the last day of school.