Back to school brings promises of fresh starts, refreshed classroom decor, and a new beginning with students. Not only is it a time to go over classroom rules and set expectations for student behavior, but it’s also an opportunity to foster a positive classroom environment.
The first week of school is an important time to set the foundation for students to feel safe and comfortable with each other and with you. This may sound like a large responsibility to add to your already full plate, but it doesn’t have to be! Simply starting the year off with activities that give your students a chance to share about themselves and get to know their classmates will go a long way toward helping them feel comfortable in your classroom.
These back-to-school activities will help you get to know your students and set the stage for a positive classroom environment — for the first day of school and beyond.
13 Fun First Week of School Activities
Back-to-School Activities for Elementary School
Encourage your elementary students to share about themselves with icebreakers, all about me and getting to know you activities, and a fun escape room.
Kindergarten Speech & Language Screening Kit – No Print and Flip Book by Sarah Wu
Grade: Kindergarten | Special Education, Speech Therapy
Speech-language pathologists can use this resource to elicit students’ knowledge of basic concepts, following directions, and more. You can use this resource as a printable flip book or assign it digitally with Easel by TpT.
Back to School Icebreaker Activity by K’s Classroom Kreations
Grades: K-2nd | English Language Arts
Build community in your classroom with this twist on the all about me activity. Students will interview each other and learn their classmates’ names and favorite things.
Getting to Know You! 30 Icebreakers & Team Building Activities by Christine Statzel
Grades: K-6th | Back to School
These 30 back-to-school activities will start the year off right by helping students feel confident and comfortable in your classroom.
Would You Rather for the Music Classroom – Great Icebreaker & First Day Activity by Music with Melody
Grades: 1st-5th | Music
Use these Would You Rather cards during the first week of music class to get to know your students. Students will choose between two options, and you can extend the activity by having them explain their reasoning for their choice.
All About Me Pennant Banner Back to School Activities Getting to Know You by Kim Miller
Grades: 1st-6th | All Subjects
Students will love this all about me pennant banner about their favorite things. The finished projects are a great addition to your classroom bulletin board.
Back to School Writing Prompts and Word Work Activities by Mrs Beattie’s Classroom
Grades: 2nd-4th | Writing
These no-prep writing and word work activities are great for the first week of school. You can also assign this resource digitally with Easel by TpT.
First Day of School Activities – Back to School Ice Breaker and Writing Prompts by Kalena Baker – Teaching Made Practical
Grades: 2nd-5th | Writing
Here are 24 fun questions that you can use as first week of school activities with partners, small groups, or during your morning meetings. Build a positive classroom environment while having students practice speaking and listening.
Back to School Icebreaker & About Me Beginning of Year Writing Sample by Brenda Kovich
Grades: 3rd-4th | English Language Arts
Collect beginning of the school year writing samples with My Classmates and All About Me worksheets that help students get to know each other. You can assign this resource digitally with Easel by TpT.
Back to School Escape Room Getting to Know You First Day of School Activity by Teresa Kwant
Grades: 3rd-6th | Back to School
This getting to know you activity is an escape room that will engage students and help them get to know each other. Similar to a scavenger hunt, students will work together as a team to look for clues around the classroom.
Back-to-School Activities for Middle and High School
Build a positive classroom environment with creative icebreakers and getting to know you activities for middle school and high school students.
Back to School Student Survey – Get To Know You Activity – Digital / Print by Addie Williams
Grades: 6th – 10th | English Language Arts
This student survey is a great getting to know you activity for middle school and high school students during the first week of school. Get familiar with students’ personalities and quickly assess their writing skills with these fun questions.
Back to School Getting to Know You Activity by Room 213
Grades: 6th-12th | English Language Arts
This activity contains creative getting to know you questions that will help your older students learn about each other while they make up some class rules.
Back To School Beginning of the Year Icebreaker Bell Ringer Distance Learning by Tracee Orman
Grades: 6th-12th | All Subjects
These unique icebreaker activities include prompts for students to share about themselves and set class goals. Print them for a fun class bulletin board idea, or assign them digitally with Easel by TpT.
FREE Student Information Sheet for 1st day of school – “Get to know you” by Modern Mayberry
Grades: 7th-12th | All Subjects
This free student information sheet is a good way to get to know your middle and high school students on the first day of school.
Discover more first week of school activities on TpT.