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Get some great ideas from other educators for starting out the new school year and welcoming students. We are often looking for ideas that get students engaged, have them feel welcome, build relationships, foster positive attitudes, and prepare them for the new school year.
Below are some ideas for ice-breaking activities, greeting students, establishing rules, etc. The following school districts and teachers were willing to share their ideas.
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We will add your idea to this page.
School District School Location
Niskayuna Central School District Van Antwerp Middle School Niskayuna, New York
Superintendent Dr Kevin Baughman
Principal Mr. Anthony Brandone
Teacher Carol LaRow
Tools Used: Google Docs
On the first day of school, I like to have students ease into the school year. They are just getting off summer vacation, and they are not used to the length of their classes and their schedules. A fun activity is to have them use Google Docs and emojis to tell a story, express how they feel, write about their summer, or any topic you choose.
Google Docs has an extensive list of smileys, emotions, people, animals, nature, travel, places, activities, symbols, objects, hand gestures, and more.
Students write about their chosen topics.
Other students try to guess what the story/plot is
From that, we can branch out to reading short stories where students can discuss characters in the stories and explore characters' emotions, actions, thoughts, etc.
It's a stress-free way to ease into a lesson, and they have fun.
Google Docs
Insert Menu > Emojis
Click on the different icons to get different choices
Students can save their stories inside their Google accounts - Drive
If they are familiar with Classroom, teachers can push out the assignment using Classroom
School District School Location
Rensselaer City School District Rensselaer Jr./Sr. High Rensselaer, New York
Superintendent Joseph Kardash
Principal Dominick Pitaniello
Teacher Scott Beiter
Tools Used: Google Docs,
Presentation, Images, Legos
The first day of classes is too important not to enjoy. Students build something with Legos to represents themselves or their summer. The following is what Scott has written on his blog page.
Do you want the first impression of your class to be lock-down procedures, syllabus reading, and rule recitation?
Heck no!
We want our students, after the first day, to want to come back the next day. We want them to talk about what they did with their friends and family. Not just that, we want a chance to get to know our students. Personally, I want to try and have a conversation with each student by the end of the week. If I can do it on the first day; even better!
The lesson I use the first day is an adaption of one described by Dave Burgess in Teach Like a Pirate. Check a description here.
There really is nothing like kids walking into the room on the first day and seeing Play-Doh or Legos on the desks. Below is the Google Slide I use for the activity.
Students then write a reflection piece about what they made in their science journal. This enables those students who might be reluctant to share a chance to collect their thoughts. I can also read the reflection if I can't quite figure out what their build represents.
What did you make?
How does this represent you? OR How does it show a part of your summer?
Would someone else be able to match the model to you? Why? OR
What made this part of your summer so special? Explain
When doing this activity I give plenty of time during the last part of class to have students share stories about their summer, family, and really anything. Just get the conversations going and establish a rapport. You will quickly learn which students share and what interests are. It is so important at this point to be supportive and affirmative. I use the improv "yes and" strategy. Don't shoot down student passions and ideas.
Student: I play video games.
Teacher (DON'T SAY): Those are a waste of time.
Teacher (DO SAY): Neat. What is your favorite to play?
Remember be honest and true to yourself. Most importantly, HAVE FUN with this activity. No work involved here other than setting up the activity and breaking it down.
School District School Location
Up-Island Regional Schools West Tisbury School Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts
Superintendent Dr. James Weiss
Principal Mr. Bob Halt
Teacher Valerie Becker
Tools Used: Chrome, Google Docs
I like to have my students use Google Docs to write a letter or note. They can choose from a number of ideas, or suggest one of their own. They can write to:
manager of vacation spot they visited over the summer, telling what they liked about the spot
owner of a fictitious candy store they visited, telling why they enjoyed the visit
an athlete they like
last year's teacher
a celebrity
a friend
an official in their city/town
Or, they can decide to write about things such as:
activities they enjoy
"My favorite place"
overcoming something they found difficult to do
favorite holiday
favorite TV show, book, game, music, movie
favorite meal or food. restaurant
"The First Time I . . . " (went camping, visited NYC, tried to ski, tried to surf, etc.)
If they wish, they can add interest to their letters by adding images they draw, emojis, or images they find on the WEB
School District School Location
Livermore Valley Joint Unified District Altamont Creek School Livermore, California
Principal Ms. Andrea Tapia
Teacher Mary Stuart
Tools Used: Chrome, Google Slides, Google Photos, Google Search
On the first day of school, I like to use this project. It helps make the transition from the carefree days of summer to the structure of classes and school work.
Students are given access to a Google slide presentation
They will each create a slide telling their other classmates about themselves
They are asked to mention things they like to do, their favorite vacation spot, favorite games, etc.
They can add images or sound files if they wish
When done creating and adding their own slide to the class set, they must visit the slides of their classmates and leave a comment
Click here to submit your idea for the "First Day Of School."
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