Teacher-Tested Tips:

Autobiography Poem
Submitted by: Emily D.
The first day of school I tell my students that their first assignment will be to write a poem. I usually hears moans and groans at this point, especially since I teach Math. I say that this will be the easiest poem they have ever written because it will be about themselves. The first line is their first name, the seco... more>>
Grade Level(s): 6-8, 9-12

Back to School Back Pack
Submitted by: Tamie Clark, 1st Grade, Jackson Elementary
I introduce myself to my class by bringing a backpack to school. In it I put several things that tell something about me: my favorite book, a picture of my family, a stuffed frog (since I collect them), a picture I have painted, etc... more>>
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5

Family Wreath
Submitted by: Joan G.
I collected family pictures of each of my students during our Introduction Day. I told the family I would probably not return these pictures. I then took the pictures and made a "family wreath", for the lonely days or when the students just missed home. This was a huge hit with all the families and the children. I plac... more>>
Grade Level(s): 1-2, 3-5

Get to know you bags
Submitted by: Bob Rickert, 3
During Open House I give my new students their first assignment. I supply a white paper bag for them to fill with five items that will tell the class a little about them. They fill the bags with pictures, magnets, small stuffed toys, medals, past report cards, awards, etc. Throughout the first day each student will share what's in their bag and why. I also fill a bag myself and go first. I show enthusiasm about every item that they show, they love the individual attention!
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5

Getting Acquainted
Submitted by: Robin, Grade 2
GetI like to have some get acquainted projects for the first few days. One thing I do is when I send my parents a welcoming letter, I ask that the children bring in a small bag of pictures and other small objects that could be part of a "me" collage. These collages are a good springboard for the children to discuss the... more>>
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2, 3-5

Getting to Know Each Other
Submitted by: Pam Gates, Grade 7
On the firat day of school do an activity to bring the class together such as a classroom survey. The students walk around and talk to the other students and fill out a questionairre. At the same time they are getting to know each other.
Grade Level(s): 3-5, 6-8

Getting to Know You
Submitted by: Stephanie, 6-8
During the first week of school I give my students a sheet of fill in questions that help me get to know them. Such as...if you had a secret and had to tell a friend, who would it be?, what is your biggest fear for the school year?, what are you looking forward to? I like to give these back to them at the end of the year and do it for the next year and see how their thoughts over the last nine months have changed.
Grade Level(s): 3-5, 6-8

Introducing the Teacher
Submitted by: Sherry L., 4th Grade
I created a "book about me" on myself. I used photographs of myself as I was growing up. The photos began at birth through high school graduation. I wrote a very simple story about what I wanted to be as I was growing up. I used repetitive phrases and titled the story "Can I, Dad?". On the first day of school, I ... more>>
Grade Level(s): 1-2, 3-5

Making An Important Book
Submitted by: Robin Long
On the first day of school I read The Important Book by Margaret Wise Brown. I review paragraph writing and instruct them to write a paragraph following the same format as the book about themselves. I also do the same. After the rough drafts are written they are to do a final draft and attach it to a white piece of pap... more>>
Grade Level(s): 1-2, 3-5

Me Puppets
Submitted by: Gail W., Grade 2
On the first day of school (unlike the remaining days of the school year), the children are usually reluctant to talk about themselves. We make "me" puppets using paper plates for the head, yarn for the hair, and construction paper facial features, with a popscicle stick for a handle. Upon completion, we stage a puppet show. The children hide their faces with the puppets and tell their classmates all about their families, hobbies, pets, etc.
Grade Level(s): 1-2, 3-5

Names Word Search
Submitted by: Denise Trimino, Special Needs 4th-6th grade
In order for my students to get to know their classmates, I create a word search with the names of my students. After all the names are found the remaining letters reveal the hidden message "welcome back to school." This website is great for creating various types of puzzles Puzzlemaker.com
Grade Level(s): 1-2, 3-5, 6-8

Our Favorite Things
Submitted by: Cara Koen, 3rd/4th
On the first day of school, I introduce myself to the class, and I tell them that they are going to unscramble some words that I have placed on the board. The scrambled words are a list of my favorite things, but I do not reaveal this to the students. After the students have worked to unscramble the words, I ask for vo... more>>
Grade Level(s): 3-5, 6-8

People in My Family Assessment
Submitted by: Barbara, 2nd grade teacher
On the first day or shortly thereafter, I have the children draw a picture of their family, but the rule is: only the people that live in their house. It's amazing to see how unsure some children are. It gives a lot of good information to the teacher. For younger children, they dictate the names and ages of family members, for older students, they can write them themselves.
Grade Level(s): K, 1-2

Snowball Fight
Submitted by: Kelly Creed
I give everyone a white sheet of paper. Along with their name, I ask them to write one thing they are excited about, one thing they are nervous about, and one thing they would like to learn. (They can draw a picture if they aren't able to write yet.) We wad it up and have a snowball fight with our paper. Then, we al... more>>
Grade Level(s): 1-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

Snowball Fight!
Submitted by: Betsy Pollard
To get to know each other and have a "ball" at the same time, I always incorporate "Snowball Fight" into my first day of school activities. Give the students a clean sheet of white unlined paper. Have them write 3-5 unique things about themselves. Tell them NOT to put their name on the paper. Next, have them crunch the... more>>
Grade Level(s): 1-2, 3-5

Teacher True/False Quiz
Submitted by: Amy Kirshen
About a week after school starts I pass out a true/false quiz about myself. I have 10 statements about myself, which deal with things I'd like the students to know about me, and some random true facts that they always think are false. Once the students have silently taken the quiz, we go through the statements together... more>>
Grade Level(s): 3-5, 6-8, 9-12