In my last blog post, I shared 5 fun icebreaker activities for the first school day to help foster friendships and build a positive classroom community from day one. In today’s blog post, I am sharing fun first week back at school activities ideas to help you and your students cope with the excitement, anxieties, and anticipation of returning to school.
Fun First Week Back At School Activities
First impressions are always the lasting ones, right?!
The first week back at school is a time for you and your students to connect and get to know each other.
Establish classroom routines, set rules and expectations, and most importantly (in my opinion) set the tone for your classroom community.
Incorporating fun and engaging back to school activities during the first week of school will foster friendships and inclusivity, and a love for learning.
Here are some fun first week back at school activities to kickstart the new school year with a bang!
A letter from your teacher on the first day of school
Use this inspiring letter to welcome your students into your life and classroom, all while reminding them of their unique strengths and abilities.
Reminding them that you are always there to guide them and support them whenever they need your guidance and support.
This letter is perfect for breaking barriers, connecting, and building trust with your student on the first day of school.
Boosting their morals and self-esteem.
Alternatively, you can use these groovy back to school gift tags for meet-the-teacher night or on the first day of school.
Self-esteem-building activities for kids
Use these super cute self-esteem-building worksheets and activities to boost your students’ confidence as they enter a new classroom and a new school year.
Your students will have so much fun as they identify what makes them special, fill their confidence jar, complete an I am positive poem, and more!
Take a peek at these self-esteem activities on TPT
Classroom rules and expectations
Set your classroom up for success this school year and foster a positive and structured learning environment from day one!
These classroom rules, posters, and activities are designed specifically for K-2 to reinforce key classroom expectations. You can display these on your bulletin boards or use them during morning meetings. A great tool for behavior management and classroom routines!
Shop classroom expectations visuals and worksheets
First day/week of school feelings
I dedicated an entire blog post to this first day of school resource because I think – when you can help kids feel safe and secure during this transition period, it can have a profound effect on the rest of their school year.
These first week of school feelings worksheets are designed for K-2 students to help them recognise and understand their emotions. And to be reminded that you are their to support them and help them weather these cloudy days.
Shop back to school feelings worksheets
All about my teacher
The first week of school is the perfect time to connect and build a strong and healthy relationship with your students.
These “all about my teacher” worksheets can help you do just that by sharing a bit about yourself with your students, such as your favorite place to vacation or perhaps things you would like to learn.
Explore This All About My Teacher Resource
All about me writing
The first week of school is a great time to get to know your students and help them get to know each other.
And that’s where this classic first week of school all about me writing activity packet comes into play.
Students get to share a little bit of themselves, about their families, their favorites, things that inspire them, and things that are not of interest to them.
Visit the 3rd & 4th Grades All About Me activity packet.
1st Grade All About Me activity packet.
Kindergarten All About Me activity packet.
PreK and Preschool All About Me activity packet.
Would you rather writing activities
Use these back-to-school would-you-rather writing prompts to get kids into a debate while teaching them that everyone’s opinion matters, even if their choices differ.
These back-to-school writing prompts are also a fun way to gauge your students’ writing abilities while helping them build fluency in their writing.
These back-to-school opinion writing prompts are designed for 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade students.
You could use these writing prompts as part of your:
- morning meet-ups.
- writing corners.
- small group discussions.
- independent work.
- fun Friday writing.
Growth Mindset Activities
The first week back to school is the perfect time to introduce growth mindset activities to help kids develop a positive attitude toward learning.
Encouraging students to embrace challenges, learn from mistakes, and persist through difficulties. Setting the tone for a successful school year.
My growth mindset activities are designed to engage kids in fun, reflective exercises that promote resilience and confidence.
From thought-provoking discussion prompts and “power of yet” exercises to fixed vs growth mindset, and goal-setting worksheets.
These activities are designed to help students shift their mindset from “I can’t do this” to “I can’t do this yet.”
By incorporating these engaging and interactive worksheets into your first-week plans, you’ll create an encouraging classroom environment. Ensuring your students feel empowered to learn, grow, and take on new challenges with confidence.
Shop My Growth Mindset Worksheets
Self-Esteem and Confidence-Building Worksheets
Similar to fostering a growth mindset, building self-esteem and self-confidence is essential for helping kids feel capable and motivated as they start a new school year.
My Self-Esteem and Self-Confidence Positive Self-Talk Activities and Worksheets are perfect for the first week back to school.
These worksheets will encourage your students to recognize their strengths, develop a positive self-image, and practice uplifting self-talk.
Through engaging activities like confidence-boosting journal prompts, “I Am” affirmation exercises, and self-reflection worksheets. Students will learn how to replace negative thoughts with empowering ones.
These confidence activities not only help students feel more confident in their abilities but also foster a supportive classroom environment where all students are encouraged to believe in themselves and their potential.
Shop Self-Esteem Building Worksheets
Flexible Thinking Activities, Social Problem Solving Scenarios
The first week back to school is also a great time to help your students develop essential life skills like flexible thinking and social problem-solving.
My flexible thinking activities and social problem-solving scenarios worksheets are designed to teach students how to adapt to new situations.
Consider different perspectives, and respond appropriately in social interactions.
Through engaging real-life scenarios, “What Would You Do?” exercises, and critical thinking challenges. Kids will practice thinking outside the box and developing positive solutions to everyday challenges.
These activities help foster a growth mindset and encourage empathy.
All while setting the foundation for a classroom environment where your students can navigate social situations with confidence and resilience.
Shop These What Would You Do Social Scenarios Worksheets
Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is right around the corner, so why not stock up on some fun teaching resources while getting your back-to-school shopping done?
Add this fun Hispanic Heritage Month activity packet to help your students embrace diversity and inclusivity through a culture widely celebrated in their country.
Activities included in this fun packet are:
- word scramble.
- word search,
- I Spy
- Guess the famous Hispanic Heritage quotes
- Hispanic Heritage trivia
Classroom community-building activities
EThe first week of school is the ideal opportunity to set the tone for your classroom community.
You could do so with icebreaker games and activities as mentioned earlier or you could choose to stock up on these character-building classroom management resources that would be handy during the school year.
These classroom community activities are geared towards 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grades.
- Whole class behavior management and self-esteem building worksheets.
- Flexible thinking worksheets
- Bullying prevention and conflict resolution situations
Bundle and Save With All Three Resources
Worksheets For The First Week Back To School
Starting the school year with engaging and enjoyable activities will set a positive tone for the academic year.
From icebreaker games to classroom community and character-building activities. All about me writing activities, to math and grammar resources.
The first week back to school is the perfect opportunity for students to connect, build relationships, foster empathy and kindness, and establish a supportive classroom community.
By incorporating fun activities into the curriculum, you would foster a love for learning and create an environment where students feel valued and excited to come to school each day.
Pin These First Week Of School Fun Activities
Head to your back-to-school Pinterest Board and save these fun first week back at school activities.
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