Back-to-school season along with the anticipation of the first day of school is unlike any other time of year.
![first day of school welcome back](https://i0.wp.com/krejcicreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/minions.gif?fit=480%2C216&ssl=1)
Whether you are setting up your classroom, purchasing materials, creating class lists, making seating charts, or preparing for the first day of school, the work is never finished! As a teacher, you learn to prioritize, and first-day lesson plans are the one thing that just has to wait until it’s absolutely necessary.
When you do sit down to plan out that first day of school, keep in mind your students will be very curious, and many will feel anxious. They want to know more about their classmates, teachers, grade level, and their daily schedule (like when are lunch and recess exactly?) Plan activities around these curiosities and you’ll have an attentive and engaged group of students.
Here are my favorite icebreakers and lessons for the first day of school.
First Day Icebreaker #1
One of my favorite activities to use on the first day of school is called Find A Friend.
This activity is ideal for upper elementary students and allows them to move around while learning about each other.
![find a friend first day activity](https://i0.wp.com/krejcicreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/find-a-friend-mockup.png?fit=1024%2C749&ssl=1)
Students simply sign their initials on a friend’s paper when something is true about themselves (loves to dance, likes country music, has been to another country, has a cat for a pet, etc.)
For timid students, it’s great because they don’t have to do much talking but can still interact. Be sure to grab a paper for yourself and complete the activity right along with your students!
First Day Icebreaker #2
This next activity, Would You Rather, is perfect to use as a time filler or when you feel students need a short break. They are absorbing a ton of information on the first day of school, so breaking it up with this fun question game is always appreciated!
![first day would you rather](https://i0.wp.com/krejcicreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/would-you-rather.png?fit=1024%2C656&ssl=1)
This icebreaker comes in digital and printable formats. I love using it during dismissal to keep them quiet and entertained. You can even let a few student volunteers read the questions!
First Day Activity: Classroom A vs. B
Now, onto actual lessons. On the first full day of school, I teach students a lesson called “Classroom A vs. Classroom B.” The objective is for students to understand how their actions can determine what activities we can do as a class. If you listen to podcasts, this lesson was the first topic I covered on Elementary Math Chat!
![first day activity classroom a vs b](https://i0.wp.com/krejcicreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/EP1-1.png?fit=1024%2C1024&ssl=1)
EP 1: How to Take Control of Your Classroom on Day 1
First, we begin with Classroom A. If our principal walked into Classroom A, he or she would be amazed and proud! Students in this room are engaged, on task, responsible, kind, productive, and enjoy learning. Classroom A stands for Classroom AWESOME.
Then, we move to Classroom B. If our principal walked into Classroom B, he or she would have major concerns. Students in this room are not paying attention, shouting out during the lesson, not completing their work, are bossy and mean to each other, and are not enjoying school. Classroom B stands for Classroom BAD.
![first day activity classroom a vs b](https://i0.wp.com/krejcicreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/mockup-for-blog-1.png?fit=1024%2C484&ssl=1)
We then discuss how students hold the power and how they can determine which classroom we will be. If they don’t believe me, I simply remind them how outnumbered I am. There’s only 1 teacher and 20+ of them!
Classroom "Bad"
Next, we discuss what our year would look like as Classroom A vs. Classroom B. I do get pretty serious during this section of the lesson. I want them to understand how their behavior is directly related to the classroom we will be.
If we have a classroom full of the behaviors listed on the left, what would that look and feel like? What kinds of activities could we do?
![first day activity classroom b slide](https://i0.wp.com/krejcicreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Slide7-1-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
I jot down student responses in the right column: distracting, frustrating, getting in trouble, not learning, not fun, failing, unfinished work, and extra homework are typically mentioned.
By the way, I always point out that homework is never a punishment. But if they can’t get work done in Classroom B, they may have to finish it at home.
I explain to my students that Classroom B won’t play games if I can’t trust them to be responsible and get along. They won’t be able to work around the room, do outdoor activities, or have choices with these behaviors.
We then discuss how it feels to imagine being in Classroom B. The mood drops a bit, and they get very quiet. I pose the question, who wants to be part of Classroom B? Not a single student raises their hand. I remind them of how their behaviors and actions determine which classroom we will be.
Classroom "Amazing"!
Here’s where the lesson takes an exciting turn. Imagine if we had an entire classroom full of students who show the behaviors listed on the left. What would that look like and feel like? What kinds of activities could we do this year?
![first day activity classroom A](https://i0.wp.com/krejcicreations.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Slide12-scaled.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1)
I jot down student responses in the right column: happy, lots of learning, having choices, making friends, experiments, games, electronics, rewards, and freedom are often mentioned.
I then have them raise their hand if they want to be part of Classroom A. The hands shoot up with excitement!
Wrapping up the lesson
To wrap up the lesson, I reinforce the main idea: In order for students to have Classroom A privileges, they must show me Classroom A behaviors. So, what happens when they don’t?
Unfortunately, this might occur. In the beginning, it’s important to say things like “Classroom A will get to play a math game today for practice. Classroom B will have to work in the workbook instead. Refer back to the chart you made on Day 1.
Finally, make sure you follow through with your expectations. I have ended certain activities because there were too many Classroom B behaviors. Instead of doing a hands-on science experiment, they had to read out of the textbook instead. However, I’m happy to say that I’ve never had to do this twice in the same year! They learn from mistakes and take future warnings and prompts more seriously.
Click HERE or on the image below to grab a FREE copy of this editable PowerPoint lesson, perfect for back-to-school season!
I hope you found these first day of school tips helpful! For more info on the resources mentioned, click below.
Enjoy getting to know your students, and have a wonderful school year!
Until next time,
Happy Teaching!
-Annamarie
P.S. If you’re looking for 4th grade math lessons for the first week, read this BLOG POST with helpful tips and resources!