The first day back to school after summer break can be nerve-wracking for students and teachers. New names, faces, and a new classroom setting can push anyone outside their comfort zone. These ideas for welcoming students back in style put you and your students at ease, build community, and ease youngsters into the new school year!
Before the First Day
Send a Welcome Email or Postcard
Start welcoming students while they’re still on summer vacation. Middle and high school students might enjoy a short email sent through the school’s program. Younger students would enjoy a postcard or note from school that introduces you as their teacher.
Post a Voice or Video Message
Welcome students and parents by recording and posting a video message on the school site or to each of them directly. This will help them feel more familiar with you before the first day.
Day 1 Classroom Decor
Bulletin Board Teacher Feature
Students are always curious about who their teacher is and what their interests are outside the classroom, so let yourself be the star of the first week.
Add a Cozy Nook
If space allows, create a cozy reading or activity nook that shows students there is room for relaxation and enjoyment in your classroom and not just work. Add some calming sensory solutions for an inclusive space that everyone can enjoy.
Community-Building Seating Arrangement
Strong community spirit can make the school year enjoyable for everyone. Arrange desks in a horseshoe, squared-off U-shape, or in small groups. Try to situate your teacher’s desk so you don’t appear far removed from students.
These seating arrangements allow students to get to know you and one another more quickly. Using modular or mobile flexible seating options can make it easy to switch things up during the school year to better suit your class’s needs.
Activities to Welcome Students
Create Student Time Capsules
Take a picture of each student in your classroom. Have students fill out a worksheet to share how they feel on the first day, who they know in the classroom, their goals, and their likes and dislikes.
Use large envelopes or decorated paper towel tubes with the ends sealed off as individual time capsules. Repeat the activity during the last week and open the time capsules for comparison.
Develop a Classroom Mission Statement
Work with the whole class to develop a mission statement that promotes safety, encourages learning, and values students as individuals. Even though you lead the students on this activity, they’ll have a sense of ownership and community because they helped create the mission statement.
Icebreaker Scavenger Hunt
Encourage students to get to know one another and their classroom with a first-day scavenger hunt. Use a bingo-like sheet and fill half of the squares with places and items in the classroom. Fill the rest with student-centered descriptions such as “likes to eat vegetables,” “has broken a bone,” or “read 10 books over the summer.”
We love hearing how creative teachers welcome their students back to school in the fall. Let us know in the comments how you start each school year!
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