More First Day
of School Ideas Lisa Kihn
Door Decoration
- On a large piece of butcher paper cut out
the number of the grade you teach. Try to make this number as
big as your classroom door. For example, I teach sixth grade and
so I cut out a giant 6.
- Cut this number into puzzle pieces that
the children can reassemble to form that number.
- Have this “puzzle piece” on each
desk as your students walk in. Ask students to write their name
on the piece and add pictures or words that describe them. Decorate
nicely with markers. For example, I wrote my name in the center
and added a picture of a book, a mountain and a smiling face.
I explained to the class that I chose these symbols because they
describe me. I like to read, hike in the mountains and I consider
myself a happy person who likes to smile.
- Ask your students to share their pieces
with the class and then work on the floor to put the pieces together
to form the number. Tape it together and put it on your classroom
door.
Nametags
This activity is similar to the one above, except
that you ask students to make a nametag that can sit on their desk.
- Fold a piece of construction paper in half
so that it can stand up on a desk.
- Ask students to write their name (or any
nicknames they like to be called) on the front. On the back have
them write several words or phrases that describe them. Show an
example, (see above).
- Have students share their nametags with
the class. Keep them on their desks for the first week of school,
until you learn everybody’s name.
Introduction Game
This is a great activity to do on the first
day with new students who may not all know each other.
- Have students pair up with each other and
choose someone that they don’t already know.
- Give students two minutes to find out the
other person’s name and then three things that they have
in common. They must talk fast!
- I usually model this activity by bringing
a volunteer up, asking his name and then quickly asking him questions
such as, “Do you have any brothers or sisters?” “Do
you have any pets?” Where were you born?” “What
is your favorite subject in school?” “What is your
favorite food?” “What sports do you play?” etc.
- After completing this activity, ask partners
to introduce each other and share the things they had in common
with the class.
- At the very end you can see if there were
any things that the entire class had in common.
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