The first day of school brings a mix of excitement and nerves. For younger students, the first day of school is like a birthday party – exciting and a little scary! For older students, the first day of school is a rollercoaster – thrilling new beginnings with a side of nervousness. It’s also time to expand your social circle, acquire new friends, and get fresh insights. In this article, we will provide some activities to kick off the school year that teachers and students can use to prepare for the school year and help remove the anxiety and pressure from the back-to-school preparations. With the support of your children, you can create a community and embark on a journey together on the first day of school with these engaging activities.
5 Activities to Kick Off the School Year
Ask your students about their hopes and dreams
Asking students about their hopes and dreams at the start of the school year gets them excited and enthusiastic about learning in your classroom. It helps you get to know and understand their expectations and sets the stage for aiming high. Choose a quiet time and have the kids write their responses to the questions in their journals. Then, once everyone is done, come together and ask students who would like to share to do so.
Open up with a teacher Q&A
Holding a Q&A session is a great way for your students to get to know you better. Take center stage and invite them to ask questions. Or create a multiple-choice quiz about yourself and let students guess the answers. This will establish trust and help your students feel more comfortable with you, and it is also a great way to model how your morning circle will work.
Read first day-of-school books
Kids may experience various emotions on their first day of school (and sometimes adults, too!). Settle in with a few first-day-of-school novels to help calm your nerves. These stories mirror children’s experiences, from picking out a new outfit to meeting classmates and navigating a new classroom. Reading about these relatable situations can be a great conversation starter. Talk about the characters’ feelings and how they handled them. This opens the door for your child to share their own anxieties and excitement.
Connect with students through literature
Literature can be a powerful tool for bridging the gap, fostering a sense of connection, and setting the stage for a successful year. To engage students, select a short story, poem, or even a children’s book that touches on universal themes like friendship, overcoming challenges, or the excitement of starting something new. This can lead to discussions about what makes a good friend, how to deal with adversity, or simply the fun of exploring different personalities.
Go on a school supply scavenger hunt
Why not turn school supply shopping into an adventure to beat the back-to-school jitters and excite the students for a new year? Hide the supplies around the designated area. Present students with the scavenger hunt list and watch their excitement soar as they search for each item. Let them collect the supplies in a decorated backpack, adding a fun element.
Conclusion
In conclusion, activities to kick off the school year set a positive tone for the entire academic journey. By incorporating icebreakers, community-building exercises, and curriculum-related introductions, you can ensure a smooth transition back to school. Foster a sense of belonging among students and lay the groundwork for a successful learning year. Remember, these activities should be tailored to your student’s age and interests, allowing them to have fun while reacclimatizing the school environment and getting excited about the year ahead.
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