Ask AI
As the new school year kicks off, it’s important to create a welcoming and engaging environment that helps students get to know each other, share their summer experiences, and build a strong classroom community.
In this edition of ThinkFives’ Ask AI series, we present the Top 5 Activities that K-12 teachers can use to make the first days of school both fun and memorable. Whether you’re teaching high school, middle school, or early elementary, these activities can be easily adapted to fit your students’ needs.
Summer Snapshot Collage
Kick off the school year by having students create a “Summer Snapshot Collage.” Ask them to bring in or draw pictures that represent their summer experiences—whether it’s a vacation, a hobby they explored, or simply their favorite summer activity. Each student can present their collage to the class, allowing everyone to share a bit about their summer.
High School: Encourage students to create digital collages using tools like Canva or Google Slides, then present them as part of a tech-savvy classroom project.
Middle School: Students can work in pairs or small groups to create their collages, promoting collaboration and discussion about their summers.
Early Elementary: Provide magazines and simple cut-out shapes for younger students to create their collages. This can be a fun, hands-on way to practice fine motor skills.
Classroom Scavenger Hunt
A Classroom Scavenger Hunt is a great way to familiarize students with their new environment and each other. Create a list of items or areas within the classroom (e.g., the art supplies, the class library, a classmate who has a pet) and have students work in pairs or small groups to find them all. This activity encourages teamwork and helps students feel more comfortable in their new surroundings.
High School: Make the scavenger hunt more challenging by incorporating clues related to the subject matter you’ll be covering in the first few weeks.
Middle School: Add a social twist by including tasks that require students to interact with classmates they might not know well.
Early Elementary: Keep the scavenger hunt simple with pictures and large, easily identifiable items. Guide them through the process with hints and encouragement.
Two Truths and a Lie
This classic icebreaker game never fails to get students engaged and talking. Each student shares two true statements and one false statement about themselves. The rest of the class tries to guess which statement is the lie. It’s a fun way to learn interesting facts about each other and spark conversation.
High School: Encourage students to be creative and incorporate some humor or unusual facts to make the game more entertaining.
Middle School: Keep it light and fun, allowing students to explore their personalities and share hobbies or interests.
Early Elementary: Simplify the activity by helping younger students formulate their truths and lie, possibly by working with a partner or as a whole class.
Time Capsule Project
Start the school year by creating a classroom time capsule. Have each student contribute something small that represents who they are at the beginning of the year—this could be a short note, a drawing, or an object that holds personal significance. Seal the time capsule and set a date to open it at the end of the school year.
High School: Students can write letters to their future selves, setting goals or reflecting on their current thoughts and aspirations.
Middle School: Focus on personal growth and change. Have students predict what they’ll learn or achieve by the end of the year.
Early Elementary: Encourage creativity by having students draw pictures of themselves or their favorite things to include in the time capsule.
Classroom Agreements
Building a positive classroom culture starts with setting clear expectations together. Engage students in creating a set of classroom agreements or a “Class Constitution.” Discuss values like respect, responsibility, and kindness, and have students suggest rules or principles that everyone should follow. Once the list is complete, have everyone sign it to show their commitment.
High School: Frame this as a discussion about mutual respect and the role of each individual in maintaining a positive learning environment.
Middle School: Involve students in a collaborative process, allowing them to discuss and debate what’s important in their classroom community.
Early Elementary: Keep it simple with basic rules, using visual aids like pictures or icons to help younger students understand and remember the agreements.
Do you have any great suggestions for the beginning of the school year?