Free Choice Blog, Week 3, The Importance of a Good First Day of School

Free Choice Blog

                                                   Photo By Rick Stemple

The Importance of a Good First Day of School

The first day of school is very important for teacher as well as their students, it sets the tone sometimes for the week to come and sometimes the entire school year. With everyone getting ready for school I thought it would be great to talk about, what is your favorite “first day” activity?  Here’s some activities that I have done or have borrowed from other teachers that have been fun for the first day and sometimes continue to use as an icebreaker or as an introduction activity for my classes for the following weeks. For my kindergarten classes I would sometimes have the students learn the song “If your name is (insert name) stand up straight, and take a bow.” Every student gets to hear their name some other class and get to have a cool motion which is sometimes a great way to loosen up pre-K and kindergarten students are very nervous on the first day of school.  Kindergarten through second grade could also use the song “That’s a Mighty Pretty Motion” which older students can sing their name and create their own motions.

For my middle school students I would usually do a name game.  There are many variations of this game that can be used, which usually depends on the class. 

Variation #1:  This game is recommended for grades two through four. Students say their full name and their favorite fruit. Then they have to say their name and their favorite fruit in order as fast as they can and time them. You will need to have a stopwatch for this game. This not only gets students to learn each other’s names but is also a teambuilding exercise. The students have to find a way to beat the top score of 30 seconds. Hint: the directions said in order it didn’t say they could not say their names and fruit all the same time but do not tell them that, let the students figure it out for themselves. If they cannot figure it out the first class, let them try it the next time you meet.

Variation #2:  You also need a stopwatch and a soft Nerf like ball for this variation. I recommend  using this game for grades five through six.  Students should stand up and push their desks aside so they can sit in a circle. The directions are simple say your name and your favorite fruit and pass the ball, but remember the name and the fruit of the person you pass the ball to. They can passs the ball to anyone they want. You may want everyone to stand in as they pass the ball to someone they can sit down. That way they know who they can pass to next. The next round you have to only say the persons name and fruit you pass the ball to before you pass the ball to them.  If they forget who they pass to or the name of the person they can ask the class or that person, remember this is also a teambuilding exercise. Remember to time them each time they go through the entire class and remind them they should be getting faster and faster. Once they’ve tried several times you can remind them that the record is 40 seconds and that their only directions was to pass the ball, say the name and the fruit of the person they’re passing the ball to, and pass the ball in same order. Hint; students can arrange their order so it’s easier to pass the ball, or they can put the ball in the middle and touch it in order while saying each other’s name and fruit. Do not under any circumstances give them the hints. Just remind them of the rules or of the record and let them figure out their own solutions. It is always amazing to watch students group dynamic development and see your class work as a team for a common goal. There is no correct answer to this game however there are many variations. For teachers that have done this name game in the past try it with all the students sitting on the floor saying the name of their peer and peers favor fruit while passing the ball with their feet.

Variation #3: Create a bingo chart with questions in each square about students summer or about students. The students then have to go around the classroom and get signatures in each box to get bingo. The game is recommended for students in seventh and eighth grade. Students can only sign their name once and they cannot sign their own bingo card. This is a great way to get students out of their seats and to get to know each other a little better. Here are some sample questions you can use in the bingo card;

Someone who went to the beach.

Someone who visited another country.

Someone who visited another state.

Someone who has brown eyes. 

Someone who has green eyes.

Someone who has blue eyes.

Someone who is rode on a boat.

Someone who it  flown on a plane.

My favorite the free space.

Someone was seen a live concert.

Someone who is wearing green.

Someone who has or had braces.

Someone who has a pet.

Etc.etc

 Please share any first-day activities that you may have. Have a great school year.