You have avoided it long enough but now it’s time to start searching for teacher first day activities that don’t suck. You’re an amazing ELA teacher! And you know better than to just review the paperwork. You even know that icebreakers are major cringe right now for high school students. So right after your teacher first day introduction, what are you going to do? You need to bring creativity, choice, academic content, and fun into that first day. But how can you do all of that? Well, friend, I have you covered! I have tested out some amazing activities for your first day that will help bring the wow factor to your classroom. Check out my top five teacher first day activities below. And get ready to be known as the cool teacher for this year!
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Why Ditch Reading the Class Syllabus on Day 1?
Students Want Community Not Lectures
You know how that first day back at inservice you just want to ease into thinking about school? Your students feel the same way. They haven’t had to be a proper student for a few months. And now we are throwing them right back into it. Students don’t want to have to sit all day. Just like us teachers, they need to build up their school stamina. So when we ask them to just listen to us explain everything that they can already read. We are torturing them… slowly.
What students really want is the chance to connect. While they have seen some friends over the summer. They haven’t seen them all. And, just like teachers, they want a chance to chat. Now, I am not saying give them 80 minutes of free time. But, let’s stop the lectures! We are creative ELA teachers. And, we can find better ways to engage our students on Day 1.
Everyone Else Will Be Reading A Syllabus
None of our students want to listen to one teacher read what they can read on their own. And they certainly don’t want to do that for four to five times for 7 hours on that first day. I have always been a fan of going against the grain and doing what other teachers don’t. And this is a great time to do that! Set yourself apart as the engaging teacher on Day 1. And you will be building your student relationships right away.
Set a Better Tone for the Year
When I think about that first day, I want my students to know what I expect from them. And, I want them to feel the vibe for my course. Am I ever going to stand and talk at them for a whole class period. Never! So why would I come out of the gate with a completely different approach then my normal class day. When you create stations for your students. You are saying that you want your students to have choice. And, you want them to be active participants in their learning. Let them get to see the real you on Day 1.
Five First Day Activities Stations That I Do in My Classroom
Teacher First Day Activities #1: Canva Creations
Forget the icebreakers! Challenge your students to create a Canva All About Me Design. Students love having the chance to share about themselves. Plus, these Canva creations are a great way to create a visual to help you remember your students better.
Start the school year with a creative activity by having students design a “Getting to Know You” slide using Canva. This exercise not only helps you quickly learn students’ names and interests but also fosters connection and interaction. It’s a perfect way to gauge their tech skills and problem-solving abilities.
Here’s what I ask students to include in their Canva slides to help me get to know them:
- Name: Whether it’s a nickname, preferred name, or full name—whatever they feel comfortable using. (Though creative names like “T Swift’s #1 Fan” will not make the cut!)
- Selfie: A picture of themselves to put a face to the name.
- Descriptive Word or Phrase: A term they feel represents them, which will tie into our first unit on Identity and Perception.
- Images and Graphics of Interests: Such as books, movies, TV shows, hobbies, family members, or pets.
- Future Career Aspiration: An update on the classic “What I Want to Be When I Grow Up” to keep us in the “Cool Teacher” zone.
- Motto or Favorite Quote: Something that inspires them or captures their outlook on life.
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Teacher First Day Activities #2: Syllabus Signing
I’ve always been a tech enthusiast, and in today’s digital world, I want my students to feel at ease using technology for everything. I share my syllabus in two ways. First, I created a “Meet the Teacher” one-pager that focuses on the must-know details:
- A Little About Me: My teaching philosophy and how to contact me.
- Important Policies: Things like cellphone use, plagiarism, and late work.
- How Grading Works
- Units We’ll Cover This Semester
- A Photo of Me: Mainly for parents, so they have a face to remember!
Students can scan a QR code to view my “Meet the Teacher” PDF and get up to speed on all the essentials. Once they know what to expect, they scan another QR code for my Syllabus Google Form. There, they’ll answer a few questions about the rules and sign by typing their name to show they get it. This way, I have all their “signatures” neatly organized in a Google Sheet for future reference.
I also send the “Meet the Teacher” one-pager and Syllabus Google Form directly to all parents, asking them to sign it as well. While I encourage students to share the link with their parents for signatures, I want to make sure parents have access to these important documents in case the students forget. Plus, this way, parents have my contact information for the semester. Sending that first email opens the door for parents to reach out to me, which is my preferred method of communication, and helps establish a positive connection from the start.
If you want to create a visual syllabus just like mine, check out my Back to School Bundle!
Teacher First Day Activities #3: DJ Station
“Hey Mr. DJ!” Music is the way to my students’ hearts. Whenever we have work time in class, I like to have music playing. I usually go for instrumental tracks to help with focus, but my students often find my classical selections (even instrumental versions of popular songs) a bit boring.
At this station, students can suggest songs (school-appropriate, of course) for our class playlist. I use a Google Form for this because it’s easy, and since their names are attached, it helps keep the suggestions appropriate. I also remind them that the more songs they suggest, the fewer Taylor Swift tracks I’ll add. Even though I’m a big fan of Taylor, not all my high schoolers share the same enthusiasm! If you know me, you know I’m always finding ways to bring Taylor Swift into the classroom.
Once I have all the suggestions, I create a new Spotify playlist named after the class, semester, and year, and start adding the songs. If I recognize and trust a song, I’ll add it right away. For songs I’m not familiar with, I’ll listen first to check the content before including them. Whenever we’re working independently, I play the Spotify playlist, and we enjoy their song choices. Students love hearing their own selections and always ask when their song will come up next.
If you want your DJ Playlist station set up for you with all the forms and resources you need, check out my Back to School Bundle.
Teacher First Day Activities #4: Classroom Expectations
At this station, give students the opportunity to create a list of classroom expectations. They can focus on anything from behavior and procedures to seating arrangements. In particular, high school students value classroom ownership because they often feel like adults but rarely have a say in their day-to-day experiences. By allowing them to establish fair expectations, you help them feel like this is their community. Interestingly, students often propose stricter rules than I typically enforce!
Afterward, I compiled all their suggestions into a visually appealing classroom expectations poster that hangs at the front of the room for the rest of the semester. This way, I can refer back to this list whenever students start getting a little too rowdy or begin testing the boundaries, which tends to happen as the semester progresses.
Check out my Back to School Bundle, if you want to my classroom expectations templates.
Teacher First Day Activities #5: Wonders and Worries Box
Creating a “Wonders & Worries” Digital Box is an excellent way to give students a voice without fear of judgment. Since not all students are naturally outgoing, it’s important to provide a space where everyone can share their thoughts and ideas. This “Wonders & Worries” box allows students to scan a QR code and fill out a Google Form to express their feelings about the school year, the class, or even me as a teacher.
If you want to create a more traditional box experience, provide paper and flair pens for students to jot down their wonders and worries anonymously. Set up a box or container where they can drop in their notes when they’re finished.
Grab my Wonders and Worries cards as a part of my Back to School Bundle.
More Ideas for First Day Warm Up Activities
The Taylor Swift Classroom: How to Transform Your First Day of School
Five First Week of Class Activities for High School ELA
The Ultimate Guide to First Day Class Activities That High School Students Love
7 Amazing Activities For the First Day of Class in High School
Now you know the five activities I love using on the first day of school! I hope you can take these ideas and adapt them to fit your style. Your students thrive on structure, and incorporating these activities can make your classroom feel more like a community. If you’re looking for some help getting started, check out my Back to School Bundle. It’s a great way to establish routines and set the tone for a successful year. Plus, with this bundle, you’ll always be prepared for what comes next!
If you found this blog post helpful and want more insights, check out the rest of my blog posts at www.theteacherrewrite.com and follow me on Instagram @theteacherrewrite. I focus on ELA resources, tips, and tricks to make your life easier without requiring you to rewrite your curriculum. Let me handle the hard work for you! I hope to see you there. And as always, remember to think smart, not hard. Be sure to snag these five teacher first day activities for your classroom!
