Can you believe it!? It’s already that time in the summer when we start to think about going back to school! I know, I know you want to enjoy the last fleeting weeks and do not even want to think about back to school night, classroom supplies, organizing the classroom, or anything else. But you can bookmark this post and come back to it because I’ve got some fun back to school ideas for teachers you are totally gonna want to use when it’s time!
3 Back To School Ideas For Teachers
You’re heading back into the classroom for another school year. My guess is you are looking for fun activities to do with your class on the first day. Maybe you need a couple of back to school night ideas because you want it to be memorable. Here are 3 fun back to school ideas for teachers to use!
Student Photo Booth
I love when primary teachers take a photo of the students at the beginning of the year and the end of the year. By the time they get to the upper grades (4th-5th), students are over it. They have no desire to hold another first day of school/last day of school sign. So I had to come up with a new idea. This was when my student photo booth was born. It may be one of the most fun back to school ideas for teachers yet!
One of my favorite ways to use the student photo booth is for the first/last day of school photos. Students love to grab a photo prop and strike a pose. Having photo props makes it so much more fun for the students. It’s a lot of fun to see if they pick the same prop at the beginning and end of the year. I sometimes make it my mission to make the “Can I graduate yet?” student into the “This kid loves reading” by the end of the year. You can email the pictures to the parents at the beginning and end of the year or print them out.
It’s also a great option to have at back to school night or meet the teacher night. It will keep kids busy while you are discussing your classroom and teaching with the parents. Plus, it is a cute souvenir for the students to take home with them! If you are using the photo booth at one of these events. I suggest having a polaroid camera or some way to print them quickly. Also, don’t forget the props. Parents love them too!
I have my photo booth available at a range of different events, and It’s one of the school activities that former students always come running for when they visit me!
School Scavenger Hunt
A school scavenger hunt is a perfect back to school night activity for your families. Give your families a list of places/objects they must find around the school. Have the students bring the completed list on the first day of school (or the next day they see you). It’s a great way to get students used to the school’s layout or to show parents all of the great things available at their child’s school.
You can also use a scavenger hunt with older students during the first few days of school as well. Give them a list of things they need to find throughout the school, and have them take a picture with each object, person, or place! Kids love to explore the school independently! Just make sure you let your principal and co-workers know they have permission from you to be wandering the halls. 😉😉
Minute To Win It/ Relay Races
These games are the perfect community building activities needed during the first few days of school. You are always looking for ways to bring social emotional learning into the school classroom. Using these types of games in the upper-grade levels is a perfect way to help teach teamwork, sportsmanship, and whatever other needs you see your students need.
You can find lists upon lists of free minute to win it game ideas, including face the cookie, apples away, and wrap it up
During the first week of school, it’s normally still pretty hot in many states. It’s a great time to get students outdoors and have some fun. Try to bring in a relay game each of the first days for a school activity all your students will love. You can do toilet paper mummies, the sponge and bucket game, or even a simple obstacle course relay race.
Welcome Back To School Ideas For Teachers
These are just three of the many things I do during the first couple of days of school. Obviously, we are always reviewing our classroom management and using these fun opportunities to help students learn our expectations during free and unstructured time. So, don’t worry about heading back to school. There is always some back to school fun to be had by all! I’d love to know some other back to school activities ideas you have! Comment below some of your favorites!
Don’t forget to check out my other back to school posts:
5 Back To School Science Activities
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