Still need a few ideas? Read on for some tips from our teacher team on what to do on the first day of school, plus some inspiring first day of school quotes to share with your students!
First Day of School 2024 Activities & Worksheets for Primary Classrooms
Dive into a curated collection of teacher-created first-day-of-school activities, printables and icebreakers to help your students settle in and feel comfortable whether they're starting their very first day in primary school or just their first day of the 2024 school year! This collection of printables and digital activities for teachers to use on the first day of the school year was created by the expert Australian teacher team at Teach Starter with an eye on providing teachers everything they need to make kids feel safe and respected from day one. Let your students know they've found a warm and welcoming classroom environment where they can thrive this school year! From activities that will help you set expectations early to printable forms you can use to collect important student information and so much more, this collection has your entire day (and first week) covered!
Editor’s Picks
The best of the best hand-picked by our team of teachers.
- Free Plan
Never Have I Ever... Getting-to-know-you Game
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Collaborative Icebreaker - Back to School Scatter Game
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Back-to-School Countdown Mobile - Goal Setting Template
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Mindfulness Activities for Kids - Backpack Craft and Book
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Back to School Activity Mats - All Year Levels
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Project Based Back-to-School Activity - Plan an Excursion
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First Day of School 2024 Activities & Worksheets for Primary Classrooms
- Free Plan
My Goal Grid - Goal Setting Template
Set goals for the new school year with a printable goal-setting template for kids.
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Letter to the Teacher Template
Get to know your students with an all about me writing template.
- Free Plan
Student Interest Survey Pack
Use a Student Interest Survey to get to know your new students at the beginning of the school year.
- Free Plan
I Wish My Teacher Knew Activity Sheet
Add an ‘I Wish My Teacher Knew’ activity to your first-day plans to learn more about your new students.
- Plus Plan
Collaborative Icebreaker - Back to School Scatter Game
Start the school year with a collaborative game to initiate student introductions.
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Playdough Task Cards -Back to School Team Building
Use this set of Playdough challenge cards to foster team building in your classroom.
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Goal Setting Template (Mountain)
Set new goals for the school year with a printable goal setting template.
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Back to School Today — Short Poem for Kids
Use this short poem for kids when students return to school. This child-friendly poem discusses feelings that they may experience when heading back to school after an extended break.
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Count and Graph – In the Classroom
Practise collecting, sorting, and organising data to create a graph with this 2-page worksheet.
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My Hopes and Wishes Jar - Goal-Setting Activity
Sets goals for the new school year with a goal-setting activity.
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Yeti to Learn - Goal Setting Template
Get “Yeti” to learn with a fun goal-setting craft and writing prompt for back to school.
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Mindfulness Activities for Kids - Backpack Craft and Book
Promote mindfulness and social and emotional learning with this Mindfulness Backpack activity.
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Back to School - Getting to Know You Dice Roll
Play a back-to-school dice game for students to get to know their classmates.
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Icebreaker Bingo - First Day of School Game
Kick off a new school year with a Getting to Know You Icebreaker Bingo!
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Above and Below the Line Behaviours – Sorting Activity
Remind students of behaviours that are 'above the line,' 'below the line,' and 'bottom-line' with this sorting activity.
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Interview a Classmate - First Day of School Activity
Help your students learn more about their new classmates with this fun speaking and listening activity!
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Find a Friend Who…Worksheet
Encourage students to engage with different classmates and learn about others with this whole-class activity.
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Student Interest Survey - Upper Years
Learn your students' interests on Day 1 of a new school year with this student interest survey for the upper years.
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Behaviour Charades
Explore appropriate and inappropriate behaviors at the beginning of a new school year with a fun charade activity.
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What are Desk Pets? Introduction Slide Deck
Introduce your students to your Desk Pet Classroom Reward System with an engaging slide deck.
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Printable Take-Home Folder Covers
Customise and colour your own Take Home Folder inserts with editable and printable folder cover templates.
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Funky School Bus Craft Activity
Go for a ride on the Funky School Bus with a fun school bus craft for kids!
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I Can Follow the Rules at School – Mini-Book
Use this mini-book to review or introduce school and classroom rules to your primary students.
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Classroom Scavenger Hunt – PowerPoint Presentation
Take your students on a scavenger hunt to get to know their new classroom environment.
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