First Week of School Activities for Year 1 Students

The first week of school is such an exciting time for young learners. A brand-new classroom, new classmates and, of course, a new teacher are some of the exciting things year 1 students will experience as they enter a new year level. Documenting memories from the first week of school can be a great way to break the ice as well as practise those important writing skills that they will use during the course of the year.

Teach Starter has created a mini-book to help your students respond to different prompts to reflect on their first year in first grade. This printable mini-book includes 7 response pages and a cover page. Students will respond to prompts such as:

• What is your favourite subject and why?
• Write two things about your teacher.
• Who is your new friend? Write something you learned about them.

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

A team of dedicated, experienced educators created this resource to support your back-to-school lessons. 

If you have a mixture of above and below-level learners, check out these suggestions for keeping students on track with the concepts: 

🆘 Support Struggling Students

Students who struggle can use the suggestion boxes to complete the pages. These students may also need to answer the prompts by drawing and not writing.

➕ Challenge Fast Finishers

If there are students who need an additional challenge, encourage them to provide answers beyond the suggestion boxes.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource.

To assemble this mini book, simply print the book double-sided, cut down the middle and staple the pages along the left-hand side.

This resource was created by Samantha Rose, a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more activities and resources that cut down on lesson planning time:  

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Play a game of school related celebrity heads to develop teamwork and collaboration skills.

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Back to School – Listening Skills Refresh PowerPoint

Refresh student listening skills with a Back to School Listening Skill activity and and script.

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Back to School Activity Mats - All Year Levels

Use these back-to-school activity mats as your first day of school warm-up activity during morning arrival.