teaching resource

Interview a Classmate - First Day of School Activity

Updated: 17 Jul 2023

Help your students learn more about their new classmates (even if they have been together for the last 5 years) with this fun speaking and listening activity!

Editable: Google Slides
Non-Editable: PDF
Pages: 1 Page
Grades: 2 - 6

Curriculum

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1.A

Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1.B

Build on others' talk in conversations by linking their comments to the remarks of others.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.3

Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to clarify comprehension, gather additional information, or deepen understanding of a topic or issue.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.4

Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly in coherent sentences.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.3

Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.4

Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1.C

Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information, and make comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks of others.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.4

Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an organized manner, using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1.C

Pose and respond to specific questions by making comments that contribute to the discussion and elaborate on the remarks of others.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.4

Report on a topic or text or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1.C

Pose and respond to specific questions with elaboration and detail by making comments that contribute to the topic, text, or issue under discussion.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.4

Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

ELAR 2.1(A)

Listen actively, ask relevant questions to clarify information, and answer questions using multi-word responses;
ELAR 2.1(C)

Share information and ideas that focus on the topic under discussion, speaking clearly at an appropriate pace and using the conventions of language;
ELAR 2.1(D)

Work collaboratively with others by following agreed-upon rules for discussion, including listening to others, speaking when recognized, making appropriate contributions, and building on the ideas of others; and
ELAR 2.1(E)

Develop social communication such as distinguishing between asking and telling.
ELAR 3.1(A)

Listen actively, ask relevant questions to clarify information, and make pertinent comments;
ELAR 3.1(C)

Speak coherently about the topic under discussion, employing eye contact, speaking rate, volume, enunciation, and the conventions of language to communicate ideas effectively;
ELAR 3.1(D)

Work collaboratively with others by following agreed-upon rules, norms, and protocols; and
ELAR 3.1(E)

Develop social communication such as conversing politely in all situations.
ELAR 4.1(A)

Listen actively, ask relevant questions to clarify information, and make pertinent comments;
ELAR 4.1(C)

Express an opinion supported by accurate information, employing eye contact, speaking rate, volume, enunciation, and the conventions of language to communicate ideas effectively; and
ELAR 4.1(D)

Work collaboratively with others to develop a plan of shared responsibilities.
ELAR 5.1(A)

Listen actively to interpret verbal and non-verbal messages, ask relevant questions, and make pertinent comments;
ELAR 5.1(C)

Give an organized presentation employing eye contact, speaking rate, volume, enunciation, natural gestures, and conventions of language to communicate ideas effectively; and
ELAR 5.1(D)

Work collaboratively with others to develop a plan of shared responsibilities.
ELAR 6.1(A)

Listen actively to interpret a message, ask clarifying questions, and respond appropriately;
ELAR 6.1(C)

Give an organized presentation with a specific stance and position, employing eye contact, speaking rate, volume, enunciation, natural gestures, and conventions of language to communicate ideas effectively; and
ELAR 6.1(D)

Participate in student-led discussions by eliciting and considering suggestions from other group members, taking notes, and identifying points of agreement and disagreement.

teaching resource

Interview a Classmate - First Day of School Activity

Updated: 17 Jul 2023

Help your students learn more about their new classmates (even if they have been together for the last 5 years) with this fun speaking and listening activity!

Editable: Google Slides
Non-Editable: PDF
Pages: 1 Page
Grades: 2 - 6

Help your students learn more about their new classmates (even if they have been together for the last 5 years) with this fun speaking and listening activity!

Interview a Classmate! The Perfect First Day of School Activity!

Partner up your students using a random partner generator or by using our Random Name Picker online app.
Give each student a copy of the Interview a Classmate Template.
Student A will ask all of the questions on the template to Student B and will record their responses.
Student B will ask all of the questions on the template to Student A and will record their responses.
Student A will introduce Student B to the class using their responses.
Student B will introduce Student A to the class using their responses.

To use this resource virtually, assign each student a partner, and provide them with the Interactive Google Slide version of the Interview a Classmate Template. Then, have each set of partners hold a virtual meeting to ask each other the questions. Hold a class meeting where students will introduce their partners to the entire class.

Easily Download & Print Your Back-to-School Activity

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

You can also turn this teaching resource into a sustainable activity! Project the worksheet onto a screen and have students record their partner’s answers on notebook paper or a mini dry-erase board.

Don’t stop there! We’ve got more first day of school activities you have been looking for:

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Implement a text features project with an “All About Me” theme to explore informational text features with your students.

Curriculum

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1.A

Follow agreed-upon rules for discussions (e.g., gaining the floor in respectful ways, listening to others with care, speaking one at a time about the topics and texts under discussion).
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.1.B

Build on others' talk in conversations by linking their comments to the remarks of others.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.3

Ask and answer questions about what a speaker says in order to clarify comprehension, gather additional information, or deepen understanding of a topic or issue.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.4

Tell a story or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking audibly in coherent sentences.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.1

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.3

Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.3.4

Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience with appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details, speaking clearly at an understandable pace.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 4 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1.C

Pose and respond to specific questions to clarify or follow up on information, and make comments that contribute to the discussion and link to the remarks of others.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.4

Report on a topic or text, tell a story, or recount an experience in an organized manner, using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 5 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.1.C

Pose and respond to specific questions by making comments that contribute to the discussion and elaborate on the remarks of others.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.5.4

Report on a topic or text or present an opinion, sequencing ideas logically and using appropriate facts and relevant, descriptive details to support main ideas or themes; speak clearly at an understandable pace.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1

Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 6 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.1.C

Pose and respond to specific questions with elaboration and detail by making comments that contribute to the topic, text, or issue under discussion.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.6.4

Present claims and findings, sequencing ideas logically and using pertinent descriptions, facts, and details to accentuate main ideas or themes; use appropriate eye contact, adequate volume, and clear pronunciation.

ELAR 2.1(A)

Listen actively, ask relevant questions to clarify information, and answer questions using multi-word responses;
ELAR 2.1(C)

Share information and ideas that focus on the topic under discussion, speaking clearly at an appropriate pace and using the conventions of language;
ELAR 2.1(D)

Work collaboratively with others by following agreed-upon rules for discussion, including listening to others, speaking when recognized, making appropriate contributions, and building on the ideas of others; and
ELAR 2.1(E)

Develop social communication such as distinguishing between asking and telling.
ELAR 3.1(A)

Listen actively, ask relevant questions to clarify information, and make pertinent comments;
ELAR 3.1(C)

Speak coherently about the topic under discussion, employing eye contact, speaking rate, volume, enunciation, and the conventions of language to communicate ideas effectively;
ELAR 3.1(D)

Work collaboratively with others by following agreed-upon rules, norms, and protocols; and
ELAR 3.1(E)

Develop social communication such as conversing politely in all situations.
ELAR 4.1(A)

Listen actively, ask relevant questions to clarify information, and make pertinent comments;
ELAR 4.1(C)

Express an opinion supported by accurate information, employing eye contact, speaking rate, volume, enunciation, and the conventions of language to communicate ideas effectively; and
ELAR 4.1(D)

Work collaboratively with others to develop a plan of shared responsibilities.
ELAR 5.1(A)

Listen actively to interpret verbal and non-verbal messages, ask relevant questions, and make pertinent comments;
ELAR 5.1(C)

Give an organized presentation employing eye contact, speaking rate, volume, enunciation, natural gestures, and conventions of language to communicate ideas effectively; and
ELAR 5.1(D)

Work collaboratively with others to develop a plan of shared responsibilities.
ELAR 6.1(A)

Listen actively to interpret a message, ask clarifying questions, and respond appropriately;
ELAR 6.1(C)

Give an organized presentation with a specific stance and position, employing eye contact, speaking rate, volume, enunciation, natural gestures, and conventions of language to communicate ideas effectively; and
ELAR 6.1(D)

Participate in student-led discussions by eliciting and considering suggestions from other group members, taking notes, and identifying points of agreement and disagreement.

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