Whether you have been teaching for twenty years or just two it is important to start the year on the "write" note! Creating a classroom culture where students feel safe, loved and can learn is what every teacher wants for their classroom. So teachers start your year off with a few fun, personalized ways to say hello to your new group of students. Here's a few fun ideas to welcome your students back to school.
Whether you get your class list a month ahead or the week school starts it's never too late to send your new students a personal note. A simple postcard works just fine. A quick personal welcome note to say hello to your students is a great way to ease those first day jitters, and get your students excited about the year ahead. If you are like me and get your class list the day before your students arrive then you can simply have it waiting for them on their desk when they arrive. Your students will love reading a personal note from you to them.
Welcome your students back to school with a sweet treat. Whether you pass it out for a class snack time or hand it out at the end of your first day, everyone loves a treat. Just pick out your favorite wrapped class treat and add a fun welcome to class sticker. I prefer wrapped treats so if someone is absent their treat can be waiting on their desk when they return. A sweet treat is a great way to end your first day back at school.
Everyone loves receiving a personalized gift, especially your students. I love handing out personalized classroom pencils. The students absolutely treasure them and are so proud when they receive them. The first day is always stressful. As a reminder that they are all part of the class you can give them a welcome to my class bracelet. As they go to specials and lunch and travel around school throughout the day their bracelet can remind them that you are thinking of them and they are all part of your class family. Add both of these into a cute personalized treat bag and you have a cute personalized gift you can pass out to your students the first day of school.
Shop it
Have your students create some fun memories by taking photos with their new classmates. A personalized sign and some photo props can create some fun first day of school pics. These are great to add onto your class website or in your weekly newsletter home to parents. They also make a fun gift at the end of the year so the students can look back and see how much they have grown. Just customize yours with your school colors and some fun hashtags.
Have your students get to know each other in a fun way. Spread out some fun photo props around the room. Have students select 2 or 3 that describe who they are or something they like to do. This is a fun way to introduce themselves to their new friends in class. They can easily spot those that have some of the same interests or character traits. This is a great first day activity that your students will love!
Shop it