AGHHH sorting through supplies with kids can be crazy if you don’t have a plan. They always come in with tons of materials and the chaos will ensue without activities to keep your new little kiddos engaged. I always have a couple different activities ready for kids so I can pull over small groups to go through and sort the materials. I make sure to go over expectations for behavior, how many kids at puzzle/manipulative centers.
- I have bins set up and labeled in the front of my classroom with the various supplies.
- I have buckets of crayons on all the desk groups and I put out a fun coloring sheet with all my kids names on it. They love seeing their name and friends names on the sheet. You can download the coloring sheet FREE in my store. (click on the image below)
- When kids are done coloring I have puzzles and manipulatives in different areas around the room for kids to explore.
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2. Establish our back to school rules and expectations in a positive way!
I was so excited when I discovered the book “Back to School Rules” by Laurie Freedman
I read this aloud with my kids and it helps us to create clear back to school rules and expectations in a positive way. It also lends to review various story elements and comprehension strategies. I have multiple guided reading activities I can choose from, and when we are done we do an adorable pencil craft where the kids choose their favorite new “I can” rule. It makes for a colorful bulletin board too. (Check that off the list too… boom!)
3. Read Aloud
I don’t know about you, but my kids love a read aloud. No matter the group, my kids are always their calmest listening to a good story. I try to make a point of reading multiple books the first week of school.
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4. Share Bags
Years and years and years (lol) ago my cooperating teacher introduced me to share bags. She sent home a simple paper bag with instructions to fill it with 3-5 items to share. The items needed to help us learn a little bit more about you. The items could be photos, toys, awards, etc.
5. Classroom Scavenger Hunt {Freebie}
This is a fun way to help kids get to know your classroom and where things are. I have done the scavenger hunt two different ways. I have done it either during meet and greet when parents are there to help or the first day to get kids up and moving.
- Here is a link to the scavenger hunt I use in my room. https://bit.ly/2IulZN8 Feel free to use it or to inspire your own scavenger hunt back to school activity!
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