Middle grade teachers– this one’s for you! If you’re needing a quick self-starter for your students to do sometime during the first week of school, I’ve got you covered! Below you will find a free downloadable Back to School Word Scramble worksheet.
Download, print, and make some copies for your class, and just like that, you’ve got yourself a quick activity for your students to do while you take attendance. To extend the activity, you could also have them write a short story using all of the words!
**Please do not re-sell, re-post, or claim printable as your own.**
My last post was full of ice breaker and getting to know you ideas that involved the entire class. Today I wanted to share another idea for getting to know your students, but this one is done individually, and as a homework assignment.
Because I was an English teacher, this assignment worked particularly well for my class, but it can work just as well for any other content area. The assignment was called “Dear Teacher” and was a chance for students to write a letter to me. I gave them suggestions about what they could tell me, but also left it open for them to choose the content of their letter.
Some of the suggested topics included:
Favorite food
Favorite subject
Favorite music, movie, book, actor/actress, show
Family— how many siblings, things they like to do, etc.
Friends— who their friends are, what they like to do together, etc.
Favorite vacations they’ve been on
Things they did over the summer
What they’re looking forward to about this new school year
Goals they may have
Their feelings about reading & writing (or whatever your content area may be)
Anything else they felt like telling me
I also required the assignment to be hand written (this gave me a glimpse into their grammar and spelling skills since they weren’t using a computer with spell/grammar check), and required the length to be about 1- 1.5 pages long. I wanted it long enough for them to tell me about themselves, but not so long that I was reading these letters for the rest of my days!
This assignment was always so fun to get back from students. I loved learning about them! Beyond the “getting to know you” objective of the assignment, these letters also gave me insight into their writing style, grammar/spelling skills, handwriting, and personalities. Another thing I really liked about this assignment was that, because I had assured them I wasn’t going to be sharing their letters with other students, it allowed students to be completely honest and open. I had students open up and tell me about difficulties at home, friend struggles, learning struggles, and so on. It let them know right off the bat that I was a safe person who had their best interests in mind.
The “Dear Teacher” letter was always just a participation grade, which was a great way to start off the year. It was a low-stakes, no pressure assignment to ease them into graded writing that would come later.
So while this assignment was really quite simple, it accomplished much more than surface level formalities.
What kind of assignments do you give your students to start the year?
First day of school nerves are real for teachers and students alike. I used to tell my students that it was ok to feel nervous— everyone else felt the same way, even if they wouldn’t admit it. I would venture to guess that even most teachers feel some degree of first day of school jitters.
One way to combat these jitters is through ice-breaker and getting to know you activities. Most people don’t love them, but they are effective for getting people moving around and interacting with one another. And if there’s one thing you need on the first day of school, it’s to get people interacting and getting to know each other!
Perhaps you have a tried and true ice breaker that you’ve used every year for the last 25 years. If it works, it works— no need to fix what isn’t broken, right? If, however, you’re searching for something new to try, I’ve got you covered! I’ve compiled a list of fun ideas to break the ice and get to know your students, and to have them get to know each other!
Roll & Tell
Divide students into groups of 3-4. Give each group a die and a set of instructions. Each number on the die is attached to a getting to know you question. If a student rolls a 4, they would answer the prompt assigned to number 4, and so on. Once all students in the group have answered all the questions, you can come back together as a class. Call on students randomly to have them share something they learned about someone in their group.
Possible Questions:
What is your favorite subject in school?
What is your favorite restaurant?
When you have free time, what do you like to do?
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?
What is your family like? Do you have siblings?
Tell about the craziest thing that has ever happened to you.
What was the highlight of your summer?
If you could invent any holiday, what would it be and why?
What goals do you have for this school year?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
What is your least favorite chore to do?
What is your favorite book?
What skill would you most like to learn?
Do you collect anything?
What is one cool fact about you that not many people know?
If you could choose a super power, what would you want to be able to do?
If you could go to lunch with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Would you rather be able to visit the past or the future?
One Word
Group students into small groups— 4-5 students per group is perfect. Give each group a starting word. Groups must then create a sentence, one word at a time, by going around the circle with each student adding on a word to the sentence when it is their turn. It must make sense, must be a real word, and must be a word that is well known. You can extend this activity by having groups pass around a paper to write on. They can create a whole story, one word at a time, as a group.
This encourages groups to work together, students to listen carefully, and students to be patient with one another. Hilarity is sure to ensue as groups come up with some silly sentences and stories!
Beach Ball Toss
Inflate a plastic beach ball, then use a permanent marker to write several getting to know you questions all over the ball. Have students form a circle and toss the ball around. When the ball is caught, the catcher answers the question that their right thumb is on, then throws the ball to someone else, and so on. Continue until everyone has had a chance to answer at least one question.
Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament
This game is just as it sounds! Divide the class into two groups, and have students line up in two lines, facing each other. Partners will play three rounds of Rock, Paper, Scissors, and the best of three wins. One line will stay stationary, and the other line will move to the right or left (you choose!), and play continues.
Random Objects
This is a fun one to assign on the first day of school, especially for older grades. For their first assignment, have students bring a random object from home— the more random, the better. They must keep the object hidden until it is their turn to share. Put a table in the center of the room and have students form a circle around the table. One by one, each student comes forward and places their object on the table. The fun part of this is that they cannot talk— no explaining what the object is or why they chose it. Laughter is definitely okay, because there are sure to be some hilarious objects brought.
Be sure to set guidelines of what is and is not okay to bring to school.
Four Corners
Before class starts, take four pieces of paper and write the numbers 1-4 separately on a paper. Place each paper in a different corner of the room. Prepare a list of questions with four possible answers each. After each question and its answers are read, students must pick which answer they like the most then move to that corner of the room. Continue until all questions have been read.
Ex: What is your favorite subject?
1- Math 2- English/Writing/Reading 3- PE 4- Science
Students who enjoy math the most would move to the corner that has the “1” sign, and so on.
Would you Rather
This is a classic game that everyone can participate in. Prepare a list of “would you rather” questions that are appropriate for the age of your students. The questions can be about anything; it’s fun to mix up the type of questions to include some funny, some serious, some gross (kids love these ones!), and some ridiculous. Have students show their answers by holding up a green paper for answer A, and a blue paper for answer B. If you can’t think of any questions on your own, the Internet is full of lists upon lists of great questions for all ages, occasions, and topics.
This or That Circle Game
You may need a larger space for this game. Create two large intersecting circles on the floor— tape works really well for this. Make a list of several “this or that” questions. Read each question, then have students pick circle A or B according to which option they like best. If they like both options equally, they can stand in the intersecting portion of the circles. You’re essentially making a large Venn diagram! Continue until all questions have been read. The questions don’t have to be super deep— simple works best here. Things like “chocolate or vanilla” or “Summer or Winter” work really well for this game. Again, if you need some help coming up with questions to use, a quick Google or Pinterest search will provide you with plenty of options!
These are just a few ideas of the many that are out there. Activities like these are a great way to ease back to school jitters and bring your class together. Happy Back to School, friends!
We’re down to the last few weeks of summer break where we live, and we’re feeling it! Since I don’t have the energy to take all five of my kids to the splash pad or pool every day, I’ve had to use my creative energy to come up with activities for them to do. That’s not to say that I provide them with entertainment every second of every day— they have plenty of time to use their own imaginations and come up with their own fun. Sometimes they just need a little encouragement from me!
I recently saw a fun idea that someone had posted, and decided to put my own twist on it and share it with you. I’m calling it Four-Square Slap Jack, and the goal of the game is for players to be the first to put their hand down on a paper whose category was NOT called out. For example, players have four papers in front of them, each with a different shape printed on it (circles, hearts, stars, and triangles). The caller calls out a category, and players race to put their hands on any other paper than that which was called. So if “hearts” was called, they place their hands on circles, stars, or triangles.
This activity is great for younger kids, as it helps with shape recognition as well as hand-eye coordination, both of which are great skills for kids to learn and practice. It’s also a great activity to promote careful listening. I know I’m not the only parent or teacher who loves a fun game that is also educational! I’ve attached the game and instructions below— feel free to print off a copy and have fun.
Oh, and as an added bonus, this game is great for days when you’re completely exhausted and just can’t muster up the energy to run around and play with your kids— it’s easy to play while relaxing on the couch!
This game can also be used in the classroom as a group activity or even a whole class activity.
** The printable game is free to download, but please do not re-sell, distribute, or claim as your own.**
If your kids are like mine, they start to go a little bit stir crazy when they are cooped up in the house for too long. We’re trying to find a balance between structured activities and “use your imagination to entertain yourself” time. Some days are trickier than others. One thing is for certain, though: a daily dose of sunshine and fresh air does wonders for everyone’s moods. Some days, my kids are outside most of the day, and others, we just get a little time outside.
Whether your kids are all-day-outsiders or just-a-little-outsiders, an outdoor scavenger hunt is a fun activity to do with them! Print off the free printable below, grab a clipboard and something to write with, then take a walk around your neighborhood, searching for the things on the list! If you’re feeling extra ambitious, have your kids make a pair of binoculars before you go— get a couple of empty toiler paper tubes, glue them together, and attach some string to each side for quick and easy binoculars to make your scavenger hunt even more fun!
You could even laminate the scavenger hunt paper so that you can re-use it multiple times. This activity would be a great option for a small preschool class or daycare group, too!
An alternative for older kids would be to let them explore on their own, but send them with some way to take pictures, and have them photograph the items as they find them.
However you decide to use it, happy searching!
**PRINTABLE IS FREE, BUT IS ONLY TO BE USED FOR PERSONAL OR CLASSROOM USE. DO NOT SELL, RE-POST, OR CLAIM AS YOUR OWN.**
Have you ever been faced with a situation where your child loudly points out someone’s differences? The way we respond in situations like that can determine and change how our children perceive differences. If we respond with disgust, that is how our children will see differences. If, however, we respond with love, compassion, and kindness, our children will pick up on that and will learn to show empathy and love to those differently abled than them.
It is so important— even crucial— to teach our children and students to view differences as a beautiful thing rather than something that sets them apart. Teaching inclusion is vital to raising a generation of kids who love and encourage people of all abilities.
Sometimes it can be difficult to explain differences to kids in a way that makes sense to them. Thankfully, there are some incredible children’s books out there that do a beautiful job of teaching this. Here are a few that I found at my local library that were well written and that I feel do a good job of teaching the importance of inclusion.
Benji, the Bad Day, and Me by Sally J. Pla, Illustrated by Ken Min
Sammy is having the worst day ever. He comes home from school, feeling defeated and upset. But instead of being met with sympathy and kindness, his mother shushes him and tells him he needs to be quiet because his brother, Benji, had bad day and needed quiet. Sammy’s day continues to get worse, and he feels like no one notices him. Benji saves the day when he helps Sammy feel safe and comforted by wrapping him in a blanket, which is Benji’s favorite way to calm down and feel safe.
Benji has autism, and is easily overwhelmed with loud noises or other sensory input. When Sammy doesn’t think anyone notices him, he is surprised to see that his brother does see him and is able to help him the best way he knows how.
This story is a tender example of how connected brothers can be, and the differences don’t have to separate them.
You Are Enough: A Book About Inclusion by Margaret O’Hair, Illustrated by Sofia Cardoso
Full of darling illustrations, this book celebrates the differences in each child. It shows that all people are enough, regardless of looks, abilities, race, etc. The story is inspired by Sofia Sanchez, a girl with Down syndrome who has embraced her differences and can be seen on TV, in ads, and on other media outlets.
This books encourages all children to look in the mirror and celebrate what they see, and that they are enough, just as they are!
When Charley Met Emma by Amy Webb, Illustrated by Merrilee Liddiard
Charley’s mom has always taught him that “Different isn’t weird, sad, bad, or strange. Different is different. And different is ok!” Charley and his mom go to the park and while there, they see a girl in a wheelchair with limb differences. For a moment, Charley forgets that different is okay, and loudly asks why the girl looks so weird. Rather than shaming, his mom uses the moment to remind and teach, encouraging Charley to go talk to the girl.
He does, and discovers that her name is Emma, and that she likes to do all the same things Charley likes to do. Together, they play and have fun, and easily become friends.
This book is a great reminder that ability isn’t always determined by what our bodies look like. Kids of all abilities and looks are able to have fun and be kids— because different is ok!
Different: A Great Thing to Be! By Heather Avis, Illustrated by Sarah Mensinga
Macy is a girl who is different than other kids around her. Sometimes she feels hurt by the comments and looks other kids give her. Rather than letting it hold her back, she embraces her differences and celebrates who she is. She finds ways to show other kids that while she is different, she is still a kid who can love, laugh, play, and be a friend.
Oona and the Shark by Kelly DiPucchio, Illustrated by Raissa Figueroa
Oona is a mermaid who likes all the things mermaids usually do. She loves to collect things, build inventions, and isn’t afraid of noise. One day she meets a shark who doesn’t seem to like all the things Oona likes. She is determined to make him like her things, inventions, and noise. With every attempt, she finds that the shark pulls further away. In one last attempt to win him over, she decides to throw a party. When shark doesn’t come, she retreats to the ocean floor to sit in quiet for a minute. There, she sees sea glass and has an idea. Using her brilliant mind, she creates a quiet sea glass sorting machine. When she presents it to shark, she is pleased to find that he likes it very much. She realizes that not everyone is the same, and that differences are okay.
The illustrations in this book are so beautiful, and the story is captivating!
We’re All Wonders by R.J. Palacio
Inspired by the novel Wonder, this children’s book follows Auggie, a child who was born with severe facial differences. Auggie takes readers on a journey of how people react to him, how he feels, and how he copes with the pointing fingers and mean words. The book ends with reminding readers that everyone is a wonder in their own way, and to “look with kindness and you will always find wonder.”
Including all people, regardless of ability, appearance, or diagnosis is a vital thing for kids to learn. Many children are naturally inclusive. When adults display kindness, inclusion, and empathy, we encourage those around us to do the same. I encourage you to take a minute and help your children understand the importance of treating everyone with dignity and respect.
In my last post, I shared a couple of printable worksheets/activities that you could use to teach your kids or students about Independence Day. Since not all kiddos are interested in worksheet-style learning, I’m back with a few more ideas! Teaching kids about the history of our nation is so important. It’s important for them to understand how our country was founded and to know about the incredibly brave men and women who fought (and still do fight) and worked so hard to establish America.
Teaching kids about history doesn’t have to be boring. It’s easy to incorporate play and games into their learning. Below are a few ideas you can try!
Patriotic Sensory Bin
Using any sensory bin base you’d like (my favorites are rice or beans), you can add small patriotic themed items. Ideas include small flags, red, white, and blue gems/stars/pom-poms, small pictures of national monuments or presidents, and so forth. Bury the items in the sensory base, and let your kids get to work exploring and finding fun treasures!
Patriotic Matching
Print off two copies of several pictures of our national symbols, monuments, presidents, Founding Fathers, etc. Glue them on to paper squares and play memory. Whenever a match is made, take a minute to talk about why the object or person in the picture is important to America’s history.
If memory style matching isn’t something your child likes, you can place one set of pictures on the table or wall, then hide the other set of pictures around the house or room. Again, as matches are found, talk about each picture.
Independence Day Trivia
This is a great activity for older kids. Write down several questions (and answers) about the history, places, and people of our nation. Divide kids into teams and have an Independence Day Trivia Face-Off. If the person whose turn it is can answer the question without their team’s help, two points are awarded to that team. If they need the team’s help, one point is awarded for a correct answer. If the first team is unable to answer correctly, the second team gets a chance, earning one point for a correct answer. You could place a small flag in the center of the table, and the first person to grab it gets the first chance to answer the question.
Tally the points as you go, and the winners get a red, white, and blue rocket popsicle!
Historical Story-Telling
Assign each child a story from our nation’s history. Give them a few minutes to prepare, then have them re-tell the story in their own words. Another version of this would be to have them write and illustrate a children’s book telling the story they have been assigned.
American Role Play
Rather than having them verbally re-tell a story or event, have children reenact an important event. Provide props and costumes if available!
A Star-Spangled Sing-A-Long
Teach kids the words to our national anthem and have them sing along. Be sure to explain what all the words mean, the history behind why the song was written, how it became our national anthem, and even a little bit about the man who wrote it!
Patriotic Crafting
There are endless options here— have kids create a flag out of various materials, use different methods to paint “fireworks”, or create a mosaic of the flag, a monument, or person. Never underestimate the power of construction paper, scissors, and a glue stick!
Whatever you decide to do, remember to keep it age appropriate, make it fun and engaging, and let kids use their imaginations! The material and skills learned are the most important part of activities like these, so there isn’t one “perfect” way to get things done. Relax, have fun, and remember that messes can be cleaned up!
