Still need a few ideas? Read on for some tips from our teacher team on what to do on the first day of school, plus some inspiring first day of school quotes to share with your students!
First Day of School 2024 Activities & Worksheets for Primary Classrooms
Dive into a curated collection of teacher-created first-day-of-school activities, printables and icebreakers to help your students settle in and feel comfortable whether they're starting their very first day in primary school or just their first day of the 2024 school year! This collection of printables and digital activities for teachers to use on the first day of the school year was created by the expert Australian teacher team at Teach Starter with an eye on providing teachers everything they need to make kids feel safe and respected from day one. Let your students know they've found a warm and welcoming classroom environment where they can thrive this school year! From activities that will help you set expectations early to printable forms you can use to collect important student information and so much more, this collection has your entire day (and first week) covered!
Editor’s Picks
The best of the best hand-picked by our team of teachers.
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Never Have I Ever... Getting-to-know-you Game
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Collaborative Icebreaker - Back to School Scatter Game
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Back-to-School Countdown Mobile - Goal Setting Template
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Mindfulness Activities for Kids - Backpack Craft and Book
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Back to School Activity Mats - All Year Levels
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Project Based Back-to-School Activity - Plan an Excursion
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First Day of School 2024 Activities & Worksheets for Primary Classrooms
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I Am Poem Template
Get to know your students and create reflective poems with a printable ‘I Am… Poem template.
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I Wish My Teacher Knew Activity Sheet
Add an ‘I Wish My Teacher Knew’ activity to your first-day plans to learn more about your new students.
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Above and Below the Line Behaviours – Sorting Activity
Remind students of behaviours that are 'above the line,' 'below the line,' and 'bottom-line' with this sorting activity.
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Letter to the Teacher Template
Get to know your students with an all about me writing template.
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Reading Challenge: 10-100 Book Challenge Reading Logs
Start the 100-Book Challenge with a fun reading log!
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Fishing To Know You
A getting-to-know-you activity for the beginning of the year.
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Back to School STEM Challenge Cards - Lower Years
Integrate STEM activities into your back-to-school plans by guiding students to create a picture frame, name tag, and pencil cup.
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Back to School Today — Short Poem for Kids
Use this short poem for kids when students return to school. This child-friendly poem discusses feelings that they may experience when heading back to school after an extended break.
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A Letter to My Teacher Activity
Get to know your students a bit better using a ‘Letter to Teacher’ template.
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Back to School Retro Theme Colouring Sheets
Kick off a groovy new school year with fun retro colouring pages!
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My Goal Grid - Goal Setting Template
Set goals for the new school year with a printable goal-setting template for kids.
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Printable Take-Home Folder Covers
Customise and colour your own Take Home Folder inserts with editable and printable folder cover templates.
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Interview Shuffle- Classroom Community Building Interactive Slides
Help your students get to know each other with a Back to School Interview Shuffle icebreaker activity.
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Funky Apple - Printable Apple Craft Template
Have some crafty fun with our Funky Apple craft activity.
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I Can Follow the Rules at School – Mini-Book
Use this mini-book to review or introduce school and classroom rules to your primary students.
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Time for School! Mini Booklet
Introduce your young students to the routines involved with getting ready for school with this mini booklet.
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Interview a Classmate - First Day of School Activity
Help your students learn more about their new classmates with this fun speaking and listening activity!
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New Year's Goal Setting Selfie
Inspire your students to reflect and set goals for the new year with a Goal Setting Selfie New Year Craft.
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Icebreaker Games - Get to Know You Game Cards
Help your students get to know each other with this set of 20 icebreaker games.
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Back-to-School Silly Story Worksheets
Engage your students in grammar with this set of of back-to-school Silly Stories worksheets.
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Back to School Emoji Code Breaker Worksheets
Use this emoji code breaker worksheet as a back to school activity with your students.
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Let's Be Sharp! Goal Setting Craft
Set a positive tone and start the school year with a Let’s Be Sharp! Goal Setting craft.
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Student Interest Survey Pack
Use a Student Interest Survey to get to know your new students at the beginning of the school year.
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Classroom Procedures Scoot Game
Review classroom and school procedures as a back-to-school activity with a game of Scoot!
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