Back to School Teaching Resources
Head back to school in 2026 with primary school activities, classroom decoration printables and so many more teacher resources created by teachers for teachers just like you!
Whether you're planning for your very first day as a teacher or just your first day of the 2026-2027 school year, we've got you covered with everything you'll need to make pupils feel welcome coming back to school and your classroom.
Explore editable Google Slides templates, printable back to school poems, colouring pages and word searches, inspiring quotes to hang on the walls of your classroom ... and that's just the start of what's in store for your teacher toolkit. Get the peace of mind that you'll be all set to head back into the classroom with everything you need for a successful school year!
Looking for ideas for getting your pupils excited about going back to school? Read on for tips from our teacher team, including back-to-school jokes you can share with your class and some back-to-school songs with a positive vibe to set the tone for the school year!
9 Silly Back to School Jokes for Kids to Share With Your Class
There's no question that telling jokes in your classroom can help build that pupil-teacher relationship. Are you hoping to incorporate a few kid-friendly (and seriously silly) puns into your planning?
Here are a few that have a school theme and are appropriate to share with the younger primary students:
- Why did the maths worksheet look sad? It had a lot of problems.
- How do bees get to school? They take the buzzzzz.
- What did the crayon say to the pencil? You're pretty sharp.
- What did the pencil say to the sharpener? Get to the point!
- What's a teacher's favourite type of music? Class-ical!
- What's a vampire's favourite kind of test to take? A blood test!
- What is a snake’s favourite subject? – Hiss-tory.
- What did the bus driver say to the frog? Hop on.
- Why are fish so smart? They spend a lot of time in schools.
7 Back to School Songs to Play in the Classroom
Going back to school comes with mixed emotions for teachers and pupils. Excitement to see friends and learn new things can be mixed with apprehension — especially for young primary students who may have never ridden a school bus or been in a school setting before. You'll want to set a positive tone from day one to help students start the school year off feeling energised and excited.
What better way to motivate your class and pump them up than playing songs perfect for back to school? You can play them quietly as pupils filter into the classroom in the morning on their first day, use them for a dance party brain break mid-day or add them to a classroom playlist for those times when you need to turn on some jams while kids work in small groups.
Here are a few favourite kid-friendly back-to-school songs from the teachers on the Teach Starter team:
- Welcome Back to School by Dwayne Reed — It doesn't get more on target than this fun tune from an American educator. You might also want to check out Reed's Welcome to Kindergarten for a song that's more specific to your class.
- Happy by Pharrell — This song about not letting anything ruin your happy mood is perfect for establishing a positive vibe. You can also use it as an example of using repetition as a persuasive device in writing.
- Can't Stop This Feeling by Justin Timberlake
- We're All in This Together by the High School Musical cast
- ABC by The Jackson 5
- School Days by Chuck Berry — This is an oldie that most students will have never heard before, but it's still a goodie!
- The Educate Song — This is a cover of Bruno Mars' Grenade that's all about education, and it's sung by a group of pupils!
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Wheel of Colour Words Poster Pack
Help support students with learning to identify colors and color words with a color wheel-inspired Classroom Color Words Poster Pack.
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Homework Information Sheet – Editable Template
Inform parents and caregivers of what homework will look like in your classroom with this editable template.
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Jungle Theme Classroom Decor Bundle
Get everything you need to create a jungle theme classroom with over 20 editable templates.
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Goal Setting Iceberg Template
Download a free goal setting template that helps pupils identify singular aspects that they need focus on to achieve a goal.
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Helpful Homework Tips for Parents
Helpful tips for parents on how to support pupils to complete homework.
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Testing in Progress Sign Bundle
Use these printable Testing in Progress signs to alert those outside your classroom to keep their voices down while your students are testing.
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Behaviour Sticker Charts – Stars
Reward positive behaviour with printable sticker charts!
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Behaviour Reflection Sheet for Key Stage 1 Pupils
Invite your Key Stage 1 pupils to reflect on their behaviour choices with this behaviour think sheet.
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Student Behaviour Contract Template for KS2
Create a classroom community and ensure adherence to rules and procedures with a printable Student Behaviour Contract Template.
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Literacy Teaching Toolkit – Sight Word Assessments
Track Dolch sight word mastery with this set of printable assessments and data sheets to add to your literacy teaching toolkit.
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Teacher Computer Desktop Wallpapers
Organise your computer desktop with bright and cheery motivational desktop wallpapers for teachers!
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Printable Password Log
Help your students keep track of their computer and website logins with printable Student Password Logs.
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Positive Notes Home – Parent Communication Templates
Use this editable template to share information with parents and carers about academic improvement, positive behaviour and more!
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Learning Objective Sentence Starters
Post your daily learning objectives using this set of 10 goal slips.
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Morning Registration Slide Templates - Days of the Week
Start the day off right with this set of editable days of the week PowerPoint slides for morning registration.
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Classroom Morning Routine and Timetable Slides
Use these editable classroom morning routine slides to display important information for the day.
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Task Initiation Checklist Bookmarks for Students – Classroom Assignments and Tasks
Provide your students with a checklist for assignments and strategies to use when stuck or frustrated in a handy bookmark form.
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Behaviour Stamp Card – Eye on the Prize!
Upgrade your behaviour management and motivate your students to keep their eye on the prize with this stamp card template.
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Call and Response – Attention-Grabbing Phrase Cards
Display and use a variety of call and response phrases in your classroom with our printable attention-getter cards.
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There's No Better Day... Display
Practise social emotional skills in the classroom and beyond with this wall display.
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Morning Greeting Display
Use this Morning Greetings Display to provide examples of how students may like to be greeted as they enter the classroom each morning.
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My Goal Tree - Goal Setting Worksheet
Encourage your class to set their intentions for the year ahead with our goal-setting worksheet for pupils.
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Setting Goals With a Mountain Theme
Use a free printable goal setting template with your pupils to take them to new heights this school year!
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Chalkboard Digital Teacher Diary
Make writing lesson plans easier and more eye-appealing with a bold and bright Chalkboard Theme Digital Lesson Planner!.