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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Back to School Today! Poem
Ease back-to-school jitters and launch your pupils into a love of poetry with a short poem written just for the first day of school!
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Back to School Door Display With an Astronauts Theme
Update your outer space-themed classroom display with fun printable astronaut templates that can be personalised with your pupil' faces!
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My Hopes and Wishes Jar Template
Encourage students to set and write their intentions for the year ahead.
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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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Behaviour Expectations Visual Cue Posters
Set clear behaviour expectations with these visual cue posters for the classroom.
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Back to School Bookmarks
Celebrate the new school year with these back-to-school bookmarks.
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Digital Reward Chart – Marble Jar
Celebrate classroom successes with a fully digital marble jar classroom reward chart.
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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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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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Growth Mindset Reward Tags
Celebrate your primary pupils using a growth mindset with a set of printable growth mindset reward tags!
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Place Value Wall Display
Unlock place value understanding with this display for back-to-school that can remain on the wall all year long!
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Slicing Up Good Choices! Class Reward Tracker
Encourage teamwork and positive behaviour in your classroom with a new pizza-themed classroom reward system.
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Caught Being Good! Class Reward System
Reward and track positive classroom behaviour with a printable 'Caught Being Good' ticket system.
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Blank Letter and Number Cut Outs
Cut out your own letters to decorate your classroom displays with a printable letter template.
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Printable Bookmark – Morning Routine Checklist
Ensure your pupils start off on the right foot with this morning routine checklist bookmark!
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Behaviour Sticker Charts
Reward positive behaviour for struggling pupils with editable reward charts.
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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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First Week of School Reflection
Reflect on the first week of a new school year with this reflection activity.
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Classroom Display Calendar
Use this classroom display calendar each and every morning for fantastic learning opportunities.
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How to Walk Like a... Instruction Cards
Transitioning pupils throughout the school grounds doesn't have to be boring when you use this set of 4 instruction cards!
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Tap Light Posters – Voice Level
Create voice-level expectations in the classroom with this set of 5 posters.
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Schools Around the World – Brochure and Writing Template
Research and write a report on schools in a different country with this brochure template.
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Just Be – Classroom Expectations Posters
Set clear classroom expectations and provide daily behaviour reminders to your students with a set of colourful 'Be-haviour' posters.
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Cupcake Birthday Display Wall
Never miss a birthday month again… display them on these cute cupcakes and candles.