Back to School Teaching Resources
Head back to school in 2025 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 2025-2026 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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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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Respect Self, Others and the Environment Posters
Encourage pupils to respect themselves, others and the environment with a set of printable class rule posters.
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Classroom Expectations Posters
Display three of the most important classroom expectations with this set of posters.
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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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Personalised Student Bookmarks - Upper Years
Give the gift of reading this back-to-school season with this collection of 4 personalised student bookmarks suitable for upper years students.
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Personalised Pupil Bookmarks - Lower Years
Give the gift of reading this back-to-school season with this collection of 4 personalised bookmarks suitable for lower years pupils.
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Ice Cream Birthday Chart Template
Create an ice cream-themed birthday bulletin board for your classroom with this printable set.
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Looking For a Book? Suggestion Display
Help your students choose a book with this classroom library display.
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Behaviour Reflection Sheet for Key Stage 2 Pupils
Invite your students to reflect on their behaviour choices with this behaviour think sheet.
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First Day of School Photo Props and Display
Celebrate going back to school with a printable photo props pack to be used in the classroom on the first day of the school year.
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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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Sticky Notes Template – To-Do Lists
Create custom to-do list sticky notes with this template.
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Getting to Know My Classmates – QR Code Template
Use this template as a fun getting to know you activity using QR codes.
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Non-Contact Morning Greetings Poster Set
Non-contact greetings that students can do with their teachers and peers.
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Growth Mindset Vertical Chart With a Pirate Theme
Get your students reflecting on their learning progress with this vertical tracking chart.
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Are We There Yet? Captain Yet's Joyous Journey – Large Posters
Large Captain Yet posters to help students learn more resourcefully and independently in the classroom.
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'I'm a Reading Superhero' Wall Display
A superhero wall display for your library or reading area.
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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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G.R.O.U.P.S - Group Work Expectations Poster
Encourage cooperative behaviour during group work activities with a printable group work mnemonic poster.
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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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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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Sticky Notes Template – Days of the Week
Print on Post-It notes or sticky notes with this template that makes it a snap!
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PRIDE Classroom Rules Poster Set
Set your expectations for classroom behaviour at the beginning of a school year with a set of printable classroom rule posters.