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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Add It In Listening Activity Bundle
Practise following directions to colour and draw pictures with a free printable listening activity worksheet pack.
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Team Building Games for Upper Grades
Encourage communication and cooperation with a set of 10 team building games.
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Back to School Word Search Worksheets
Warm up your students’ vocabulary skills with this set of Back to School word searches.
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Would You Rather...? Question Cards
Would You Rather use this set of 31 question cards or eat a can of worms?
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Never Have I Ever... Getting-to-know-you Game
Have some back to school fun with a child-friendly version of the popular getting-to-know-you game, ‘Never Have I Ever’.
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Brain Break Activity Cards
Give your students a quick brain break with this set of 19 whole-class games.
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'My Goal Tree' - Goal Setting Worksheet
Grow new back to school goals with a printable goal setting tree template.
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Back to School Activity Mats - All Year Levels
Use these back-to-school activity mats as your first day of school warm-up activity during morning arrival.
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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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Count and Graph – In the Classroom
Practise collecting, sorting, and organising data to create a graph with this 2-page worksheet.
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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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Get to Know Me Collaborative Tessellation Art Activity
Invite your students to get to know each other by creating a collaborative About Me Tessellation Art Project.
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Free Blank Face Template Pack
Use these free blank face templates to create fun back-to-school art celebrating the individuality and diversity of your new students!
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What are Desk Pets? Introduction Slide Deck
Introduce your students to your Desk Pet Classroom Reward System with an engaging slide deck.
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Would You Rather...? Back to School Edition
Engage your students in thought-provoking discussions with this set of 16 back-to-school “Would You Rather” questions.
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Headbands Game - Team Building Activity
Play a game of school related celebrity heads to develop teamwork and collaboration skills.
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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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Back to School STEM Challenges – Upper Years
A selection of 3 STEM activities for upper years students that are perfect for the back-to-school period.
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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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Back to School – Listening Skills Refresh PowerPoint
Refresh student listening skills with a Back to School Listening Skill activity and and script.
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Goal Setting Template (Mountain)
Set new goals for the school year with a printable goal setting template.
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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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Funky School Bus Craft Activity
Go for a ride on the Funky School Bus with a fun school bus craft for kids!
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