First Day of School 2026 Activities Teaching Resources for 3rd Grade

All About Me Sundae - First Day Activity

Goal Setting – Iceberg Template

Download a free goal setting template that helps students identify singular aspects that they need focus on to achieve a goal.

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.

Free Blank Face Templates

Use these blank face templates to create fun back-to-school art celebrating the individuality and diversity of your new students!

Hopes and Wishes Jar - Goal Planning Template

Have your students craft a hopes and wishes jar to set goals for the school year.

Student Interest Survey Pack

Use a Student Interest Survey to get to know your new students at the beginning of the school year.

Student Behavior Discussion Cards for the Classroom

Print free student behavior discussion cards to encourage your class to think about what a positive learning environment looks like, sounds like, and feels like.

Printable SMART Goals Template

Start the school year by having your students use a printable template to set their own S.M.A.R.T. goals.

Back To School - Listening Skill Refresh Activity

Refresh student listening skills with a Back to School Listening Skill Refresh Slides and script.

Student Self-Assessment Template

Get to know your students on the first day and learn their thoughts on school with a printable student self assessment.

This or That? Icebreaker Game

Encourage new friendships in your classroom with an interactive This or That? Icebreaker activity.

Student Behavior Contract Template

Create a classroom community and ensure adherence to rules and procedures with a printable Student Behavior Contract Template.

Editable All About Me - Getting to Know Me Worksheet

Use this printable Grade Level Getting to Know Me Worksheet to engage your students on the first day of school.

3D All About Me Template - Craftivity

Create a three-dimensional All About Me display for hanging in the classroom with this 3D All About Me template.

Soup, Salad, or Sandwich? Game - Interactive Icebreaker

Play the Soup, Salad, or Sandwich? Game for an exciting Back-to-School Icebreaker activity!

Never Have I Ever Questions for Kids ... Getting to Know You Game

See fun "Never Have I Ever" questions for kids to break the ice in your classroom and help students get to know one another.

Procedures Scoot!

Review classroom procedures and expectations with with this back to school SCOOT activity.

Back to School - Get to Know You Dice Game

Play a Get to Know You dice game for students to get to know their classmates.

Can You Save Fred? Activity

Can You Save Fred? Encourage teamwork and resilience with a fun, hands-on problem-solving and team-building STEM activity.

One Has to Go! Game of Elimination Icebreaker

Play ‘One Has to Go!” and engage your students in a friendly classroom debate with this Google Slides icebreaker game.

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.

Back to School Today! Poem for Kids

Ease back-to-school jitters and launch your students into a love of poetry with a short poem for kids written just for the first day of school!

Charades Inspired - Good Behavior Game

Explore appropriate and inappropriate behaviors during the school year with a charades-inspired Good Behavior Game.

Funky Apple Craftivity

Have fun on the first day of school with a fun customizable, Funky Apple Craftivity.