autograph pages

1-2-3 Come Do Some First Day Of School Activities With Me

first day of school activiteisIt's been a busy week, so I just have a quick activity for this article.  I hope you can pop by tomorrow for a big classroom management packet that I've been working on, and finishing today.

I know there's a lot to do on that first day of school, but I liked to "over plan" as I never knew the abilities of my new bunch of kiddos. 

Along with the zillions of other things a teacher has to get done, there's always a few things to do that we need some one-on-one time with each child, but what do you do with your other students?

It would also be great to simply have a few moments peace to sort through forms and notes, while students quietly work on something that they can accomplish independently; independently being the "must have" here.

  back to school ideas, back to school activities, first day of school ideas, first day of school activities, ideas for the first day of school, icebreakers for school, friendship activities, coloring pages for kids, name writing activities, With these things in mind, I designed two "sanity savers" entitled: "I made lots of new friends today!" 

Use it as an autograph page for your really young students, or a writing prompt for older children. 

Need more sanity?  Extend the activity by telling students to draw a picture of themselves, with one of their new friends on the back of the paper.

Since my Y5's were learning how to write their name, an autograph page provided great practice.  If you don't have enough time for everyone to sign everybody's paper, make one master that everyone signs, and then during recess or lunch break, run off copies. 

back to school ideas, back to school activities, first day of school ideas, first day of school activities, ideas for the first day of school, icebreakers for school, friendship activities, coloring pages for kids, name writing activities, At the end of the day, pass the papers out for children to color, while you get a few last-minute things done before dismissal.  Yippee for a special keepsake that I'm sure parents will enjoy too. 

back to school ideas, back to school activities, first day of school ideas, first day of school activities, ideas for the first day of school, icebreakers for school, friendship activities, coloring pages for kids, name writing activities, If you teach older students, have them write about some of the new friends that they made.  They can color the picture as well, and if time, they could also have their new friends sign the back of their paper. 

To help practice making decisions, whenever possible, I liked to give my Y5's two choices of something, so I made two coloring pages your kiddos can choose from.  (If you haven't learned yet, offering more than two choices to little ones, is time consuming and overwhelming for some.  They simply can't decide, and you don't have the time to waste with Pokey Joes. ) Click on the link to view/download the I Made Friends Today activity. 

back to school ideas, back to school activities, first day of school ideas, first day of school activities, ideas for the first day of school, icebreakers for school, friendship activities, coloring pages for kids, name writing activities, Thanks for visiting today.  Feel free to PIN awayIf you have a first day of school idea that's worked for you, I'd love to hear about it.  You can reach me at: diane@teachwithme.com  or post a comment here. 

I'm off to go splash in the warm puddles with my grandbaby... Wishing you a happy day. back to school ideas, back to school activities, first day of school ideas, first day of school activities, ideas for the first day of school, icebreakers for school, friendship activities, coloring pages for kids, name writing activities,

"A good teacher can inspire hope, ignite the imagination, and instill a love of learning." -Brad Henry