The first day of school is all about finding the perfect balance between setting up routines and procedures and creating a warm, welcoming, and, most importantly, safe classroom environment. For a detailed look at how I plan and schedule my entire first week, check out my First Week Plans. ✨ Today, I am sharing free first day activities you can use to plan the best first day of 1st or 2nd grade ever!
What Should We Do on the First Day of School?
- Soft start: Make sure your students have something to do so you are free to handle whatever comes up during the morning.
- Introduce expectations and routines: Start with the most important ones like choosing a lunch choice, bathroom and lining up
- Getting to know you activities: Build classroom community on day one!
- Read alouds: Incorporating a few of your favorite first week of school books is a great opportunity to settle down and reset.
How to Structure the First Day of School
The first day of school can feel like a whirlwind, but with a little planning, it can set the tone for a fantastic year. I like to start with a warm welcome at the door, greeting each student by name to make them feel seen and valued right away. Once everyone is settled, we dive into a fun icebreaker to help break the ice and ease those first-day jitters.
Here is an example of my first day of school plans. It is always wise to over-plan and write as much detail as possible. Establishing routines is crucial, so I take time to clearly explain and practice our daily procedures, from lining up to classroom jobs. But it’s not all about rules! We also spend part of the day on getting to know you activities, read alouds, and games! By blending structure with fun, the first day becomes a foundation for a positive and engaging classroom community.
First Day Morning Work
The first 15-30 minutes of the first day of school can be very hectic. You might have students showing up during a big stretch of time. I have always found that having something very simple for them to do when they arrive will help free my time to deal with whatever happens. I like to place a simple coloring page with a pack of crayons on each students’ desk. You will find a free coloring page here.
Getting to Know You Activities
One of the best parts of the first day is getting to know your students and allowing them time to learn about each other. We will continue these types of activities for the first week or more. On the first day, I would like to work on learning about one another’s names.
By the end of the day, students will be restless. So, it’s the perfect time to allow them to move around and “Find a Classmate Who…”. It’s also another opportunity to learn names! Both of these activities can be downloaded for free here.
Routines, Procedures and Expectations
The most important part of the first weeks of school is establishing clear routines and expectations. Practicing these over and over again will help your year go smoothly. For the first day, I choose the top 3 routines students MUST know: bathroom, lining up, morning routine. Start by clearly explaining and modeling key procedures. Consistency is key, so practice these routines together, reinforcing them with positive feedback. Make sure to set expectations for behavior and classroom etiquette, using simple, age-appropriate language. By laying this groundwork from the beginning, you help students understand what is expected of them, making them feel more secure and ready to learn.
How to Make It a Great First Day of School
Making the first day of school great involves blending structure with excitement. Start by warmly welcoming each student, creating a sense of belonging from the moment they walk in. Engage them with a fun icebreaker activity to ease nerves and build connections. Introduce routines and expectations clearly, but balance this with creative and interactive activities that let students express themselves and get to know their peers. Be enthusiastic and approachable, showing students that your classroom is a safe, welcoming place. By combining organization with genuine warmth and fun, you set a positive tone for the year ahead.
Click here to download 9 free first day activities.
I hope you will find these free first day activities helpful! Now that you’ve planned your first day, it’s time to think about the rest of the week. Check out my Back to School lesson plans.
