Two years ago, I shared some of my favorite back to school freebies. I do teach 2nd so they are resources that have worked for my classes in the past. However, some are adaptable to other grade levels.
Well this year I am back with 6 more favorites and guess what? They are all *FREE*!
ONE: Morning Work
My favorite 1st day morning work is a coloring page. It’s simple and does not require directions so you can focus on everything else going on that first morning!
This year I plan on using one of these by Khrys Greco. I love how there are SO many options for PreK-5. You can find them here.
TWO: ABC Order
So I just realized this was on my list of favorite before but it’s too good not to mention again! This back to school ABC order is a simply perfect way to ease into some skills. Since it’s cut and paste, it is the perfect opportunity to go over procedures for using glue and scissors (while informally assessing those fine motor skills!). I don’t use this on the very first day but sometime in the first week. ABC order is a permanent fixture in my word work centers so it is important I make sure all my students are familiar with this skill early on.
I love that More than Math by Mo includes large picture cards to first sort before cutting and pasting. She also has a TON of ABC order cut and paste freebies for all sorts of seasons/holidays.
THREE: This School Year Will Be The Best
I love love love this freebie that goes with the book “This School Year Will Be the Best”. It includes ideas for questioning during the read aloud and a writing extension for after!
I read this at the end of the first day last year (you can see the rest of my first day plans here) and it really helps to build that excitement for what is in store! Bonus: it gets students writing so you can see where they are all at on day 1! If you don’t already read this book the first week of school, you need to add it to your collection! <<buy it here on Amazon>>
FOUR: Reading Surveys
Getting to know our students as readers is SO so SO important! To get them engaged, we have to know what they like! This kid-friendly reading survey by Stomping Through First provides great information about your students’ interests. I keep it in my guided reading binder and update it from time-to-time throughout the year. It helps guide me in choosing books for my small reading groups and making book purchases for my classroom library.
FIVE: Intro Letter
Do you send an intro letter to your students before school starts? We have PIN before school (Parent Information Night) but students aren’t really invited… SO I send home these letters with the parents introducing myself.
This was my one from last year. You can find the editable version here by Rowdy in Room 300.
SIX: Back to School Gift
I like to hand out a small gift at the end of the first day. I give out highlighters since it is something I would have already bought for students since we use them all the time. But, attaching a gift tag (find it here!) makes it extra special! The highlighters are 4 for $1 at Dollar Tree and they aren’t junk!
I hope you find some of these freebies useful in your B2S planning!
Happy Teaching : )
