The first week of first grade can be exhausting to say the least! Usually by Friday I’m ready to crawl in bed by 8pm. Definitely a whole new level of #teachertired Surviving the first week of first grade is a little easier with some go-to low-prep activities to use year after year! So what do you do during the first week of school? Here are a few of my favorite first grade back to school activities!

During the first week of school, I focus on activities that help students build classroom community, practice routines, and become more independent. These simple first grade back to school activities make those busy first days feel more organized while keeping students engaged.

First Grade Back to School Activities: Idea 1

Jitter Juice Book, Poem, and Treat

This is an oldie but goodie! First we read First Day Jitters. This is the first read aloud we do on the first day of school. It is the perfect opportunity to practice procedures for sitting on the rug and listening to the read aloud. We learn how to do a turn and talk with our elbow partners and make some quick predictions during the story. The book has a surprise ending that the kids love! 

A little later in the day we read the Jitter Juice Poem. We read it a couple different times and I have students come up and circle sight words they recognize in the poem. 

Finally, students get to enjoy some jitter juice! Which is really just a pitcher of green Hawaiian Punch 😉 while they drink their juice, they get their very own copy of the jitter juice poem. They can find and circle sight words or just color! 

First Grade Back to School Activities: Idea 2

Classroom Procedures and Routines

If there’s one thing that sets the tone for the entire school year, it’s your classroom procedures. I spend a large part of the first week teaching, practicing, and reinforcing our daily routines.

I know it’s tempting to jump right into academics, but spending extra time practicing expectations during the first week will save you so much time throughout the rest of the school year. Every routine you teach now helps your students become more confident and independent.

During the first week of first grade, I explicitly teach and practice routines for:

• Morning arrival
• Carpet expectations
• Classroom transitions
• Hallway behavior
• Bathroom procedures
• Lunch & Recess
• Dismissal

Instead of simply telling students what to do, we model each routine together, practice it several times, and celebrate when we get it right. I always remind my students that it’s okay if we don’t get it perfect the first time. We’re learning together!

To make teaching procedures simple, I use my Back to School Procedures & Routines Slides. Each slide includes kid friendly visuals that walk students through each routine step by step. We revisit these slides throughout the first few weeks until our classroom routines become second nature.

These slides are completely editable so you can customize with your own classroom procedures! Find them here!

By taking the time to build strong procedures from the very beginning, you’ll spend less time giving reminders and more time enjoying a calm, organized classroom all year long.

Read about how I organize my day with daily slides here!

First Grade Back to School Activities: Idea 3

Chrysanthemum Name Activities

First graders love their names! I always incorporate name activities during the first week of school! 

Our second day of school read-aloud is always Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes. I tell the students this is my FAVORITE book and ask them to think about what their favorite book is. Then we practice a turn and talk again and share our favorite with our elbow partner! 

As we read we discuss what the author wants us to learn in the book- It is important to be kind and our words have power to hurt others or help others! 

Later in the day we talk about our names and how each one is special just like Chrysanthemum’s name! Then we do some name station activities. This is the perfect opportunity to practice working in “centers” and learn about the word work materials they will use throughout the year during reading centers. 

At each of the classroom tables I put a different activity and a class name list for students to practice making their name and their classmates’ names! 

Some of the activities include:

• Magnet letters
• Letter Beads and pipe cleaners 
• Play-doh 
• Water color 
• Stamps 

I like to spread the activities out over a couple days. The centers give us the chance to practice procedures for how to clean up materials quickly and quietly and transition from one activity to the next! 

This Name Worksheet is a perfect no prep activity for the first week of school! Find it here!

First Grade Back to School Activities: Idea 4

Build Classroom Community

One of my biggest goals during the first week of school is helping my students feel like they belong. When students feel comfortable in the classroom and start building friendships, they’re much more willing to participate, work with partners, and take academic risks.

I love incorporating simple community building activities throughout the first week to help students get to know one another while practicing important classroom routines. Some of our favorites include an All About Me page, a Find a Friend activity, first day reflections, goal setting, and other getting to know you activities that encourage conversation and connection.

These activities are included in my Back to School Literacy Worksheets and are perfect for morning work, independent practice, or a quick classroom community activity during those busy first few days of school.

First Grade Back to School Activities: Idea 5

Build Number Sense

The first few weeks of first grade are the perfect time to build a strong math foundation. Instead of jumping into lots of new concepts, I like to focus on developing number sense while introducing our guided math routines.

During this time, we explore important foundational skills like counting, ten frames, number lines, subitizing, and the 120 chart through engaging, hands on activities. Students also learn how to use math manipulatives, participate in math discussions, and work with partners, setting the stage for a successful year of math learning.

My Number Sense Unit includes everything I use during the first few weeks of school, including interactive mini lessons, hands on activities, math games, centers, worksheets, and assessments. It has become my favorite way to launch guided math while helping students build confidence with numbers.

If you’re looking for more beginning of the year math ideas, be sure to check out my blog, Number Sense in First Grade: Ideas and Activities, where I share my favorite lessons, activities, and tips for building strong number sense during the first few weeks of school.

Want the free Guided Math Launch Guide? Grab it here!

First Grade Back to School Activities: Idea 6

Review Letters and Sounds

The beginning of first grade is the perfect time to review letter names, letter sounds, and beginning, middle, and ending sounds before introducing short vowels. This quick review helps build confidence and gives every student a strong phonics foundation.

My Letters & Sounds Review Pack includes printable worksheets, a beginning of year benchmark assessment, and small group activities that make reviewing these foundational skills simple and engaging.

If you’re looking for more beginning of the year phonics ideas, be sure to check out my 1st Grade Phonics Schedule blog where I share my complete daily phonics routine and favorite literacy center activities.

First Grade Back to School Activities: Idea 7

No Prep Writing Craft (FREEBIE!)

Another one of my favorite first grade back to school activities is completing a No Prep Writing Craft! The first week of school is a great time to learn procedures for using scissors and glue. Before I even pass them out we model and discuss how to use each supply safely and correctly. Then students complete one of my no-prep writing crafts. I love starting with these because of how simple they are! And they are so cute for hanging up in the classroom or back to school bulletin boards! 

You can grab these no prep crafts for free here! 

First Grade Back to School Activities: Idea 8

Solve the Room

Solve the Room is a math activity that students complete during math centers each week throughout the year! I love having them practice as a partner activity during the first week of school. I tape a set of my Solve the Room Math Task Cards around the classroom. I give each student a clipboard and a recording sheet. Students walk around the room with their partner, find the task card, solve, and write the answer on their recording sheet. Read more about how I Manage my Math Centers here!

You can find my Solve the Room Year-long Bundle here!

First Grade Back to School Activities: Idea 9

Back to School Night Writing

Another one of my favorite first grade back to school activities is this Back to School Night Writing!

Our Back to School/ Meet the Teacher Night is usually about a week or so after school starts. I love having students complete a little writing activity at the end of our first week together to leave for their parents when they come in. First we brainstorm all the things we’ve done and learned so far in first grade. I record their responses on an anchor chart. Students then complete their writing/drawing activity independently! 

One thing that I’ve learned about the first week of school is that you never get to everything you have planned, and that’s perfectly okay! Focus on building relationships, teaching routines, and helping your students feel successful. The rest will come with time.

I hope these first grade back to school activities give you lots of ideas for an amazing start to the school year! After the week is over, make sure you treat yourself to something special. (Your favorite adult beverage perhaps? 😉) You deserve it!

Will you try any of these first grade back to school activities this year? Let me know in the comments! Happy first week of school!

Don’t forget to save these first grade back to school activities for later by pinning the image below!