10 Fun and Engaging First Week Activities for Middle School

Back to school season is my favorite!! I like to kick off the new school year with a bang! Middle school can be an exciting but challenging time for students, so I like to make the first week fun but also take advantage of the opportunity to get to know students and help them get to know me.

 

Back-to-school season is a whirlwind of emotions – anticipation for new beginnings, a touch of nervousness for new classmates and teachers, and maybe even a hint of summer blues. Especially for middle school students, this time can be a unique blend of wanting to appear older and yet still clinging to some of the comforts of elementary school. As a teacher, one of the most rewarding parts of the beginning of the school year is establishing a positive classroom environment where students feel comfortable, connected, and ready to learn.

 

This blog post offers ten fun activities that are the perfect way to break the ice during the first week of school. These activities will help you get to know your new students better, establish positive relationships, and set the stage for a successful and enjoyable upcoming school year. Whether you are a veteran teacher or a new teacher, you will leave with a couple of back to school classroom activities to try this year.

The first day of school can be daunting for both students and teachers. New faces, new routines, and the weight of expectations can create a tense atmosphere.

Here are a few easy ways to lighten the mood and encourage interaction on that very first day:

• Greeting Line Party: Ditch the traditional desk-bound meet-and-greet. Instead, position yourself at the classroom door and create a vibrant greeting line. Play upbeat music and have students high-five or give a fist bump as they enter. This sets a positive tone for the day and allows for a quick, informal interaction with each student.
• Would You Rather Icebreaker: Pose a series of lighthearted “Would You Rather” questions that encourage students to think creatively and share their preferences. For example, “Would you rather have invisibility or the ability to fly?” or “Would you rather have pizza every day for a week or ice cream every day for a week?” This is a simple yet effective way to get students talking and laughing, easing any initial awkwardness.
• Find Your Learning Style Activity: Understanding a student’s preferred learning style is paramount to creating a successful learning environment. Distribute a brief questionnaire that asks students about their preferred learning methods (visual, auditory, kinesthetic) and group activities. Analyze the results and incorporate a variety of teaching styles throughout the year to cater to all learners

First Day of School Activities that aren’t wack.

1. Welcome to Our Class Student Survey

This downloadable survey (a great addition to your back to school lesson plans) is a fantastic way to gather valuable information about your students’ interests, preferred learning styles, and goals for the upcoming year.  Bonus tip: Personalize the classroom experience by incorporating a detail from each student’s survey onto their class roster.  This can be a springboard for easy conversation starters throughout the year.

2. Our Class Word Search

My students are always amazed when they see their names on our class word search. I once read that our name is the sweetest sound we hear! Use your class roster to create a word search that features the names of all your students.

A touch of social-emotional learning disguised as a fun activity! Students will be delighted to find their names hidden within a custom-made word search. This is a great opportunity to integrate technology by creating the word search digitally or use it as a quiet activity during the first few days.

3. Find Someone Who Activity

Encourage students to mingle and connect with their classmates through this interactive activity. Students will move around the room, interacting with their peers to discover who has done various activities over the summer. It’s a great icebreaker to not only spark conversations and build relationships, but it’s a great time to encourage movement! This is a simple yet effective way to break down social barriers and help students make new friends.

 

4. Back to School Word Search

Kick off the year with some brain-teasing fun! Students will enjoy this classic word search with a back-to-school and summer theme. It’s a delightful way to engage their minds and again, take a break! Ease students back into the academic groove with a brain-teasing word search featuring terms related to school supplies and summer fun.

A fun way to go over your Syllabus.

5. Syllabus Puzzle + Scavenger Hunt

Instead of being a talking head when reviewing your syllabus, try this activity. Students work in pairs to put the syllabus together and then they complete a syllabus scavenger hunt quiz! This is an interactive way to make something that’s boring, not so boring! Instead of the traditional lecture on classroom expectations, transform the syllabus into a collaborative activity!

Divide students into pairs and have them work together to reconstruct the syllabus puzzle piece(s).  Once complete, go on a school resources scavenger hunt to locate key areas mentioned in the syllabus, like the turn in bin or pencil sharpener.  This interactive approach fosters engagement and ensures a clear understanding of classroom procedures.

6. Classroom Scavenger Hunt

One of my favorite ways to familiarize students with the classroom is with a classroom scavenger hunt! Students will explore the primary areas of the classroom, like where to turn in assignments, where to sign out, absent center, etc.

Each location is labeled with a letter. When they are done, they will check their answers by unscrambling the letters to create a phrase.

Unraveling the clues can be done individually or in small groups, promoting exploration and teamwork.

 

All About Me Activities that are actually fun.

7. Welcome to my Channel

My middle schoolers LOVE YouTube, so I figured I would have them create a YouTube channel based on their interests! This activity encourages self-reflection and allows students to showcase their unique personalities and hobbies in a fun and modern way, and is a great opportunity to foster self-reflection. These would also make a fantastic bulletin board, sparking conversations throughout the year!

8. All About Me Time Capsule

Encourage students to reflect on their personal growth throughout the year with this meaningful activity. By creating a time capsule at the beginning and end of the year, students can witness their own development and celebrate how much they’ve changed over the year!

At the start of the school year, students create a time capsule filled with items that represent their current interests and goals. Revisiting the capsule at the end of the year allows them to witness their personal growth and celebrate their achievements.

 

9. Design a Virtual Locker

This activity was created during virtual learning when my students couldn’t have lockers. But, my students enjoy it so much that I’ve continued doing it! This activity was born out of necessity during virtual learning but has proven to be a hit with students regardless of the learning environment.

 

Students personalize a virtual locker space, showcasing their favorite things.   This is a lighthearted way to learn about their preferences and create a sense of classroom community.

Introduce yourself to students and their families with adorable Meet the Teacher templates.

10. Meet the Teacher Templates

I share my Meet the Teacher template on our class Canvas page and I present the Meet the Teacher slides at Back to School night! But you could also print and pass it out to parents at your Open House or Back to School night. The “favorites section” is also a great way to let parents know what gifts you may like, *wink*.

This was a great beginning of the year activity bundle! I was able to get to know my students and they were able to show their creative side!

— Sandy A.

5 out of 5

 

Building Relationships: Activities for the First Week

• Goal Setting for Success:  The start of a new school year is a prime time for goal setting.  Facilitate a discussion about the importance of setting goals and achieving them.  Provide students with templates or worksheets to brainstorm personal and academic goals for the upcoming school year.  These goals can be revisited throughout the year to track progress and celebrate accomplishments.
• Group Work Games:  Group work is an essential skill for middle school students.  You could dedicate some time during the first week to playing team-building games that encourage collaboration and communication.  Simple games like “Minute to Win It” challenges or charades can be effective in fostering a sense of teamwork and camaraderie.

Setting the Stage for Success: Activities Beyond the First Week

While the first week of school is crucial, building a strong classroom community is an ongoing process.  Here are a few suggestions for fostering positive relationships and a love of learning throughout the year:

• Get to Know You Stations:  Dedicate a class period to rotating stations that allow students to learn more about each other and their teacher.  Stations can include fun facts about students’ hobbies, favorite books, or even dream vacation destinations.  The teacher station can showcase their interests and background as well.

 

• Sticky Note Compliments:  Spread positivity throughout the classroom with a “sticky note compliment” activity.  Provide students with sticky notes and encourage them to write anonymous compliments for their classmates.  These compliments can be placed on desks, lockers, or a designated compliment board.

 

• Student-Led Discussions:  Empower students by incorporating student-led discussions into your lesson plans.  This can involve assigning specific topics for students to research and present to the class, or facilitating discussions based on assigned readings.  This fosters critical thinking skills, public speaking confidence, and a sense of ownership in the learning process.

 

• Field Trips and Guest Speakers:  Plan educational field trips or invite guest speakers to enrich the learning experience and expose students to the real-world applications of classroom concepts.  These experiences can spark curiosity, generate discussion, and create lasting memories.

 

First Week Activities for Middle School Conclusion

The first week of school is a golden opportunity to set the stage for a successful and enjoyable year. By incorporating fun and engaging activities into the first week, you can create a positive classroom environment where students feel excited, motivated, and connected.

Go ahead and try out these 10 first week activities for middle school!

 

Here’s to an unforgettable first week and a fantastic school year ahead!