Hey teachers! Let’s face it, the first day of school can feel like an eternity, especially when you’re trying to keep a room full of teenagers engaged. Papers to sign, procedures to explain – enough to make anyone yawn. But what if I told you there’s a way to make that first day FLY by? Ditch the boring lectures and tired icebreakers, because today I am serving up three activities that are guaranteed to make your first day fly by! These 3 awesome first day activities are guaranteed to get your middle and high school students engaged (and maybe even smiling!). 

1. First day activities: Syllabus scavenger hunt

Ugh, the syllabus. It’s the necessary evil for a first day activities. But let’s face it, just handing it out and praying for students to absorb it by osmosis is about as effective as, well, hoping for perfect attendance. This year, ditch the lecture and turn that syllabus into a first day throwdown with a Syllabus Scavenger Hunt!

Why a scavenger hunt? It’s more than just fun and games!

First, it’s engaging! Students get to work in teams, move around the classroom, and actually hunt for information. This is way more interesting than staring at a wall of text, right?

Second, it gets them reading the syllabus (gasp!). By hiding key information throughout the document, students are forced to dig in and find the answers. This means fewer questions about late work policies later on – woohoo!

But how do I make it happen?

• Get Creative with Your Clues: Don’t just list page numbers. Turn the information into riddles, challenges, or even QR codes that lead them to specific sections.
• Make it a Team Effort: Working in small groups encourages collaboration and communication – skills they’ll need all year long.
• Spice it Up with a Prize: A little friendly competition never hurt anyone! Offer a small reward for the first team to complete the hunt correctly. Bonus points for the most creative answer presentation!

Here are some first day of class scavenger hunt ideas to get you started:

• Find the Funky Fact! Hide a fun fact about yourself (favorite movie, hidden talent) somewhere in the syllabus and have them decipher the clue.
• Act it Out! Challenge them to create a short skit that represents a key policy (like the late work policy, for example).
• Design a Meme! This is a great way to test their understanding of course expectations in a humorous way.

Bonus Tip: Turn the completed Scavenger Hunt sheets into a review activity. Go over the answers as a class and discuss any points of confusion. This way, everyone is on the same page from the get-go.

2. First day activities: Investigate the teacher

Tired of the same old “tell me about myself” spiel? Turn the tables with a fun “Investigate the Teacher” activity.

Why investigate the teacher?

First, it breaks the ice! Students get to know you in a fun, low-pressure way. Shy goodbyes to awkward introductions and hello to a more approachable teacher!

Second, it encourages critical thinking! By analyzing clues, students hone their observation and inference skills. Bonus points if they can connect the clues to foreshadow your teaching style (are those Legos a hint for a hands-on classroom?).

How to set up this first day activity

Grab some brown paper lunch bags. In each one, hide a few objects that represent your hobbies, interests, or even quirky personality traits. Think a well-worn baseball mitt, a dog bandana (complete with drool marks, maybe?), or a foreign language phrasebook.

Hide the bags strategically around the room. On desks, behind books, even taped under chairs – get creative!

Divide your students into teams and unleash them in the classroom. Their mission? To deduce what each object reveals about their mysterious teacher!

Dedicate some time after the investigation for students to share their findings with the class. This will spark conversation and help them connect the dots about the “real you” behind the teacher persona.

Once the teams have presented their deductions, share the “real” story behind each object. This is a great opportunity to share anecdotes and personal experiences that make you, you.

Turning inferences into “Aha!” moments

The best part? There’s no wrong answer (well, kind of). Encourage them to think outside the box and connect the dots. Maybe the dusty globe hints at a love of travel, or the paint-splattered smock screams hidden artistic talent.

This activity goes beyond just fun. It encourages critical thinking, observation skills, and teamwork – all essential tools for a successful school year. Plus, it sets a lighthearted and engaging tone for the class.

3. First day activities: Create about me slideshows

Icebreakers can feel forced, but what about a chance for students to showcase themselves? Have students create short slideshows introducing themselves. They can include hobbies, achievements, or even a fun fact. This is a great way for classmates to get to know each other in a low-pressure setting, and who knows, they might discover some unexpected common interests!

Instead of bombarding students with 15 slides about their entire life story (who has that much time?), have them create a single slide that’s basically a visual autobiography. Think of it as a digital collage that showcases their passions, hobbies, and anything else that makes them, well, them!

Here’s why this first day activity is a win-win:

• Quick and Easy: One slide? Students can breathe a sigh of relief. This low-pressure activity is perfect for first-day jitters.
• Visually Engaging: Pictures speak a thousand words, right? A well-crafted collage can reveal a lot more about a person than a paragraph ever could.
• Conversation Starter: These one-slide selfies become a springboard for discussions and help students find common ground with classmates.

Suggest categories for students to consider including (hobbies, family, travel, etc.) This helps them focus and avoid information overload. Encourage students to use funky fonts, cool layouts, and even add a short caption to their collage. After students create their slides, have them share them with the class. This is a fun way to get everyone talking and break the ice.

Related Articles and Resources:

• Investigate the teacher activity
• First day of biology activities
• 5 best back to school tips for high school teachers

These are just a few ideas to get those creative juices flowing. The key is to make the first day interactive, informative, and (dare we say) FUN! Remember, a positive first impression goes a long way in setting the tone for the rest of the year. So ditch the dread and get ready for a fantastic first day! What are your favorite first day activities? Share them in the comments below!