With school starting and back-to-school in full swing, count down your days until students are rushing to get into the classroom doors with these 12 amazing (and have I mentioned free?) ideas. Whether a long break, or the new school year jitters, these strategies will make sure everyone transitions so smoothly and stress-free that we really can hear crickets chirping like it was just another regular smooth day of teaching and learning time (they tell me schooling).

1. Celebrate the First Day!

So why not bring back Day One as a celebration? Balloons, streamers, and a warm welcome can turn the school environment into one of joyous expectation. A fun alternative is to think of it as a “welcome back” social and include music, maybe some games, with possibly even more surprises! 🎉

2. Kickstart with icebreakers

And that calls for some fun icebreakers, am I right? From “Two Truths and A Lie” to a “Scavenger Hunt,” these activities allow students to get acquainted with each other, meet new people, and settle in.

3. Create a Vision Board.

Allow students to use the figure on their personal vision board for the school year. Ask them to think about their goals for the year across academics and extracurricular activities, then get creative. After hanging in the office, those boards will be a daily motivation pole and an ever-present reminder of what they are: collars, lost hats, etc.

4. Personalize learning spaces.

Surely the best « welcome back » is a space at your image! Inspire students to personalize their space by adding pictures, artwork (their own or famous pieces), and quotes on their desks or in lockers. This sense of ownership and ease is what makes the school feel like a second home. 🏡

5. Incorporate movement breaks.

Breaks should be fun, activity-based respites in the middle of a day to keep energy levels high and minds sharp. From a short dance-off to stretching, or even just taking the time for a walk around EAL grounds, students are guaranteed that they will get into their bodies in these movement breaks.

6. launch with a theme week

Kicking off the year with a spirit week is an easy way to ensure your students never forget that first week back. These spirit week themes vary from Pajama Day to Superhero Day, which adds fun and unity to the school. And let’s face it, it brings a little joy to the day for everyone! 🦸‍♂️

7. Use positive reinforcement.

Kick start contention of the year by challenging small rewards or gains. For encouragement and to keep students engaged, virtually reward your student with stickers or praise them (good job!), plus a “Student of the Day” moment in the spotlight. Be positive; remember, positivity is contagious.

8. Engage in goal setting

Support students by setting realistic, attainable goals for the school year. These goals, whether to get better marks, make friends, or even join a club, will give them something that they can enhance on and work towards, which gives direction. And just imagine the sense of satisfaction they will feel when they accomplish their goals!

9. A Reading Challenge That Will Make It Fun

What is life without a few challenges? Spark some excitement in your students with a back-to- school reading challenge. The goal is to simply encourage reading with fun, easy-to-use book challenges like “20 Books Before Winter” (and that awesome printable) and Reading Bingo.

10. Organize peer mentorship.

Assign incoming students a peer mentor to help with the transition. Mentors can be there to give advice or tips, and they are a friendly face in the hallway. in order to create a high-school culture in which people feel supported and connected immediately.

11. Incorporate hands-on learning

Kick the year off with some hands-on, project-based learning that requires students to be doing it and having fun. These are all interactive lessons, whether it be a science fair experiment, group project, or piece of art; they make memorizing fun. They are an anchor to the most exciting way in which informormatics could ever digest.

12. Reflection Friday

After that first week, I spent about 10 minutes back on day four for some reflection and sharing where the students could talk out their experiences so far this year. This fosters self-discipline and empowers teachers to rectify any issues as soon as they arise, so that no one feels overlooked or left behind.