Back to school is such an exciting time—but let’s be real… the to-do list? It’s never-ending. I’ve had years where I felt totally on top of things with routines, organization, and classroom setup—only to realize I hadn’t actually planned the first week of lessons. That’s exactly why I created this back to school resource. It gives you everything you need to ease into the year with purpose, fun, and flexibility.
A Full Week, Done for You
That first week can feel a little wild. Your little ones are navigating so many unknowns, and anxiety is high. Having simple, structured, and meaningful lessons in place can make a huge difference. These activities were created with kindergarten and first grade in mind.
They help children settle in while learning how to treat others, what school is all about, and how the classroom runs each day
Building Routine with Literacy Tools
Every morning, I welcome my students to the rug and kick things off with a “Welcome to School” song. It’s upbeat, easy to remember, and the kids love singing it at home too—I always send it home with them!
We follow up with a favorite back to school read-aloud and then jump into our school-themed word cards. Each card includes a picture and word, so learners at every level can participate. The tracing and recording sheets are perfect for early writers and support word-to-picture association.
Exploring “What We Do at School”
This activity is all about helping kids understand their new world. You can use the printable version on regular paper and write on it together, or…
If you’re like me and love anchor charts, print it poster-size, laminate, and reuse it each year with dry erase markers. (Our amazing school secretary helps make this happen!) Another easy option? Project the image and trace it onto poster paper.
Use it to guide a class brainstorm on all the things we do at school. Then, send students off to write or draw about what they’ve learned. The resource includes three leveled versions to support every type of writer.
As an extension, you can send your learners back to their tables to write or draw about what they learned. This resource includes three different levels of this activity for all types of writers.
Be a Good Friend
Teaching little ones how to treat others is a big part of those early weeks. This activity includes a song and posters to spark conversations around kindness, respect, and friendship. You can lead a group discussion, then work together to come up with class expectations around how we treat each other.
Encouraging Problem Solvers
I know—it’s so tempting to jump in and fix everything. But when we give students tools to solve problems on their own? Everything flows better.
Start with the Problem Solver anchor chart, and brainstorm strategies as a class. Then, let each student decorate their own problem solver hat with ways they’ve already handled challenges.
I come back to these lessons every single year. They’re flexible, low-prep, and—most importantly—effective. They help you focus on community, routine, and confidence-building, all while giving your students a gentle, fun start to the year.
These are just a few of the activities included in my Back to School Thematic Unit. Click below to check out the full resource and get your first week planned in minutes!
