Everything a Teacher Needs to Start the School Year Right
Hey teacher!
Starting the school year can feel overwhelming, but with a little preparation and the right tools, you can set the tone for a successful and enjoyable year.
From planning engaging first-day activities to organising your classroom, we've compiled everything a teacher needs to start the school year right.
Whether you're looking for back-to-school resources, tasty recipes, or inspiring classroom decor ideas, we've got you covered. Let’s make this year your best one yet!
Five Things to Do on the First Day of School
Building a strong classroom community starts with the first day of school. To help get the year off to a successful start, we've come up with some of our favourite first-day activities that make the classroom feel special.
Downtime Activities
The first week of term is crazy, trust us, we know! Scheduling in some designated downtime is a great way to let yourself and your students decompress and recharge!
Below are a few ideas that you may want to include in your week 1 planning! Just a few minutes of quiet time can go a long way in helping everyone be in the best mindset to tackle the rest of the week!
For You...
Five-Minute Movement
Incorporate quick five-minute movement breaks throughout the day. These breaks can involve stretching exercises, a short dance session to energising music, or even a few yoga poses. Physical movement can help alleviate stress and boost energy levels. Your students will love doing this with you as well!
Personal Reflection Time
Dedicate a short period at the end of each day during the first week to reflect on successes, challenges, and goals. Use this time to jot down thoughts in a journal, review plans for the next day, or simply unwind and mentally prepare for the next day.
For Your Students...
Question of the day!
Pose a thought-provoking or fun question to the class and encourage everyone to share their responses. Questions like "If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?" or "What's one thing you're excited to learn this year?" can spark interesting conversations.
Icebreaker game!
Engage students in icebreaker activities like "Two Truths and a Lie," "Find Someone Who," or "The Human Knot" to encourage interaction, laughter, and sharing among students.
Smart and Simple Classroom Organisation Ideas
Who doesn’t love some classroom organisation inspo? We’ve got you covered with a collection of awesome ideas to help keep your space tidy and functional.
Check out these clever solutions that will make organising your classroom a breeze!
Simplifying Classroom Organisation with Colour-Coded Stickers
Here’s a great idea from @theteacherstudent! She ordered colour-coded stickers to mark each copy cover, making it so much easier to find a misplaced copy without sorting through every basket.
A simple solution that saves time and keeps things organised!
Budget-Friendly Classroom Organisation Tip
If you're looking to organise your classroom on a budget, check out this clever idea from @lonestarclassroom!
She swears by this brochure holder for keeping her checklists neat and easily accessible. It's a simple solution that can make a big difference in staying organised!
Creative Stationery Organisation with a Stylish Twist
How cool is this stationery organisation idea from @notquitehogwarts?
These herb posts in a frame are a creative and functional way to store classroom supplies.
You could try using similar frames for other classroom resources that you use regularly.
Space-Saving Board Game Storage Idea
Check out this genius idea from @hello_fifth! She used zippered pouches to store board games, recycling the bulky boxes and saving tons of space.
It’s a simple yet effective way to keep your classroom neat and organised while making the most of your storage!
Organise in Style with Classroom Caddies
Classroom caddies are giving all the organisational goodness, as shown by @the.organised.teacher! These caddies are perfect for keeping supplies neat and easily accessible.
Plus, a little side note—our editable labels work perfectly for labelling each caddy to keep everything in its place!
Colour-Coding for Easy Classroom Organisation
Here’s a clever classroom organisation hack from @missfeeney! She uses colour-coded washi tape on students’ jotters to make group teaching and independent work a breeze.
This simple yet effective solution helps kids quickly grab the right jotter and get started on their tasks. Sometimes, the simplest ideas make the biggest difference!
Stylish and Organised Classroom Essentials
Here’s a beautifully organised space from @create_inspire_teach! She’s found the perfect way to keep daily necessities all in one pretty little place. With hanging containers from IKEA, everything is neatly stored and easy to access.
What a lovely way to combine function and style in the classroom!
Clever and Cost-Effective Classroom Hacks
Here’s a great teacher hack from @kinder_charm! She loves using facial scrubbers as dry erase board erasers—such a clever and cost-effective idea. They’re soft, durable, and perfect for keeping your whiteboard spotless throughout the day!
Perfectly Spaced Letters Made Easy
Here’s a genius teacher hack from @truelifeimateacher! She shares a simple trick to perfectly space and arrange letters on your bulletin board or wall.
Lay them out flat the way you want them to look, use painters tape or washi tape to hold the design together, and then easily attach it to the wall.
After a few staples or hot glue, remove the tape, and voilà—perfectly spaced letters every time!
Engage and Inspire with Our Back-to-School Resources
We’ve got you covered with our back-to-school digital resources! Whether you need engaging first-day activities, fun “All About Me” worksheets, or editable templates, our collection is here to help you start the school year smoothly. These resources are perfect for creating a welcoming and organised space for your students from day one.
Our Favourite Back To School Books
Books For Prep to Year Three
Introducing a story to your Prep to Grade 3 students is a fantastic way to spark their curiosity and set the tone for the school year. Reading together helps build connection, encourage empathy, and create opportunities for meaningful discussions. Here are some of our favourite books to share with young learners!
Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen: This heartwarming story helps children feel safe, included, and loved in their classroom, building a sense of community where it’s okay to make mistakes and be themselves.
Kindergarrrten Bus by Mike Ornstein: A pirate captain drives the bus on the first day of school, helping ease anxieties with humour and pirate-speak while teaching kids the importance of bravery and following the rules.
Can U Save the Day? by Shannon Stocker: When the vowels leave after being teased by B, the consonants realise just how essential they are. This playful story highlights teamwork and the importance of every role.
Mae the Mayfly by Denise Brennan-Nelson: Mae learns to embrace life’s fleeting moments despite its challenges, teaching children the importance of mindfulness and living in the present.
Be Big! Beatrice's First Day of First Grade by Katie Kizer: Beatrice, with the help of her butterfly friend Benjamin, learns to overcome her fears and embrace her uniqueness on her first day of school, inspiring children to be bold and confident.
Sweet People Are Everywhere by Alice Walker: A poetic journey across the globe introduces children to the idea that kindness and sweet people can be found in every corner of the world.
Ronnie and His Grit by Ronnie Lott & Leslie Harter: This inspiring story shows young readers the power of perseverance and grit, encouraging them to face challenges with courage.
Books For Year Four to Six
Having a book to read with your Year 4-6 students during the first week or so of school is a wonderful way to help them settle in and create a positive atmosphere. It also provides a great opportunity to spark discussions and touch on important topics. Check out these books to get started!
Enemy Pie by Derek Munson: A boy learns to turn enemies into friends using his father’s special recipe, offering a heartwarming lesson in friendship.
The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi : Unhei grapples with her identity after moving to America, sparking important discussions on diversity and inclusion, making it an ideal first-day read.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio: Follows August, a fifth-grader with a facial difference, teaching empathy, kindness, and acceptance as he navigates school life.
The Boy in the Back of the Class by Onjali Q. Rauf: A story about a group of friends helping a Syrian refugee named Ahmet, perfect for starting conversations about empathy and inclusion.
The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths: A fun and creative read that sparks imagination and humour, encouraging students to embrace their creative selves.
Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks: Joe and Ravi, two boys from very different backgrounds, form an unlikely friendship as they unite to take on a common enemy – the biggest bully in their class – and take control of their lives over the course of a challenging week.
Trying by Kobi Yamada: A story for anyone who has ever felt like a beginner, faced doubts, or experienced the pain of trying something new and not succeeding, encouraging readers to keep going despite setbacks.
Tasty Toolkit for Teachers
Check out these 6 nutritious and easy meal ideas to power through the first week of school! These quick recipes are perfect for busy mornings, hectic lunchtimes, and after-school refuelling. Stay nourished and energised with these simple yet delicious dishes.
Mango Oat Bars
These mango oat bars are a perfect on-the-go breakfast or snack.
Packed with oats and natural sweetness from the mango, they provide a boost of energy and keep you going through your busy day.
Easy Jar Salad
A simple and vibrant meal that you can prep in advance. Layer your favourite vegetables, grains, and protein in a jar for a portable lunch that’s as fresh as it is convenient.
Chicken and Vegetable Hummus Wraps
These wraps are loaded with lean chicken, crunchy vegetables, and creamy hummus.
They’re an easy-to-make, filling meal that’s perfect for a quick lunch or dinner when you need something satisfying.
Coconut Chicken Curry
This coconut chicken curry is a rich and comforting dish, full of flavour and packed with protein. It’s easy to make and can be stored for multiple meals, making it a perfect option for meal prep during the busy school week.
Freezable Zucchini Slice Bake
This zucchini slice bake is a real time-saver! Make a big batch, freeze individual portions, and have a hearty, healthy meal ready to go whenever you need it. Perfect for busy school days.
Microwave Nachos
Quick, easy, and oh-so-delicious! These microwave nachos are a fun, light meal for those moments when you need something tasty and fast. Load them with your favourite toppings for a satisfying treat.
Create a Space That Sparks Learning and Creativity
Transform your classroom into a welcoming and inspiring space with our editable décor resources! From bulletin board designs to labels and posters, our digital downloads make it easy to create a personalised and organised environment your students will love. Start the school year with a space that feels both functional and inviting!
Websites We Love!
Bookmark some of our favourite websites that you can use in Term 1!
Sketch
Sketch is an interactive platform where students work can be uploaded and then animated to move around! This is a great tool to bring your students work to life!
Miro
Miro is a collaborative online whiteboard platform that educators can use in various ways to enhance remote or in-person teaching and facilitate interactive learning experiences. Miro could be used in your classroom for brainstorming, mind mapping and collaborative projects.
Unsplash
Unsplash is an image platform where you can access high quality images for free. Images can be incorporated into the classroom in many ways, check out these ideas below!
Writing Prompts:
Show a daily picture as a writing prompt. Ask students to write a short story, poem, or journal entry inspired by the image.
Inquiry Skills, Critical Thinking and Inference:
Use pictures that are open to interpretation or contain hidden details. Encourage students to make inferences, analyse the content, and discuss what they see.
Foster discussions about what might have happened before or after the moment captured in the picture.
Geography and Cultural Studies
Share pictures from around the world to introduce students to different cultures, landmarks, and geography.
The Hive
With the Hive, teachers have all the tools they need to make their classroom organisation a breeze and keep their students actively learning.
VOOKS
Vooks is the perfect way to keep your class entertained while still helping them learn and grow. With interactive stories and educational content, Vooks offers students an entertaining and engaging way to explore the world of reading.
BTN
BTN informs students about the world around them, enabling them to stay updated with news and events from across the globe. The show is a great way for students in the older years to explore topics!
Last Minute Stock Up!
Term 1 is just around the corner... HOW CRAZY!
Don't forget to stock up on your essential (and pretty) stationery and planning items! Start Term 1 off organised and excited for a seamless transition!
The start of a new school year is the perfect time to refresh your classroom, set meaningful goals, and foster a positive environment for your students.
With these ideas, resources, and tips in hand, you’ll feel ready to tackle whatever comes your way.
Here’s to an organised, creative, and successful school year—happy teaching!
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