DIGITAL and Printable Activities for Back to School {Distance Learning}

**UPDATED August 2020 with Google Slides,™ Powerpoint™ for Microsoft and Google Forms™ organization forms.

If you are looking for digital ONLY, click here.

During the first few weeks of school, you have SO much on your to-do list. Meet students, meet parents, assess students, build a strong community, teach routines and the list goes on. While I can't be in your classroom, I can make sure you have everything you need for a successful week.

*****After purchasing, you will download a Zip file. The zip file includes Editable Parent Pages in Powerpoint, a printable PDF, directions for accessing the Google Activities™ Powerpoint versions to upload to Microsoft, and the links to the activities in Seesaw. *****

This resource includes a PDF with printable activities as well as the links to Google Slides™ activities and Google Forms™ management forms. Instead of having separate resources for different grades, this resource now includes kindergarten, first grade, and second grade versions. I've also included 3rd-5th as well as generic versions if that suits your needs. These pages, however, are formatted for primary learners with large spaces for pictures and multiple options for writing.

When you download this resource, you will be taken to a zip folder. Make sure you have an unzipping program on your computer. Inside the folder, you will find editable versions of the forms in case you need to change the information! You'll also find a PDF with clickable links to the printable and digital versions. The digital activities are NOT the exact same as the printable. I've reformatted them to make them easier for primary learners to use within Google Slides™ or another format. {Seesaw versions will be updated by August 15th.)

Read Aloud Suggestions

I've included a detailed list of my favorite picture books for the first few weeks of school. I've listed the title, author, and central message or theme of over 35 picture books I've used in my classroom! Grab a few off of Amazon or at your school library, and set the tone for a year of amazing books!

Lesson Plan/Schedule {ideal for the traditional classroom setting and NOT virtual}

I've included a lesson plan for the first day of school to support you if you're not sure exactly what to expect! You could easily switch out the activities (that you can find right in this packet) to fill the second and third day of school! The plans are focused on community building before you start your formal schedule.

Management and Organization Forms

I've included over forms you might need during the first few weeks of school. Each page comes in a printable, editable, Google Slides™ and Google Forms™.

· Student Information Sheet (2 Pages)
· Remote Learning Questionnaire (2 Pages)
· Parent Information
· Parent Survey
· Volunteer Sign Up
· Transportation Form {this is also included on the student info sheet}
· School Supplies Letter
· School Supplies Checklist
· Parent Sign In Form
· Attendance Form
· Parent Contact Form

All About Me Book

This book is perfect to keep out all week and use when you need a quick filler or for fast finishers to work on as you assess your new students!

Printable

· Cover Page
· The Best Thing About Me (3 versions)
· At School I Love/Don't Love
· My Learning
· I'm a Reader
· My Favorites
· My Family (3 versions)

Digital

· Cover Page
· The Best Things About Me (with picture support)
· Things I Love About School (with picture support)
· Things I Don't Love About School (with picture support)
· I Really Love to Learn (with picture support)
· I Really Love to Read
· My Favorite Things
· My Favorite Animals (with picture support)
· My Favorite Foods (with picture support)
· My Favorite Places (with picture support)
· My Favorite Activities (with picture support)
· All About My Family
· My Favorite Where I Live (with picture support)
· When I Grow Up (with picture support)

All About Kinder/First Graders/Second Graders

This whole group activity allows you to set the tone for the rest of the year! Students will help you fill out a graphic organizer and describe what students can do, have, are, will do, and need. Students love to share their ideas, and it allows you to introduce growth mindset, kindness, responsibility, and more.

Printable

· Grade Level Headings in Color and Black/White
· Can/Have/Are/Will/Need in Color and Black/White
· Clipart to add
· 2 Student Graphic Organizers (circle version and tree version)
· 2 Student Flipbooks (can/have/are/will/need AND do/don't)

Digital

· Writing Page
· Circle Graphic Organizer
· Do/Don't Picture Sort
· Do/Don't Scenario Sort

My Heart Map Printable and Digital Activity

Before we can start writing time, it's important that our students brainstorm things that are important to them! Not only is this a formative assessment for students spelling and stamina, it allows you to get to know some of their favorite things! Your students will complete a heart map of things they love to keep in their writing folder or notebook. In Google Slides,™ students can pull in photos or type in the sections.

Goal Setting

In order to have a successful year together, it's important to teach students about goal setting from the very beginning! Work together to brainstorm some goals, and then students will complete a writing page about goals that they have.

Printable

· Poster Headings
· My Goals For The Year (5 versions)
· Goal Flipbook
· My Goals at Home/My Goals at School Flipbook

Digital

· My Goals For the Year (with picture support)
· I Want to Get Better At (with picture support)
· I Can Meet My Goals

First Day Feelings

It's more important than ever that we help our students process their emotions. This activity gives you an opportunity to model sharing your feelings and possible emotions during the first week of school. Creating a class graph builds math instruction and problem-solving into your day immediately. You can introduce counting and graphing on the very first day without any formal math instruction! Have students share their first day feelings with a shoulder partner (or neighbor) and then add it to the class chart. After your whole group activity, students will do some writing about how they feel on the first day.

Printable

· Poster Headings
· Graphing Pieces
· First Day Feelings(3 versions)

Digital

· My Feelings About This Year (with and without picture support)
· My Feelings About This Year Writing Page

A Good Teacher/A Good Student

I absolutely love having a discussion with my students about what they need from their teacher! I love their responses, and it gives me some background on their previous school experience. THEN, I get to share what I want from THEM! This discussion lets me introduce what they need to do to be successful all year long! Printable

· Poster Headings
· A Good Teacher Graphic Organizer
· A Good Student Graphic Organizer
· A Good Teacher/A Good Student Flipbook

Digital

· A Good Teacher
· A Good Teacher Scenario Sort
· What Makes a Good Student
· A Good Student Scenario Sort

A Good Friend

Teaching our students to be good friends is so much deeper than "good friends are nice" and "good friends share." We have the opportunity to discuss friendships that are built on empathy and respect. This activity allows your class to discuss standing up for others, including others and comforting others when they are down.

Printable

· "What Makes A Good Friend" Poster Headings
· Good Friends Graphic Organizer
· Good Friends Cut/Glue Sort

Digital

· I'm a Good Friend
· A Good Friend Graphic Organizer
· A Good Friend Picture Sort

We Know A Lot! Printable Activities

I believe it's very important that our students know we are all teachers, and we are all learners! In this activity, students will share something they know a lot about! Then they will reflect how they can help their peers (or their teacher) learn about something new! You'll gain insight into their confidence level and interests as well! Printable

· "We Know A Lot" Poster Headings
· I Know A Lot (4 versions)

Digital

· I Really Know A Lot (2 versions)
· I Really Know A Lot Fact Page

Class Rules

Work WITH your students to discuss and develop your classroom rules. I've included poster headings for popular rules as well as matching clipart.

Printable

• Class Rules Poster Headings
• Our Class Rules (3 versions)
• The Most Important Rule (4 versions)
• Our Class Rules Flipbook (does follow the rules/doesn't follow the rules)

Digital

· Our Class Rules (5 versions)
· The Most Important Rule (2 versions)
· Follow the Rules Picture Sort
· Face Mask Rules
· True/False Sort

Lunch Choices

If your classroom is like mine, lunch time can be a challenge at the beginning of the year! Instead of constantly putting out fires, take time to discuss expectations at lunch time and encourage great behavior! Your students will help you sort Silly and Smart lunch choices, and then write about them.

Printable

· Smart/Silly Lunch Choices Poster Headers and Sorting Cards
· Lunch Choices (3 Versions)
· Leader at Lunchtime Reward Certificate (color and black/white)

Digital

· Choices Picture Sort
· Lunch Time Rules
· Lunch Time Rules I Will/I Won't

Classroom Problems and Solutions

This activity allows you to set your students up to be problem solvers, AND discuss common classroom problems and how to fix them. Work with your students to come up with solutions BEFORE they happen so that they are prepared to work independently! I encourage you to keep this anchor chart up all year long and add to it.

Printable

· Problem/Solution Chart Headers
· 12 Scenario Cards (color and black/white)
· Problem and Solution
Digital
· 12 Problem Cards (with student writing space)
· 6 Distance Learning Cards (with student writing space)
· 6 Blank Problem Cards (with student writing space
· Problem/Solution

Hallway Behavior

Create a chart with your students about appropriate hallway behavior, and then sing a song together as a reminder!

Printable Only

1. Walk in a straight line.

2. Turn your voices off.

3. Look straight ahead.

4. Keep hands by your side.

5. Use quiet walking feet.

The following pages are included:

· Poster Headings
· Rules and Pictures
· Writing Page (3 versions)
· 2 Versions of "I'm Ready for the Hall" poem

Glue Craft (Printable Only)

To teach students how to use glue correctly, I've included an original poem to read together and display. Then, students will practice using a few small dots of glue to decorate the letter of their name with torn construction paper.

Extra Activities

Because every classroom is different, I've included extra activities that you can choose to use whenever! These activities are simple enough that students can complete them independently!

Printable

· Buddy Bingo
· All About My Day
· Dear Teacher Letter (8 versions)
· My New Friend
· My Summer Break (2 versions)
· Classroom Scavenger Hunt
· First Day of School Coloring Page
· My Self Portrait
· School Words Search

Digital

· Buddy Bingo
· All About My Day
· All About My Week
· Dear Teacher (3 versions)
· My New Friend
· My Summer Break
· School Words Search (and create your own)

Virtual Learning Digital Activities

I've included several pages for students to complete as you discuss expectations around virtual/distance learning.

· Class Meeting (2 versions)
· Class Meetings Picture Sort
· Class Meeting Rules I Will/I Won't
· True/False Sort
· My Favorite Thing (students will write about their favorite thing at home and share it with the class during an online meeting)
· Home Scavenger Hunt to share with the class
· Dear Family Letter
· My Learning Tools Writing Page

Friendship Snapshots Printable Activity

This quick activity makes a perfect back to school bulletin board! Students simply draw and write about being a good friend on a "polaroid" and then cut it out! Hang them on string or on a bulletin board for an adorable display that encourages being kind!

Summer Break Craft Printable Activity

Students will use the template to make a simple sun and then write about their summer break. Assess students writing, spelling, stamina, and fine motor during the first few days, and then hang it up for an adorable display!

Notebook Cover Pages to Color/Decorate

· Science (including "Things I Want to Learn About")
· STEM
· Writing
· Math (including "Math About Me" and "When I Use Math")
· Spelling
· Phonics
· Reading
· Language Arts
· Social Studies
· Word Work

Additional Ideas

I've included teacher information pages about other things you might want to do during the first week of school. These pages are ideal for a new teacher (or new to a grade level) that isn't sure exactly how to fill their first few days, or that wants to make sure they don't miss anything important!

Photo Props

I've also included a few versions of a photo prop that students can hold on the first day of school! They make a perfect parent gift or keepsake!

This packet could easily be used for the first (or even second) week of school once you start building in academics! Keep all the extra pages on hand for fast finishers, or as morning work. With the help of these pages, you'll be MORE than ready for the first week of school!