The first week of school is full of unexpected little gaps. An activity finishes early, you have ten minutes before lunch, or you simply need something calm while you organise supplies and help students settle in.
That is why I created this set of free back-to-school worksheets for Kindergarten and first grade.
The activities use simple instructions and plenty of pictures, so young students can participate without needing strong reading skills. They are easy to prepare and flexible enough to use throughout the first week.
What's Included?
The free pack includes three back-to-school activities in both American and British/Australian spelling.
Find a Friend Who…
Students move around the classroom to find classmates who match different prompts, such as someone who:
- has a pet dog;
- likes reading;
- can ride a bike;
- has a sister; or
- can count to ten.
Before beginning, model how to approach a classmate, ask a question and listen to the answer. You can also pair students or complete the activity as a class if they are not yet ready to move around independently.
It is a simple way to practice speaking and listening while helping students discover things they have in common.
Back-to-School Would You Rather?
Students look at pairs of pictures and color their preferred choice. Would they rather have a cat or a dog? Travel by plane or car? Read a book or write a story?
Because the choices are illustrated, beginning readers can complete the worksheet with minimal assistance.
Afterwards, use the choices for partner discussions or create quick class graphs. Ask students to move to different sides of the room to show their answers and compare which choice was the most popular.
My Favourite School Activity
This simple drawing page asks students to illustrate their favorite school activity.
Use it near the end of the first day or save it until Friday so students have experienced more of their new classroom. Children can share their pictures with a partner, and you can use their responses to learn more about what they have enjoyed.
Download Your Freebie Now
You can download the complete set of Free Back-to-School Worksheets below. Both American and British/Australian spelling options are included.
What's Included?
The first week of school is full of unexpected little gaps. An activity finishes early, you have ten minutes before lunch, or you simply need something calm while you organise supplies and help students settle in.
That is why I created this set of free back-to-school worksheets for Kindergarten and first grade.
The activities use simple instructions and plenty of pictures, so young students can participate without needing strong reading skills. They are easy to prepare and flexible enough to use throughout the first week.
Need More Activities for the First Week?
If you would like more of your first week planned, my Back-to-School First Day and Weekly Activities Bundle includes editable first-day plans, school-tour activities, classroom expectation sorts, feelings activities, discussion cards, crowns, writing pages and more.
You might also like my All About Me Pennant Craft. Students draw their family and favorite things before choosing a topper to personalise their pennant. The finished crafts create a colourful and meaningful first-week classroom display.
The beginning of the year is also the perfect time to teach essential routines. My Bathroom and Handwashing Procedures Pack includes illustrated procedure posters, student booklets, sequencing activities and simple reminder signs to help young students become more independent.
Learn More + Freebies
I hope these free activities make your first week a little easier—and give you a few extra moments to enjoy getting to know your new class!
I also have a few freebies available here on my website on these blog posts:
- The Classroom Rule that Reduces Interruptions (freebie included)
- Teaching Young Learners to Read and Care for Books (freebie included)
- Clasroom Rules that Actually Work (freebie included)
- Hydration Station and Sanitation Station (freebie included)
14 Responses
These are so cute! Thanks for sharing!
☼Kate
To The Square Inch
I love these! I love your font!!!!
Michelle
Teach123
Thanks Kate and Michelle!
Kylie
Very cute! Thanks for sharing! I will put them in my file for September! Would you mind making a version for your up-North followers without the u in favorite and color?
Thanks!
Ali
alischepis(at)gmail.com
Sure Ali, usually I do both spellings, but I didn’t think anyone in America would want it since you are not starting your year – sorry! You can click on the links now and it’ll take you to a new version that has both copies, just print the American spelling one.
Kylie
Thanks so much!! I am always looking for new things to start the year! I really appreciate it!
Hope your year has started off well!!
Ali
I like it!
Squirrel-Bottom Diaries
Hello from your newest follower! I just love your blog design 🙂 Thanks for the get to know you form! I’ll save it for the fall.
Amanda
aw – cute! THank you 🙂 Hope your year started off well!
♥ Jen
The Teachers’ Cauldron
Kylie,
Thanks for the great resource, I’ll file it away until September! I love your blog!
Sally from ElementaryMatters
I’m tagging you! Come by my blog to see what it’s all about!
http://herdingkats.blogspot.com/2012/01/winners-and-tagged.html
Jennifer @ Herding Kats In Kindergarten
Kylie, Thank you for the great Intro sheet! I really appreciate your generosity!!
Nancy
Mrs. Stoltenberg’s Second Grade Class
I can’t seem to download or print the file.. there are fonts that words that have been blurred out.
thank u for this. God bless!