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Back To School Activities
Welcome your students back with activities that set a positive tone for the year ahead. This collection includes icebreakers, team-building exercises, and goal-setting projects designed to foster a supportive classroom environment. By integrating these back to school activities into your first days, you can help students feel connected and ready to learn.
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Back-to-School Icebreakers after Winter Break (for Middle School)
Back To School, Holidays, Holiday & Seasonal, First Day of School, New Year's Day, January, Months, Winter, Seasons, Grade 6, 7, 8, Activities, Lesson Plans, Teacher Tools, Worksheets & Printables
Start the new semester with confidence and connection. This 90-minute Back-to-School Icebreakers lesson is designed for middle school (Grades 6–8) and works perfectly after winter break. It helps students reconnect, reflect, and reset in a calm and supportive way. The lesson includes engaging icebreakers, goal-setting tasks, movement activities, and guided reflection . Students share break highlights, set academic and personal goals, and think about the year ahead. Low-pressure discussions help rebuild trust and classroom community. Clear routines help students shift from vacation mode to a learning mindset. Everything is ready to use . You get structured activities, clear timing, and a printable student worksheet that guides the entire lesson. No extra prep is needed. Activities balance writing, talking, and movement, so all learners can participate. SEL, communication skills, and classroom culture are all supported in this session. Additionally, it provides teachers with important information on the needs and perspectives of their students. Ideal for the first day back. Set a cheerful tone. Gain momentum. Get the semester off to a great start.
Author Bright Classroom Ideas Marketplace
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Tags Icebreaker, Middle School, Back-to-school, Winter, Lesson, Lesson Plan, Worksheet
Grocery Game: Estimating, Adding, and Multiplying Decimals - Fall Edition
Holiday & Seasonal, Seasons, Fall, Holidays, Back To School, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Math, Decimals, Money, Grade 4, 5, 6, 7, Activities, Games
Do you want your students to practice loads of decimal operations and money math without using a worksheet? Try this fun math game that your whole class can play while they pretend to grocery shop and stick to a budget! Here is a brand new version of my popular grocery game. There are three rounds included (Back to School, Halloween, and Thanksgiving) with five food items in each round! This math game allows students to practice estimating, adding, and multiplying with decimal numbers in a fun and engaging way! It is a fun, whole class math game that you need to be able to project in your classroom on an interactive whiteboard. Students follow along using scrap paper or a mini whiteboard to complete their calculations. As students play, they practice estimating to stay within a pre-determined shopping budget. They have to multiply & add with decimal numbers: great applied math! Since this is a PowerPoint Presentation, you are able to move the boxes covering the price of each item after students make their guess: just like a real game show! Instructions: 1) Decide on a target range. A higher range will require more challenging multiplication. If the range is tighter, it will be more difficult to win. I usually use a range such as $50-$52. 2) Tell students they must buy at least 4 of the 5 products. Students need to have a piece of paper and a pencil for calculations. 3) Choose a student to pick the first product. She needs to estimate the price for one of them, decide how many she wants to buy, and estimate how much that will cost. “I think the cheese is about $5, I want 3, so that will be around $15.” 4) Then show the price (by moving the red box with your cursor), and all students calculate the cost by hand. For example, 3 x 5.75 = 17.25. This is the start of the running total. 5) Choose another student to buy the second product. Again, have him or her estimate before calculating. Then allow all the students to calculate the cost of the second product. For example 4 x 3.19 = 12.76. 6) Now students have to switch from multiplying to adding decimals. They add the price of the second product to their running total. 17.25 + 12.76 = 30.01 7) Continue with the third, fourth, and fifth (if necessary) product. 8) Students try to spend between $50-52. It’s not always easy! Talk to the class about different strategies such as saving an inexpensive product for the end. Grades to Use With: This is a fun math game for grades 4-7 when you are studying money, grocery shopping, and decimal operations. Even kids in middle school will have fun playing along! What's Included: 5-Page PowerPoint Presentation with 3 Rounds and Teacher Instructions If you enjoy this math game, check out my other rounds: Original Grocery Game Spring Grocery Game Winter Grocery Game
Author Grace Under Pressure
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Tags Grocery Game, Multiplying Decimals , Estimating, Price Is Right, Money, Adding, Decimals, Adding Decimals Games, Thanksgiving Math, Halloween Math
Roll and Draw Your Name or Favorite Word Alphabet Game Sheets
Holiday & Seasonal, Creative Arts, Art, Holidays, Back To School, Fine Arts, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Activities, Games, Projects
Roll and Draw Your Name or Favorite Word Alphabet Game Sheets | Typography Art Project This is a great enrichment drawing resource that is easy-to-implement and low prep teaching resource that focuses on typography artwork depicting students' names or favorite words. This resource brings a fun and engaging approach to regular classroom lessons, homeschooling activities, letter of the week activities, back-to-school projects or even in making homework assignments more interesting. Ideal for K-5th graders, this roll and draw game sheet integrates fine arts into everyday lessons. With a dice, blank paper, pencil, and coloring tools at hand, students can independently explore their drawing skills or cooperatively engage with their peers. The accompanying pattern poster is equally beneficial as it serves as a visual support during gameplay, and doubles up as standalone handout. For more creative ideas and resources, visit Doodle Thinks website. Usage and Versatility: Fosters creativity Enhances focus Supplement to other art curriculum For early finishers, mornings, and brain breaks Enhance focus on subsequent academic tasks Useful for whole group instruction to small group collaborative Useful for independent work Included in this download: A-Z Roll and Draw Game Sheets (13 pages) Black and White Printer-Friendly Version Included 1 Example and Instructions Page 1 Intro Page (For Teacher) Like this resource?Check out more autumn theme roll and draw games: Roll and Draw Autumn Fun - A Bird Design Roll and Draw Autumn Fun - A Wise Owl Roll and Draw Autumn Fun - An Adorable Acorn Roll and Draw Autumn Fun - A Pleasant Pie Roll and Draw A Spring Flower Roll and Draw A Cozy Squirrel Roll and Draw A Candy Corn Bandit Roll and Draw A Flower Box Garden Thank you for downloading Doodle Thinks resources and have fun drawing!
Author Doodle Thinks
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Tags Roll And Draw, Alphabet Game, Language Arts, Art Activity, Creative Learning, Drawing Activity, Art Supplement, Art Enrichment, Typography Art, Art Integration
Back to School Addition Puzzles
Holiday & Seasonal, Back To School, Holidays, Addition and Subtraction, Math, Addition, Kindergarten, Grade 1, Centers, Activities
Are your students learning to add? These back to school addition puzzles are a great practice tool for students to demonstrate their knowledge of basic addition facts. These back to school addition puzzles give students a perfect beginning of the year practice with addition fluency, or provides a great review for students who need a refresher. These addition puzzles provide a fun and engaging way for students to practice addition fact fluency. What is Included: This set puzzle includes 66 individual puzzles for practicing addition facts for sums up to 10. Each puzzle contains 2 pieces where the sum is on one piece and the addition fact on the other piece. When to Use Math Center - Place the puzzles in a math center for students to complete alone or with a partner. Math Fact Review - These puzzles make a great review activity for students to practice math facts. Task Box Activity - The puzzles make a great task box activity. By storing in a task box, the center becomes easy to set up, clean up, and to store. Morning Tub Activity - Place the cards in a morning tub or bin for students to work on as they wait for their classmates to arrive to class. Small Group Activity - The teacher can pull aside a small group of students who need extra practice with addition. In order to complete these puzzles, some students may need the addition of manipulatives. The teacher can provide mini erasers, pom poms, number bond mats, or tens frames mats to help students solve each addition problem. The puzzles allow students to use any method for solving addition facts. The addition puzzles are a low prep option for students to prepare for students. Each puzzle will need to be printed and cut apart. The puzzles can be laminated for durability.
Author The Connett Connection
Tags Addition Facts, Addition Problems, Basic Addition Facts, Back To School, Back To School Addition
Back to School Reading Comprehension bundle
ELA, Reading, Reading Comprehension, Holiday & Seasonal, Holidays, Back To School, First Day of School, Kindergarten, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, Worksheets & Printables, Teacher Tools, Assessments, Lesson Plans, Worksheets, Activities
This Back to School Reading Comprehension Bundle is your new best friend for those first few weeks of school. It’s packed with short, fun stories that early readers can actually read, and relate to. From lost lunchboxes to surprise filled backpacks, these stories cover the real life drama of the school day (well... the kind of drama a 6 year old might face). The best part? These stories do more than just get kids reading, they help them settle in, learn the rules, and see that school can be a pretty great place to be. Whether you're reading them together as a class, using them in small groups, or handing them to early finishers who ask, “What do I do now?”, they just work. Why you’ll love it: The stories are short, sweet, and actually make sense to your students. They cover real topics like nerves, friendship, and classroom rules (without sounding like a lecture). Each one comes with a few easy questions, no extra work for you. No prep needed. Just print, pass out, and teach like the rockstar you are. It’s reading with purpose... and a little fun, too. Enjoy!
Author Ponder Palette Plazza
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Tags Reading, Reading Comprehension, Back To School, Back To School Reading, Back To School Activities, First Fay Of School Activities, Reading Centers
Shapes Cutting Practice - Color Then Cut
Creative Arts, Art, Graphic Arts, Fine Arts, Math, Shapes, Early Math, Holiday & Seasonal, Holidays, Back To School, Kindergarten, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, 3, Worksheets & Printables, Worksheets, Coloring Pages, Activities, Centers, Crafts, Classroom Decor, Bulletin Boards, Door Decor, Posters
Let’s be real, teaching little kids to cut shapes without slicing their paper (or their sleeves) is a whole adventure. That’s where this Shapes Cutting Practice – Color Then Cut activity steps in like a quiet classroom hero. First, kids get to color in all sorts of fun shapes, circles, triangles, stars, hearts, you name it. Because let’s face it, coloring is pretty much every kid’s favorite hobby. Then they get to cut them out, which is the sneaky way we help them practice those fine motor skills without them even noticing. It's like learning disguised as fun. And it works! The best part? This comes with two versions , a black-and-white version so kids can go wild with their crayons, and a pre-colored version for those “I need something ready, like, five minutes ago” days. Ways to Use It: Calm morning work (yes, it’s possible) Shape review that doesn’t feel like a quiz Scissor skill practice without the tears Quiet-time craft station Early finisher task (because there’s always one) Why You’ll Love It: Super easy to prep, just print! Actually helps kids focus (magic!) Encourages independence Keeps little hands busy (and mostly out of trouble) Color, cut, and breathe. You’ve got this. Pdf file includes 14 pages.
Author Ponder Palette Plazza
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Tags Cutting, Cutting Practice, Shapes, Shapes Posters, Fine Motor Skills, Shapes Cutting, Shapes Cutting Practice, Shapes Fine Motor Skills, Posters
No Prep First Day of School Bus Rules & Safety Bingo Back to School
Classroom Management, Resources for Teachers, Back To School, Holidays, Holiday & Seasonal, Preschool, Kindergarten, Grade 1, 2, 3, Games, Activities
Start the school year safely and on the right track with this Bus Rules & Safety Bingo Game — a fun, engaging way to teach and reinforce essential bus safety procedures on the very first day! This no-prep printable activity helps students learn about safe behavior while riding the school bus, making it a perfect companion to your transportation safety lessons or back-to-school classroom routines. What’s Included In This Bus Rules Bingo Game Pack? 40 Unique Bingo Boards Bus safety calling cards 1 Bing Marker Easy-to-follow instructions Why You’ll Love It: Promotes bus safety in a memorable, interactive way Ideal for first day or transportation safety week Encourages group participation and discussion No prep required – just print and play Reinforces expected behavior and rules through play This Game Pack is Great For: Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st–3rd Grade First week of school Transportation units or safety lessons Sub plans or emergency plans Morning meeting games Make learning about bus rules fun and stress-free with this First Day of School Bus Safety Bingo Game!
Author Perfect_Printables
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Tags School Bus Rules Bingo For Kids, Bus Safety Bingo Game Printable, First Day Of School Bus Expectations, Bus Rules Bingo, Transportation Safety Game, Bus Behavior Expectations, Bus Safety Word Bingo, Bus Behavior Game , Morning Meeting Bus Rules Activity
Summer Break Recap | Summer Reflection Writing Activities | Back to sc
Creative Writing, Writing, ELA, Back To School, Holidays, Holiday & Seasonal, Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Writing Prompts, Worksheets & Printables, Projects, Activities
Help students reflect on their summer adventures with this fun and engaging Summer Break Recap Worksheet Pack! This printable resource includes 3 unique summer reflection worksheets designed to encourage writing, creativity, and personal expression as students transition back to school. Each page features a different layout with summer-themed illustrations and writing prompts that help students share their favorite memories, experiences, and discoveries from summer break. Perfect for the first week of school, back-to-school activities, morning work, writing centers, and classroom community building. WHAT'S INCLUDED ✔ 3 Unique Summer Break Recap Worksheets ✔ Summer-Themed Writing Activities ✔ Different Layout Designs ✔ Black & White Printables ✔ Print-and-Go PDF ✔ No Prep Required ✔ Standard US Letter Size (8.5 x 11) WRITING PROMPTS INCLUDED • Where I Went • Things I Learned • Favorite Memories • New Experiences • Friends I Saw • Things I Saw PERFECT FOR • Back to School Activities • First Week of School • Writing Centers • Morning Work • Fast Finishers • Summer Reflection Activities • Classroom Community Building • Homeschool Learning GRADES 1st Grade 2nd Grade 3rd Grade 4th Grade 5th Grade
Author Sadigitalart
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Tags Back To School Activities, First Week Of School, Summer Reflection Activities, Classroom Community Building
Editable Student Awards Certificates for End-of-Year, Back to School
ELA, Back To School, Holidays, Holiday & Seasonal, End Of Year, Graduation, Classroom Management, Resources for Teachers, Community Building, Kindergarten, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Activities
Celebrate your students all year long —whether it’s the first week back or the final countdown to summer—with these Editable Student Award Certificates ! This set of 38 printable awards is designed to make every student feel seen, valued, and proud of their unique strengths. From the “Super Writer” to the “Best Buddy,” you’ll have a ready-to-go certificate for every kind of awesome. The awards feature diverse, multicultural illustrations so all your students feel represented—because let’s face it, we all smile in the same language 😊 What's Included: 38 Editable Awards – PowerPoint File (easy to customize) 38 Printable Awards – PDF File 38 High-Resolution JPGs (300 dpi) Change the titles. Tweak the messages. Add your own flair. You can type directly into the PowerPoint version—fonts are embedded and easy to switch if you have a go-to classroom favorite. 🏆 Award Titles Include: Super Writer Super Speller Perfect Attendance Math Whiz Music Award Best Buddy Shining Star Perfect for: ✔ End-of-Year Celebrations ✔ Back-to-School Icebreakers ✔ Weekly/Monthly Class Awards ✔ Just-Because Moments of Kindness Whether you're setting the tone for Back to School or wrapping up with style for the end of the year, these awards are your go-to for student recognition that’s meaningful, inclusive, and easy to prep.
Author Teach2Tell
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Tags Editable Awards, Editable Student Awards, Assembly Awards, Star Student Awards, Math Awards, Graduation Awards, Student End Of Year Awards, End Of The Year Class Awards, Student Award Certificates, Certificates Of Appreciation
Math & Me Pennant – All About Me Back to School Activity (Grades K–3)
Early Math, Math, Counting, Numbers, Shapes, Back To School, Holidays, Holiday & Seasonal, Kindergarten, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, 3, Activities, Classroom Decor, Banners, Crafts, Projects
Math & Me Pennant – All about Me Back to School Activity (Grades K–3)... Get the school year off to a fun start with this hands-on “Math & Me” pennant activity. Each student makes their own pennant to show a little about themselves—their name, age, birthday, favorite number—and practices some early math skills at the same time. They’ll count letters, make tally marks, & draw shapes like circles, squares, triangles, hearts, and starsss. When finished, the pennants can be hung together to make a bright;) cheerful display that shows off every student and helps the class get to know each other. What’s Included: - Instruction Pages: 2 editable PowerPoint slides with clear prompts, plus 2 PDF pages ready to print and useee;) - Student Pennant Template: B&W PDF (1 page) for students to fill innn;) - Example Pennant: Colored PDF (1 page) to use as a guideee;) Skills Covered;) - Counting letters, consonants, & vowelsss:) - Drawing basic shapesss;) - Using tally marksss;) - Practicing early number senseee;) - Sharing personal information creativelyyy;) Grades: Great for 1st–3rd grade, but can also work for Kindergarten students who are ready to count and make shapes. This activity is quick to prep, hands-on, and lets kids show who they are while practicing math at the same time.
Author 1 Teaches 2 Learn
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Tags Back To School Activity, All About Me, Name Pennant Craft, Early Math Practice, Counting Letters Activity, Shapes And Tally Marks, First Week Of School Project, Classroom Display Craft, Kindergarten Math Activity
Tally Marks Activity - Count Numbers
Holiday & Seasonal, Holidays, Back To School, Seasons, Fall, Math, Early Math, Basic Operations, Counting, Numbers, Kindergarten, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Worksheets & Printables, Worksheets, Activities, Centers, Teacher Tools, Assessments, Lesson Plans
Tally Marks Activity, Count Numbers is a simple and engaging way to help young learners practice counting and representing numbers using tally marks. Each page features books with numbers written on the labels. Students look at the number on each book and write the matching tally marks. It’s a hands-on activity that reinforces number recognition and helps students understand how to group and count using tallies. This resource works great in math centers, small group lessons, or even as a quiet independent task. Kids love the book theme, and it gives them a fun visual as they work. The activity is no prep, just print and go, so it’s easy to use anytime during the school year. How you can use it: Set it up as a math center activity. Use it in small groups for extra support. Add it to morning work or early finisher bins. Send it home for extra practice. Use it during sub plans for a quiet, meaningful task. Why teachers love it: Easy to use, no prep needed. Reinforces early math skills in a fun way. Helps students practice tally marks with a clear visual. Great for independent or group work. Enjoy!
Author Ponder Palette Plazza
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Tags Tally Marks, Math Worksheets, First Grade Math, Math Centers, Counting, Math, Numbers, Back To School, Back To School Math, September Math
Letter Y Puzzles - Letter Y Beginning Sound
ELA, Language Development, Phonics, Spelling, Holiday & Seasonal, Holidays, Back To School, Months, August, September, Kindergarten, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Worksheets & Printables, Activities, Centers, Games, Teacher Tools, Assessments, Lesson Plans
Help your students build early phonics skills with these interactive Letter Yy puzzles! Designed to reinforce the beginning sound of the letter Y, this resource uses a familiar word— yo-yo —paired with a clear, kid-friendly image. Each puzzle includes two pieces: one with the letter Yy and the other with a picture and word. Students match the two pieces to complete the puzzle and make the sound-letter connection. This activity is perfect for preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten classrooms. It's easy to prep, just print, cut, and go! Whether used in literacy centers or small groups, these puzzles add hands-on fun to your alphabet lessons. Ways to Use: Literacy centers and phonics stations Letter of the week activities Morning work or early finisher tasks Take-home practice or homework Benefits for Students and Teachers: Reinforces letter recognition and beginning sounds Builds vocabulary and word-picture associations Supports fine motor development through puzzle play Encourages independent learning and confidence Easy to prep, use, and store Make learning the letter Y meaningful and fun with this simple, effective phonics resource! Enjoy!
Author Ponder Palette Plazza
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Tags Letter Y, Letter Y Puzzles, Letter Puzzles, Back To School, Back To School Activities, Beginning Sound, Phonics, Literacy Centers, Alphabet
L- Blends Activity - Color By Code
Language Development, ELA, ESL, Phonics, Holiday & Seasonal, Holidays, Back To School, Months, August, September, Kindergarten, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, 3, Worksheets & Printables, Worksheets, Coloring Pages, Teacher Tools, Assessments, Lesson Plans, Activities, Centers
This fun and engaging phonics activity is designed to help young learners practice identifying and writing L blends: fl, cl, gl, and pl . Students look at each picture, decide which blend belongs at the beginning of the word, write it in, and then color the picture according to the code. It’s a great way to combine phonics practice with a bit of coloring fun! How to Use: Perfect for literacy centers , independent work , or morning tubs Easy to assign for homework or early finishers Great for small group instruction or intervention time Why Teachers Love It: Reinforces L blends in a hands-on, interactive way Builds phonics and fine motor skills at the same time Keeps students focused and engaged through coloring Super simple to prep, just print and go! This resource is ideal for kindergarten and first grade students learning blends. It's both fun and effective, your students won’t even realize how much they’re learning!
Author Ponder Palette Plazza
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Tags L Bends, L Blend, L-blends, L-blend, Back To School, Back To School Activities, Phonics, Phonics Worksheets, Literacy Centers, September Activities
Letter C Puzzles - Letter C Beginning Sound
ELA, Language Development, ESL, Phonics, Spelling, Holiday & Seasonal, Holidays, Back To School, Months, September, Kindergarten, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Worksheets & Printables, Activities, Centers, Games, Teacher Tools, Assessments, Lesson Plans
Support early literacy skills with this fun and interactive Letter C Puzzles – Beginning Sound activity! Perfect for preschool, pre-K, and kindergarten students, this hands-on resource helps children connect the letter “C” with words and pictures that begin with the same sound, such as “C is for cow.” Each puzzle includes two pieces: one with the uppercase and lowercase letter “C,” and one with a picture and word that starts with C. Students match the letter to the correct image to complete the puzzle. This simple activity makes learning phonics fun and helps young learners develop important pre-reading skills. It’s a great way to build letter recognition, beginning sound awareness, matching skills, and fine motor coordination, all while keeping students engaged and confident. Ways to Use: Literacy centers or phonics stations Morning tubs or independent practice Letter of the week activities Small group instruction or early finishers Advantages: Strengthens letter-sound connections Builds visual recognition and matching skills Encourages hands-on learning Easy to prep and use (just print and cut – PDF format only) A fun and meaningful way to reinforce the letter C!
Author Ponder Palette Plazza
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Tags Letter C, Beginning Sound, Beginning Sounds, Alphabet, Letter Puzzles, Back To School, Back To School Activities, September Activities, Phonics
Letter P Puzzles - Beginning Sound
ELA, Language Development, ESL, Phonics, Holiday & Seasonal, Holidays, Back To School, Months, August, September, Kindergarten, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Worksheets & Printables, Activities, Centers, Games, Teacher Tools, Assessments, Lesson Plans
Help your little learners explore the letter P in a fun, hands-on way with this Letter P Puzzle activity! It’s perfect for preschool, pre-K, and kindergarten students who are learning to connect letters with sounds. Each puzzle comes with two pieces: one shows the uppercase and lowercase letter P, and the other has a matching picture and word, like “pencil.” Kids match the two pieces together while practicing letter recognition and beginning sounds. This activity is easy to prepare, just print, cut, and it’s ready to use. It works great for literacy centers, morning work, small groups, or as an independent task. As children complete each puzzle, they’re not just learning about the letter P, they’re also building early reading skills, boosting their vocabulary, and strengthening fine motor coordination. Use it for: Letter of the week activities Literacy centers Independent practice Small group instruction Why teachers love it: Helps kids recognize and connect letter sounds Simple, playful learning Encourages matching and vocabulary building No prep needed – just print and go (PDF format only) A fun, easy way to make the letter P stick! Enjoy!
Author Ponder Palette Plazza
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Tags Beginning Sound, Beginning Sounds, Letter Puzzles, Letter P, Alphabet, Back To School, Back To School Activities, Phonics, Literacy Centers
Read and Draw - Back to School Activities
ELA, Language Development, ESL, Reading, Holiday & Seasonal, Holidays, Back To School, First Day of School, Phonics, Months, Kindergarten, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Worksheets & Printables, Activities, Centers, Teacher Tools, Assessments, Lesson Plans
Make the first weeks of school fun and meaningful with this Read and Draw, Back to School Activities pack! This resource is designed to help early readers strengthen their reading comprehension, sight word recognition, and sentence structure, all while having fun drawing! Each page includes a simple sentence using basic sight words and CVC word patterns . After reading the sentence, students are asked to illustrate what they read. It’s a great way to connect reading and creativity, especially for young learners in kindergarten and first grade. Ways to Use: Use as a morning work or early finisher activity. Add to your literacy centers or small group rotations. Great for independent work or homework during the first weeks of school. Use to assess basic reading and comprehension skills. Advantages: Reinforces phonics, sight word fluency, and sentence comprehension . Encourages students to read closely and visualize what they read. Builds confidence in early readers through success with simple texts. Low prep and print and go friendly! Adds creativity and fun to your back to school routine. This activity is both educational and enjoyable, perfect for easing students into the school year while practicing key literacy skills. Pdf file includes 10 pages. Enjoy!
Author Ponder Palette Plazza
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Tags Reading, Read And Draw, Drawing, Back To School, Back To School Activities, Cvc, Cvc Words, Sight Words, Phonics
CVC Words Worksheets - Cut and Glue - Pack 2
ELA, Language Development, ESL, Phonics, Spelling, Holiday & Seasonal, Holidays, Seasons, Back To School, Kindergarten, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, 3, Worksheets & Printables, Activities, Centers, Teacher Tools, Assessments, Lesson Plans
Let’s be honest, teaching CVC words can sometimes feel like trying to herd cats, adorable, distracted cats who’d rather talk about dinosaurs. That’s where these CVC Words Worksheets – Cut and Glue Edition come in. They’re fun, hands-on, and sneak in serious phonics practice while your students are busy cutting and gluing like it’s their job. In this activity, students complete each CVC word by choosing the correct missing vowel, cutting it out, and gluing it into place. It’s like a literacy puzzle party, and yes, they’re invited. Ways to Use: Phonics Centers: Because kids love anything that involves scissors and glue. Independent Practice: Keeps them focused (and quiet!) while building real skills. Homework (if you’re brave): Parents will thank you. Or at least not complain. Morning Work: Calm, quiet, and educational. That’s the dream, right? Early Finishers: Give them something purposeful to do that isn’t spinning in their chair. Why You’ll Love It: Hands-on learning that feels like play. Builds CVC word confidence, one vowel at a time. No prep required, print and go! Improves fine motor skills without chaos (mostly). Keeps little hands busy and little minds learning. Cut, glue, learn, and breathe, phonics just got a lot more fun. Pdf file includes 9 pages.
Author Ponder Palette Plazza
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Tags Cvc, Cvc Words, Vowels, Cut And Glue, Esl, Phonics, Vocabulary, Back To School, Cvc Worksheets, Cvc Activities
New Friends at School - Reading Comprehension
ELA, Reading, Reading Comprehension, Holiday & Seasonal, Holidays, Back To School, First Day of School, Months, August, Kindergarten, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, Worksheets & Printables, Worksheets, Activities, Teacher Tools, Assessments, Lesson Plans
New Friends at School is a warm and relatable reading passage that helps young students feel more comfortable about starting school and meeting new classmates. The story follows a student who feels a little nervous on the first day but soon learns that making friends can be simple, and fun. With short sentences and easy-to-understand words, it’s a great choice for early readers in kindergarten through second grade. How You Can Use It: Read it during the first week of school to start a conversation about friendship. Use it in small groups to support reading practice and social skills. Assign it as independent work or a take-home activity. Include it in your literacy centers or for early finishers. Pair it with a lesson on kindness, emotions, or class rules. Why It’s Helpful: Helps students connect with real feelings and situations. Encourages kindness, sharing, and making new friends. Includes five easy comprehension questions to check understanding. Uses age-appropriate language for young readers. No prep needed, just print and go. Supports both reading growth and social-emotional learning. New Friends at School is a thoughtful and easy way to help your students feel welcome, supported, and ready to learn.
Author Ponder Palette Plazza
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Tags Reading, Reading Comprehension, Back To School, Back To School Activities, Back To School Reading, August Reading, September Reading, First Day Of School Activities
Letter J Puzzles - Beginning Sound
ELA, Language Development, ESL, Phonics, Holiday & Seasonal, Holidays, Back To School, Months, September, August, Kindergarten, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Worksheets & Printables, Activities, Centers, Games, Teacher Tools, Assessments, Lesson Plans
Bring the letter J to life with this fun and hands-on Letter J Puzzle activity! Designed for preschool, pre-K, and kindergarten students, this resource helps young learners connect the letter “J” with its beginning sound using simple matching. Each puzzle includes two pieces: one with the uppercase and lowercase letter “J,” and the other with a picture and word that starts with J, like “J is for jellyfish.” Kids match the two pieces, helping them build early phonics skills in a fun and interactive way. This activity is easy to prep and perfect for centers, morning work, small groups, or early finishers. It supports foundational literacy skills while also giving children practice with visual recognition and fine motor development. Ways to Use: Letter of the week activity Literacy and phonics centers Independent or partner work Small group instruction Advantages: Reinforces letter and sound recognition Encourages hands-on, playful learning Strengthens matching and fine motor skills Builds confidence with early reading Just print, cut, and use (PDF format only) A fun and simple way to help your learners explore the sound of the letter J! Enjoy!
Author Ponder Palette Plazza
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Tags Beginning Sound, Beginning Sounds, Letters, Alphabet, Letter Puzzles, Letter J, Back To School, Back To School Activities, Phonics, Literacy Centers
Number Order Puzzles 1 to 10 - Back to School
Holiday & Seasonal, Holidays, Back To School, First Day of School, Math, Early Math, Numbers, Kindergarten, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Worksheets & Printables, Worksheets, Activities, Centers, Teacher Tools, Assessments, Lesson Plans, Games
Help your students get excited about numbers with this fun Number Order Puzzle set for numbers 1 to 10! Designed especially for preschool, pre-K, and kindergarten, these puzzles make early math practice feel like play. Each puzzle features a cute back-to-school picture, like a bus or a pencil, that’s cut into 10 strips. Each strip is labeled with a number from 1 to 10. Kids cut them apart, then put the numbers in order to rebuild the full picture. It’s a simple, hands-on activity that helps young learners get comfortable with number order while also working on fine motor skills. Ways to Use: Morning work or center time Early finisher task Partner or small group activity Send home for fun extra practice Why Teachers Love It: Helps kids practice number sequencing Builds confidence with counting 1–10 Great for scissors and hand-eye coordination Fun, engaging, and easy to prep (just print and go!) Perfect for the beginning of the school year This is a great way to combine math, puzzles, and back-to-school excitement in one easy activity! Pdf file includes 8 pages. Enjoy!
Author Ponder Palette Plazza
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Tags Puzzles, Numbers, Number Puzzles, Back To School, Back To School Activities, Fine Motor Skills, Cutting Practice, September Activities, Agust Activities
My Dream Thanksgiving Feast Writing Prompt - Thanksgiving Activity
Common Core, Creative Arts, Art, Fine Arts, Graphic Arts, ELA, Language Development, ESL, Vocabulary, Writing, Creative Writing, Holiday & Seasonal, Holidays, Months, Seasons, 100's Day, April Fools, Back To School, Birthdays, Black History Month, Christmas, Chinese New Year, Easter, End Of Year, First Day of School, Halloween, Hanukkah, Last Day of School, Indigenous Peoples Day, President's Day, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, April, August, December, February, January, November, October, September, Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter, Infant, Toddler, Kindergarten, Grade 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Activities, Centers, Worksheets & Printables, Worksheets, Coloring Pages, Writing Prompts
Let your students' imaginations run wild (and their stomachs rumble) with the My Dream Thanksgiving Feast Writing Prompt! This fun and creative activity combines writing and drawing to bring their ultimate holiday feast to life, no actual cooking required, which is a relief for everyone involved. The writing portion invites kids to dream big. Will their Thanksgiving table include a mountain of mashed potatoes, a turkey the size of a small car, and an endless chocolate fountain? Or maybe pizza, donuts, and a side of fries? (No judgment here, dream big or go home!) As they describe their dream meal, they’ll also sneak in a little vocabulary and descriptive writing practice. Once the feast is planned on paper, it’s time to bring it to life with their artistic skills. Crayons, markers, or even glitter (if you're feeling brave) can turn their dream meal into a colorful masterpiece. Expect turkeys with sunglasses, pies with sprinkles, and enough gravy to fill a swimming pool. Perfect for classrooms, homeschooling, or post-pie downtime, this activity guarantees giggles, creativity, and maybe some outrageous menu ideas you’ll secretly want to try. It’s the most fun you can have with a pen and a plate! Enjoy!
Author Ponder Palette Plazza
Tags Thanksgiving Writing, Thanksgiving Craft, Thanksgiving Writing Prompts, Fall Craft, Winter Craft, Fall Math, Writing Prompts, Turkey Craft, Thanksgiving Drawing
Short A CVC Words – Phonics Word List Posters
ELA, Language Development, ESL, Phonics, Spelling, Holiday & Seasonal, Holidays, Back To School, First Day of School, Reading, Kindergarten, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, 3, Activities, Centers, Teacher Tools, Assessments, Lesson Plans, Anchor Charts, Classroom Decor, Posters, Bulletin Boards, Word Walls
The CVC Short A Word List Posters are a helpful and easy-to-use tool for teaching young readers how to read and spell short vowel words. These posters feature simple CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words with the short “a” sound, like cat , hat , jam , and man . Each poster presents the words in a clear, easy-to-read format, making them perfect for young learners who are just beginning to sound out and recognize words. These posters work well in any early childhood classroom and can be used in a variety of ways to support daily reading and writing activities. They’re especially useful for Kindergarten, 1st Grade, and English language learners. Ways to Use: Hang on your classroom wall or phonics board Use during small group lessons or phonics instruction Keep at writing stations for word support Refer to them during reading practice or spelling time Send copies home to help students practice with families Advantages: Reinforces short A vowel sound through repetition and exposure Builds confidence in early readers and writers Encourages independence during reading and writing tasks Easy to print, display, and reuse A simple way to support phonics instruction all year long A must-have for every early literacy classroom! Pdf file includes 2 pages. Enjoy!
Author Ponder Palette Plazza
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Tags Cvc, Cvc Short A, Vowels, Back To School, Baack To School Activities, Posters, Cvc Short A Poster, Literacy, Literacy Posters, Back To School Literacy
Meet My Teacher - Reading Comprehension
ELA, Reading, Reading Comprehension, Language Development, Holiday & Seasonal, Holidays, Back To School, First Day of School, Months, August, Kindergarten, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, Worksheets & Printables, Teacher Tools, Assessments, Lesson Plans, Activities
Meet My Teacher is a warm and friendly reading passage that helps young students get excited about the new school year. Told from a student’s point of view, the story introduces a kind teacher and what to expect in the classroom. With short sentences and simple words, it’s just right for early readers in kindergarten through second grade. How You Can Use It: Read it together as a class during the first week of school. Use it in small reading groups to build confidence. Send it home as a light homework assignment. Add it to your literacy centers or use with early finishers. Use it as a gentle way to check students’ reading understanding. Why It’s Helpful: Helps students feel more comfortable about meeting a new teacher. Comes with five easy comprehension questions to spark conversation. Supports vocabulary and fluency using familiar school related language. Simple and ready to use, just print and go! Fits nicely into your back to school plans. This reading passage is a great way to start the year with a smile and support young readers as they settle into their new classroom. Enjoy!
Author Ponder Palette Plazza
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Tags Reading, Reading Comprehension, Back To School, Back To School Reading, Back To School Activities, First Day Of School Activities, First Day Of School
The Backpack Surprise - Reading Comprehension
ELA, Language Development, Reading, Reading Comprehension, Holiday & Seasonal, Holidays, Back To School, First Day of School, Months, August, Kindergarten, Preschool, Grade 1, 2, Worksheets & Printables, Teacher Tools, Assessments, Lesson Plans, Activities
The Backpack Surprise is a fun and easy to read story that young students will enjoy. It tells the tale of a child who finds something unexpected in their backpack on the first day of school. The short passage is written with simple words and clear sentences, making it just right for beginning readers. How You Can Use It: Read it together as a class to build fluency and talk about the story. Use it in small groups to support students who need extra practice. Assign it as independent work or send it home for extra reading. Use it as a quick check to see how well students understand what they read. Kick off a back to school activity with a fun and friendly reading task. Why Teachers Love It: It keeps students interested with a story they can relate to. The five questions after the passage help students think about what they read. It’s great for building vocabulary and sparking conversations. The short length fits easily into busy schedules. It works well in reading centers or for substitute teachers. This resource is a great way to help students enjoy reading while practicing important skills. Enjoy!
Author Ponder Palette Plazza
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Tags Reading, Reading Comprehension, Back To School, Back To School Reading, Back To School Activities, First Day Of School Activities, Back To School Writing