Back to School: 8 Stations for First Days for Secondary

As we usher in another Back to School season, it's time to build relationships, lay down the ground rules, establish a daily routine, and foster a positive classroom environment! Utilizing STATIONS, you can accomplish all these effectively in roughly two class periods.

This adaptable 8-Station resource empowers you to modify, augment, or exclude any content that doesn't align with your class needs! It is recommended to allocate about 10 minutes for students to wrap up each station. The stations can be tackled in any order. Any station that doesn't apply to your class can be removed without impacting the overall activity. Detailed instructions for EACH station are provided!

Included Stations (Designed for students in grades 7-12):

1- Introduction: An ice-breaker that encourages students to find ten shared interests within a set of guidelines, fostering classroom camaraderie.

2- Team Building: A fun and challenging task where groups of 3-4 are tasked with constructing the tallest tower within a given timeframe while adhering to set rules!

3- Cell phone Policy: In this activity, students watch a short video about the consequences of inappropriate cell phone use, especially social media, in the classroom. This will relate to your own cell phone policy. A customizable Cell Phone Policy handout is included.

4- Google Classroom/Class Syllabus: This activity allows students to explore your Google Classroom and class syllabus. A Class Syllabus template, editable to your needs, is included. If Google Classroom isn't applicable, simply remove this section!

5- Class Procedures: Students get to know your class procedures, rules, and expectations by viewing a slide presentation. An editable Google Slides template is included for you to personalize.

6- Study the Teacher: This activity allows students to learn about the teacher by scrutinizing six of your preferred things (or photographs).

7-Illustrated Name: This task lets students create a personalized illustrated nameplate, reflecting their interests, which can be used to adorn their class folder, desk, or class bulletin board.

8- Why Study History: This optional activity requires students to examine three quotes about the significance of studying history (or your respective subject) and share their views (in a Graffiti style on large butcher paper). If you don't teach history, simply delete or adjust the quotes.

***At each station, students respond to a concise question or set of questions in their group and engage in INDIVIDUAL REFLECTION. All handouts, station table tents, and station instructions are provided.

For the stations, you'll need to provide: paper, large butcher paper or poster, tape, scissors, color tools, markers, computer access (for two stations). Teachers also need to bring six of their favorite items from home (photos are acceptable) for students to observe.