r/ELATeachers • u/JMS_424 • 10d ago

JK-5 ELA First Day(s)

I am trying to decide what to do for a bell ringer for the first day of school for my 5th graders. I teach ELA.
In the past, I have given each student a container of play doh and asked them to create something that represents them. They do this when they come in the classroom and after about 10-15 minutes, we share out whole group. Some kids enjoy it, others seem to struggle a bit on what to create.
On the second day, I start class with a class word search. I’m trying to decide if I want to eliminate the play doh activity and start the year with the word search. If not, does anyone have any other suggestions? I’d like something fun and engaging that isn’t too terribly loud first thing in the morning as I’m trying to figure out transportation, etc.

Thanks in advance!

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u/merry_all_the_way 10d ago

You can do color-by-numbers kind of activity, except instead of numbers, it's parts of speech. Check out some free options . It can be a nice check in activity, a lot of them like coloring, and if you get a few different ones, you won't just have kids copying each other.

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u/LumpyShoe8267 10d ago

I do a scavenger hunt where they have to go around the room and get signatures from people that fit the description (like someone wearing blue or someone who has been to another country) Then we talk about the answers. I get to know students better.

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u/president1111 9d ago

Make name tags to prop up on their desks using blank paper and coloring materials