Saturday, August 31, 2019

5 Fun Back To School Activities, Icebreakers, and Community Building Games


If you are a teacher prepping for the first few weeks of school and are looking for fun back-to-school games for your students to learn more about each other and how to work together, I've got you covered!

The best part is that you can use many of these same games and strategies throughout the year for learning and practicing content, so it helps to introduce them in an easy and non-threatening way!


1. Getting to Know You Heads Together

Place students into small groups of 4-5.  Have students take turns answering questions about themselves.  Use a timer to give them 30 - 45 seconds to respond.  Then have each of the groups share out their answers.  You may ask them to pick one or share the one that was most common in their group.

Getting To Know You Heads Together Back to School Games

Getting to Know You Heads Together Back to School



After the first round (which should only have one question to enable them to get started comfortably), help them learn how to keep track of time and to listen to what their classmates have said.  Repeat other rounds over the next few days, or have students share the same things with different peers.  Here are some sample questions:
  • What is a movie or a book you have seen or read lately that you really liked? Why?
  • What two words describe you? Why?
  • If you became the principal, what is one thing you would change about this school if you could?
  • If you could have any superpower, what would you choose?



2. Stand Up If It Is True For You

Many times students are embarrassed to participate in classroom activities because they think that no one else thinks like they do.  This is a fun way to help them see how much they have in common with their classmates.

Read one question at a time, and have the students stand up if the statement or question is true for them.  You can enhance this activity by having students meet with the people who stood up for a certain question or statement to share their answers in more detail.  Here are some sample questions:

Stand up if you:

• Were born inside/outside the United States.
• Were born in this state.
• Have a sibling.
• Play a sport.
• Have ridden a horse.
• Have ever broken a bone or needed stitches?
 Have a blue toothbrush.



3. Find Someone In The Class Who

Give students a list of descriptions (for example: who went to visit a relative during summer vacation or who has no brothers or sisters) and have students try to find a student who fits that description.



Students will walk around the room trying to find a student who fits that description.  When they find one, that student should write their name on the paper. The student will then move on to another student with the hope that that person will meet one of the other characteristics on their list.  The goal is to meet and talk to as many people as possible within the time limit to put one name by each of the characteristics.  I usually give students about 10 minutes to complete this activity.

Find Someone Who Back to School Activity


Find Someone Who Back to School Completed Worksheet







4. Two Truths and a Lie

Ask students to write down three statements about themselves, two that are truthful and one that is a lie.  The rest of the class takes turns trying to decide which one is a lie.  You could also do this as a small group activity.






5. Who's In My Circles?

This is an activity that allows students to know their classmates better by having each one add their names to others' topic "circles" of loves, likes, and dislikes.




Have students draw three circles like the picture above.  They can add the one thing that they love, that they like and that they dislike.  Topics can include things like food, hobbies, sports, or books or movies they have read or seen.

The other students walk around adding their names to the circle's section that they agree with.

I use pre-made circles placed in sheet protectors because I use this activity throughout the year.

You can find all of these games and a few more in my Back to School Collaboration Activities here.




 I would love to hear from you! ❤️

Have a question? An idea for a resource you might find helpful?




Be so kind as to leave a comment below.




Monday, August 26, 2019

Weekly $25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway August 26, 2019

Teacher Giveaway!


This Giveaway is Over!  Please visit our Giveaway page to enter our current giveaway.

Teacher Giveaway - Weekly $25 Teachers pay Teachers gift card giveaway


$25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway


Every week one lucky teacher gets to go on a Teachers pay Teachers shopping spree!  Will it be you this week?


GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

Prize: $25 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card 


Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 9/2/19 and is open worldwide.  


Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers! 




Monday, August 19, 2019

Weekly $25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway August 19, 2019

Teacher Giveaway!

This Giveaway is Over!  Please visit our Giveaway page to enter our current giveaway.

Teacher Giveaway - Weekly $25 Teachers pay Teachers gift card giveaway


$25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway


Every week one lucky teacher gets to go on a Teachers pay Teachers shopping spree!  Will it be you this week?


GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

Prize: $25 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card 


Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 8/26/19 and is open worldwide.  


Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers! 




Monday, August 12, 2019

Weekly $25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway August 12, 2019

Teacher Giveaway!


This Giveaway is Over!  Please visit our Giveaway page to enter our current giveaway.

Teacher Giveaway - Weekly $25 Teachers pay Teachers gift card giveaway


$25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway


Every week one lucky teacher gets to go on a Teachers pay Teachers shopping spree!  Will it be you this week?


GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

Prize: $25 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card 


Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 8/19/19 and is open worldwide.  


Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers! 





Back to School Giveaway 2019


Teacher Giveaway!

$200 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

This Giveaway is Over!  Please visit our Giveaway page to enter our current giveaway.




What teacher couldn't use a little help with Back to School shopping?  This $200 Amazon gift card will help you start the year off right!  One lucky teacher will win a $200 Amazon Gift Card.



GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

Prize: $200 Amazon Gift Card 

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)



Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 8/19/19 and is open worldwide.

Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers! 






Sunday, August 11, 2019

$250 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway

Teacher Giveaway!

This Giveaway is Over!  Please visit our Giveaway page to enter our current giveaway.



$250 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway



Could you use some BACK TO SCHOOL classroom money?

We've got you covered! I've teamed up with some amazing teacher authors and we are giving away TWO - $250 gift cards to Teachers Pay Teachers!! Just think of all the new and innovative resources that you could buy for your classroom!



It is SUPER easy to enter, just fill out the Rafflecopter below!

Remember, the more entries you complete, the higher your chance is of winning!



GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

Prize: $250 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card 


Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 8/15/19.  You must follow the entry steps in the Rafflecopter link to be eligible to win the prize. Winners must be able to verify educator status and respond with 48 hours.







Thursday, August 8, 2019

BONUS Monthly $100 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway - August 2019

$100 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway

This Giveaway is Over!  Please visit our Giveaway page to enter our current giveaway.

Every month we spoil one lucky teacher gets to go on a Teachers pay Teachers shopping spree!  This month we are doubling up with the spoiling to help you get ready for Back to School!


Teachers Giveaway - $100 Teachers pay Teachers gift card giveaway An Apple for the Teacher



GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  



Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card



Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)




Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 8/15/19 and is open worldwide.


Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers! 



Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Monthly $100 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway - August 2019

$100 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway

This Giveaway is Over!  Please visit our Giveaway page to enter our current giveaway.

Every month we spoil one lucky teacher gets to go on a Teachers pay Teachers shopping spree!  Will it be you this month?


Teachers Giveaway - $100 Teachers pay Teachers gift card giveaway An Apple for the Teacher



GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  



Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card



Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)



Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 8/13/19 and is open worldwide.


Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers! 




Monday, August 5, 2019

Weekly $25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway August 5, 2019

Teacher Giveaway!

This Giveaway is Over!  Please visit our Giveaway page to enter our current giveaway.

Teacher Giveaway - Weekly $25 Teachers pay Teachers gift card giveaway


$25 Teachers pay Teachers Gift Card Giveaway


Every week one lucky teacher gets to go on a Teachers pay Teachers shopping spree!  Will it be you this week?


GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

Prize: $25 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card 


Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 8/12/19 and is open worldwide.  


Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers!