Need some ideas for first days of school activities for 3rd grade

It's a CTT class. Any books, games, activities, lessons are appreciated.

Re: Need some ideas for first days of school activities for 3rd grade

This is a nice one. Starts off writing for the year and ties nicely into mapping as well.http://www.playfulearning.com/Playful_Learning/Blog/Entries/2009/1/13_Map_of_My_Heart.html



ETA... I have had them make the heart in their journals so that they can refer to it for writing ideas. I like what the writer of this the link above did too.

Message edited 8/7/2011 10:06:09 AM.

Re: Need some ideas for first days of school activities for 3rd grade

I always read Enemy pie...it's a great way to discuss making friends..rules...classroom community...etc. After you read it discuss creating a recipe for friendship pie..make one together as a class and let them do their own back at their seats in groups or pairs. They love it!

Re: Need some ideas for first days of school activities for 3rd grade

I read "First Day Jitters" to the class on the first day, then they write what their "jitter" was. One year I video taped it. It was so cute to watch on the last day of school. Then on the last day I read "Last Day Blues" and video them responding to their "blue."

I also read "The Kingdom With No Rules" on the second day of school to introduce classroom rules. After reading, we discuss the story and create our own rules.The Kingdom With No Rules

Re: Need some ideas for first days of school activities for 3rd grade

For math, I usually always do a bar graph. I give them post-its and then we analyze the graph together. I have used in the past,
Your favorite subject
Birthday
HOw do you get to school

Another activity is I cut out pieces that when put together create a puzzle. On the puzzle pieces you have them draw pictures that tell about themselves (favorite color, hobby, their name, ect)

I have them create four things about themselve and one is a lie. The rest of the class is supose to guess the lie. I always do myself first.

Last year, for science, I introduced the Scientific method by having them come up with a hypothesis if they think they could get toothpaste back into the tube once it was out with a toothpick. It was impossible and at the end we discussed how Words are like the toothpaste, once it goes out you can't get it back in.

I have also read the first day jitters to the class. I have a book of poems that has a class rules poem. This usually lead into why are rule important.

Our writing piece one year for that month was Wanted: Have you Seem these Respectful students. It was a wanted sign with their picture and what make them respectful.

Re: Need some ideas for first days of school activities for 3rd grade

some things i have done:
-scavenger hunt - they get a list of info to find out about each other and walk around and write the name of a student that qualifies (like...has an older brother, loves the Mets, went to another country over the summer, likes Justin Beiber, etc, etc.)
- self portrait (with plans to do another and compare at end of year)
- letter to self saying what they want to accomplish during 3rd grade (goals), i seal in envelope and save to give them last week of school to read and see if they reached their goals
-read Lily's Purple Plastic Purse and talk about why rules are important
-tour of the school
-and tons of time practicing routines & labeling stuff

Re: Need some ideas for first days of school activities for 3rd grade

Re: Need some ideas for first days of school activities for 3rd grade