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(Unit 5) Topic 3: Back-to-School Transition Tools for the Early Childhood Teacher

2 Clock Hours of Early Childhood Education

10 Fantastic First Week of School Activities

Circle Time

​Topic 3 Page 10

Click here to take notes.

During your first official circle time, introduce the children by having them sing:
Look Who Came to School Today
(tune: Mary Had A Little Lamb)
Look who came to school today
School today, school today
Look who came to school today,
_____(child's name) did.

Switch Sides ​

Use painter’s tape to divide a large space into two sections. Have all of your students stand on one side of the tape to start with. Read out a statement that begins with “switch sides if”. The statement can be anything from having a brother to having a pet. Instruct the student to cross the tape if the statement applies to them. Have all students return to the same side they began on before reading the next statement. The point is for children to see that they have different things in common with class members that they might not expect.​

“Me Bag”

​Pass out plain paper bags and instruct students to fill it with 10 things that represent who they are when they go home for the evening. Have them bring it back and share their “Me Bag” with the class. 

All About Me Collage ​

​Set out a variety of magazines, scissors, paper, and glue. Instruct students to cut out and glue items onto the paper that represents who they are. Ask them to share their work with their classmates. 

Toilet Paper Game ​

​After you greet the student, ask them to take some toilet paper that you have on hand. Do not give them any hints as to how much to take. After everyone arrives, inform them that for every piece of paper they took stands for one fact about themselves that they need to share with their classmates. 

Our Class Tree ​

​Stamp each child’s thumb or finger print on a piece of paper. Write the child’s name under their stamp. Connect the stamps by drawing branches and a tree. Laminate the final product and display for parents to see. This project promotes classroom unity. 

Feelings Chart ​

​During circle time, discuss different feelings and what they mean. Call on each student to tell how they feel during the first day of school. Chart their answer. Students will be able to see that all different types of feelings are normal, from nervous to excited. 

Family Board ​

​Invite students to bring a picture of all of their family members in and share it with the class. Display the pictures on a bulletin board in your classroom. 

Cup Challenge ​

​Divide the children into teams of 3 or 4. Provide them with cups and instruct them to build the tallest structure possible. This is a great collaborative STEM activity. 

Guess Who ​

​Write out unique facts about the child onto cards (parent surveys come in handy here). Read the cards aloud and ask students to guess who you are describing. 

Adapting for Infants and Toddlers

Consider your options for adapting back to school activities for infants and toddlers. Toddler adaptations for the above suggestions are much simpler as toddlers can participate in many activities with adult assistance and supervision. Infants, however, should be involved in social exchanges and play opportunities with their new classmates and teachers alike. Read a book to a few infants at a time, sing songs together, or roll a ball back and forth between friends. 

(Unit 5) Topic 3: Back-to-School Transition Tools * Navigation Menu