🏫 Two Free First Day of School Activities That Actually Work with Middle Schoolers

The first day of school doesn’t have to be awkward, boring, or full of endless icebreakers your students have done a dozen times before.

If you’re like most middle school teachers, you want something quick, low-prep, and meaningful—something that sets the tone for your classroom without overwhelming you or your students.

That’s why I’m sharing two of my favorite first-day activities that I use every year—and you can grab them both for free!

📱 Activity #1: Social Media Hashtags — Get to Know Your Students in Their Language

Middle schoolers love to talk about themselves, but sometimes they need a structure to help them express who they are. This activity invites students to create three hashtags that represent their personality, interests, or identity—just like they would on social media.

Whether it’s #GamerGirl, #FutureVet, or #AlwaysHungry, students can be as playful or thoughtful as they like.

✅ Why it works:

• It’s quick and fun
• Students can share without being put on the spot
• You’ll get a feel for your class’s tone, humor, and interests

👉 Grab the free Hashtag Activity here »

❤️ Activity #2: What Matters to Me — A Window Into Student Priorities

This reflective worksheet helps students communicate what’s important to them—family, friends, hobbies, goals, or even fears—without writing a full essay.

It gives you valuable insight into your students’ worldviews while creating a classroom culture rooted in empathy and connection.

✅ Why it works:

• Encourages self-reflection and meaningful conversation
• Helps build relationships from day one
• Provides writing or discussion prompts for later in the week

👉 Download the What Matters to Me Activity for Free »

✨ Use Them Together or Separately

You can assign one on paper and one digitally. Use them as morning work, early-finisher activities, or pair-share discussions. They work great in homeroom, ELA, advisory, or science (that’s where I use them!).

Either way, they help create a space where students feel seen, valued, and safe—and that’s what the first day should really be about.

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Want More First Week Ideas?

I’ve got plenty of other easy ways to make the first week of school smooth, fun, and low-stress—especially for science teachers. Stay tuned, or join my email list to get fresh ideas and resources in your inbox every week (all $5 or less!).