6 First Week of School Activities That Make Back-to-School Easier

The first week of school is exciting... and a little exhausting.

I like to have a mix of activities ready that help students connect, learn the classroom routines, and ease back into school without creating a ton of extra prep for me.

Here are six of my favorites:

 

🎮 Back-to-School Digital Math Escape Rooms

Skip the traditional review packet and let students escape instead! These no-prep digital escape rooms review important (previous year) math skills while students solve puzzles and crack secret codes.

There are versions for grades 3–6, making them a fun way to see what students remember from the previous year without making the first week feel like a test.

 

✏️ Morning Writing Prompts

Starting a morning routine right away makes such a difference. These 60+ writing prompt slides give you something you can simply display as students arrive.

They’re great for morning work, journals, bell ringers, or those random five-minute pockets you inevitably need to fill.

 

🌟 Back-to-School Glow Day

Want to make the first week feel extra special? Have a Glow Day!

Students rotate through activities like This or That, Tic Tac Glow, Ring Toss, and self-portraits while getting to know their classmates. It’s a fun way to build classroom community without another awkward “tell us something interesting about yourself” icebreaker. Want to do this activity without the glow? You’ll find that HERE.

 

🏀 Trashketball Routine Review

Classroom procedures need lots (and lots!) of repetition—but reviewing them doesn’t have to be boring.

Turn your classroom rules and routines into questions and let students compete in Trashketball. All you really need is some paper and a trash can, and suddenly procedure review feels like a game.

 

📰 Classroom Job Applications

Instead of simply assigning classroom jobs, let students apply for them!

Students read funny “Help Wanted” listings and fill out applications for the classroom jobs they want. It’s a simple way to introduce responsibility while sneaking in a little reading and writing.

 

❤️ The Best Part of Me

For something a little more meaningful, The Best Part of Me writing activity gives students an opportunity to reflect on something they love about themselves.

It makes a wonderful first-week writing activity and an even better bulletin board display to start the year.

Start Simple

You don’t need every minute of the first week perfectly planned. A few engaging activities that help you build routines, learn about your students, and create a positive classroom community can go a long way.

And if they’re low prep? Even better. 🍎

Happy teaching!

 

Back-to-School Classroom Setup That Works from Day One ✨

Back-to-school season is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming. When I'm setting up my classroom, I try to focus on decor that's not only cute but actually useful for students.

Here are a few of my favorite back-to-school essentials:

 

🧮 Printable Place Value Charts

A math wall students will actually use! These black-and-white place value posters are designed to be printed on bright colored paper, so you get a colorful display without using tons of color ink.

 

📣 Call & Response Cards

The first few weeks are all about routines. With 70+ fun call-and-response ideas, it's easy to grab students' attention, smooth transitions, and build classroom community from day one.

 

⭐ Editable Classroom Rules

Create classroom expectations that match your teaching style. These editable rule posters let you personalize your displays with your own wording and Bitmoji for a welcoming, cohesive classroom.

 

🚪 Morning Greeting Math

Turn your doorway into a quick math review! Students practice multiplication and division facts as they walk into the room, making every morning routine both fun and purposeful.

(Find my ELA version of these posters —> CLICK HERE!)

The best classroom decor isn't just something students look at—it's something they use every single day. These simple, low-prep resources help create a classroom that's ready for learning from the very first bell. 🍎

Happy teaching!

 

90+ Ocean Books for Ocean Week 🌊📚

 

Ocean Week is one of my favorite times of the year because it’s the perfect excuse to dive into some incredible picture books. Whether your child loves sharks, whales, sea turtles, coral reefs, or life deep beneath the waves, there are so many wonderful stories and nonfiction books that inspire curiosity about our oceans.

 

I've put together a collection of 90+ ocean-themed picture books for preschool, kindergarten, and elementary-aged children. It's a mix of beautiful read-alouds, engaging nonfiction, and books that spark meaningful conversations about ocean life and conservation.

 

A trip to your local library is a great place to start, or you can find links to all of my recommendations in one convenient list HERE.

 

🐠 Looking for activities to go along with your reading? Each book recommendation is paired with a hands-on ocean-themed activity inside my 30 Ocean Activities for June resource. From shark games and aquarium building to seashell math, treasure hunts, sensory play, and ocean art projects, you'll find plenty of ways to extend learning beyond the book and bring Ocean Week to life. 🌊🐚🦈

 
 

Easy Summer Fun for Kids (Without Hearing “I’m Bored” Every 10 Minutes) 🌊☀️

 

If you’re home with little kids this summer, you know how quickly the days can start to feel very long. I always try to have a few simple, hands-on activities ready to go—especially ones that keep kids busy, learning, and off screens for a little while.

That’s why I love this collection of 30 ocean-themed activities for preschool, Pre-K, and kindergarten.

 

Everything is designed to feel like summer fun while still building important early learning skills. Kids get to do activities like:

  • Feeding sharks

  • Building aquariums

  • Treasure hunts

  • Seashell math games

  • Ocean crafts and sensory bins

  • Movement games and art projects

 

The best part is that the activities are low prep and easy to set up. Each one comes with simple directions, making it manageable even on busy summer days.

Whether you’re looking for rainy day ideas, summer learning activities, or just something fun to break up the day, these ocean-themed activities are an easy way to keep little learners engaged all June long. 🌊🐚🐠

 
 

A Fun Way to Survive End-of-Year Math Review ☀️

 

By the end of the school year, getting students excited about math review can be a challenge. At this point, everyone is thinking about summer break, and pulling out another worksheet packet usually isn’t the answer.

One thing that always helps in my classroom is turning review into a game.

 

This digital math escape room has students solving problems, cracking secret codes, and trying to escape the last day of school before ending up with summer school, a giant summer packet, or a trip to the principal’s office. The storyline alone gets them hooked right away.

Students review skills like:

  • Addition & subtraction

  • Multiplication & division

  • Fractions

 

And because it’s completely digital, it’s really easy to use during those busy last weeks of school. I like using it for:

  • End-of-year review

  • Math centers

  • Early finishers

  • Small groups

 

The best part is that students genuinely feel like they’re playing a game while still practicing important math skills.

There are versions available for grades 3–6, making it easy to match the activity to your students’ needs during those final weeks of school. ☀️

 

A Meaningful (and Low-Prep) Way to Celebrate Mother’s Day in Math Class 🌸

By the time May rolls around, students are ready for something different—and honestly, so are we. With everything going on this time of year, it helps to have activities that are engaging, low-prep, and still meaningful.

This Mother’s Day Fraction Flower Craft is an easy way to review math skills while creating something students are excited about.

 

🌼 Math Practice Meets Creativity

Students solve fraction problems and use their answers to build a flower craft. It turns review into a hands-on activity—and many students love turning their finished flowers into a Mother’s Day gift.

✏️ Skills Covered

  • Equivalent fractions

  • Adding and multiplying fractions

  • Simplifying

  • Converting improper fractions to mixed numbers

There’s also a blank option to customize the activity to your class.

🌸 Easy to Use

This works well for:

  • Math centers

  • Small groups

  • Early finishers

  • End-of-unit review

With multiple levels included, it’s easy to differentiate without extra prep.

💐 A Meaningful End-of-Year Activity

The finished flowers make a beautiful display—and give students something they’re proud to share.

If you’re looking for a simple way to keep math engaging while celebrating Mother’s Day, this is an easy win. 🌷

Mother’s Day Handprint Art Craft for Preschool and Kindergarten

Create a meaningful keepsake with this easy, low-prep Mother’s Day handprint art activity!

 

Perfect for toddlers, preschool, and kindergarten, students use their handprints to make a heartfelt gift for moms, grandmas, or special caregivers.

With simple printable templates and minimal setup, it’s an ideal choice for classroom crafts, centers, or quick projects families will treasure for years. Click here for the link!

Happy Mother’s Day! ❤️


 

Busy Season Survival: Easy Classroom Activities for April and May

If April feels extra hectic, you’re not imagining it. This time of year often brings spring testing, schedule changes, field trips, end-of-year events, and plenty of classroom germs making the rounds. Add in students who are ready for sunshine and summer, and keeping everyone engaged can feel like a challenge.

During busy seasons like this, I always look for activities that are high engagement, low prep, and easy to implement. Whether you teach upper elementary or preschool, having ready-to-go resources can make all the difference.

Here are two favorites for this time of year.

 

🏥 Turn Math Review into an Operating Room Mission

If your upper elementary students need a fresh way to practice math skills, this Order of Operations Classroom Transformation is a fun way to break up the routine.

Students become surgeons-in-training and solve math expressions to “save the patient” while practicing PEMDAS or GEMS. The hospital theme instantly grabs attention, and the activity turns regular review into something memorable.

 

This resource includes:

  • 3 differentiated levels of task cards

  • Practice with parentheses, exponents, multiplication, division, addition, and subtraction

  • Editable doctor badges and medical posters

  • Setup guides and answer keys

  • Editable task cards for custom practice

 

It’s perfect for:

  • Order of operations review

  • Test prep season

  • Classroom transformation days

  • Centers or small groups

  • Math enrichment

 

When students are restless this time of year, a themed activity like this can completely shift the energy in the room.

 

🌸 Keep Little Learners Busy in May

If you teach preschool, Pre-K, or kindergarten, May can feel just as busy. Students are excited for summer, routines start to shift, and keeping learning meaningful takes creativity.

That’s why I love having a full month of ready-to-go ideas with this 31 May Preschool Activities Bundle.

Inside are hands-on daily activities focused on:

  • Fine motor development

  • Letter recognition

  • Counting and early math

  • Art and creativity

  • Sensory play

  • Movement and hands-on exploration

From flower activities to matching games, crafts, and playful learning prompts, there’s something fresh for each day of the month.

 

This resource works beautifully for:

  • Morning tubs

  • Spring centers

  • End-of-year classroom fun

  • Homeschool or daycare settings

  • Easy May lesson planning

It’s a simple way to keep young learners engaged while still building important foundational skills.

 

Make Busy Season Easier

April and May can be a lot for teachers. Having engaging, low-prep activities on hand can help you get through the busiest weeks while keeping students learning and having fun.

Whether you’re transforming your classroom into an operating room for math review or filling May with playful preschool learning, these resources are designed to make your life easier during one of the busiest times of the school year.

 

FREE Spring Activities Teachers Can Use Right Away

Spring is the perfect time to refresh your classroom with engaging, low-prep activities. Whether you're working with upper elementary students or preschool learners, these two resources make it easy to keep students motivated and learning — and each one comes with a free bonus resource to get you started.

 

💌 Figurative Language Activities for Upper Elementary (Plus Free Posters)

If you're looking for a way to make figurative language more engaging — especially around Valentine's Day or anytime in the spring — this Figurative Language Activity Packet is designed to make abstract concepts fun and memorable.

Students explore key figurative language skills through hands-on, creative activities like:

  • Creating alliteration ice cream or milkshakes

  • Dressing like idioms

  • Analyzing song lyrics

  • Identifying figurative language in movies

  • Interactive games, crafts, and projects

This resource covers:

  • Similes

  • Metaphors

  • Idioms

  • Hyperbole

  • Personification

  • Alliteration

  • Onomatopoeia

It works well for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classrooms and includes lesson plans, worksheets, quick checks, and a final assessment — making it easy to teach an entire figurative language unit with minimal prep.

 

🎁 Free Bonus: Figurative Language Posters

This resource also pairs perfectly with the free Figurative Language Posters, which provide clear definitions and examples for all seven skills. These posters make great:

  • Bulletin boards

  • Anchor charts

  • Writing reference walls

  • Test prep supports

Just print and display for an easy visual reminder students can use all year long.

 

🌸 April Preschool Activity Bundle (Plus Alphabet Egg Hunt Freebie)

For younger learners, April is full of opportunities for hands-on learning. This 30-Day April Preschool Activity Bundle includes spring-themed crafts, Easter-inspired activities, and fine motor practice designed specifically for toddlers, preschool, Pre-K, and kindergarten students.

Activities focus on:

  • Fine motor development

  • Letter recognition

  • Early math skills

  • Creativity and art

  • Sensory play and movement

With 30 simple, low-prep activities, teachers can easily add meaningful learning to centers, morning tubs, or small groups throughout the month.

 

🎁 Free Bonus: April Alphabet Egg Hunt

As a sample from the bundle, the April Alphabet Egg Hunt Freebie gives students a fun, hands-on way to practice letter recognition.

Students open plastic eggs, find letters, and match them to an alphabet mat — building:

  • Letter recognition

  • Uppercase/lowercase matching

  • Fine motor skills

  • Early literacy development

It’s perfect for April centers, spring themes, or Easter classroom activities.

Simple, Seasonal Learning Made Easy

Whether you're teaching figurative language to upper elementary students or planning spring centers for preschool, these resources make it easy to keep learning engaging without adding extra prep to your day.

And with free companion resources included, you can try them out right away and bring a little extra excitement to your classroom this spring. 🌸

Happy teaching,

Allison Spaid

Connect with me on social media!

TPT: SpaidsintheClassoom

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Ramadan Ends Friday🌙 Baseball Starts Wednesday ⚾ Here’s a Fun Way to Teach Both.

Spring brings a lot of exciting moments into the classroom. With Ramadan ending this week and Baseball Opening Day right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to weave a little seasonal excitement into your math block while still keeping learning front and center.

Here are two engaging options teachers can use right now—one hands-on and creative, the other completely digital and ready to assign.

 

🌙 Ramadan Math Crafts (Grades 3–6)

Ramadan is a meaningful time for many students and families, and incorporating thoughtful classroom activities can help acknowledge the holiday while still reinforcing important academic skills.

One option is using Ramadan-themed math crafts, where students solve math problems and use their answers to build a decorative craft. These activities combine academic practice with creativity, resulting in projects students are proud to display.

There are three different Ramadan craft designs available, including:

 

Each craft allows students to practice math skills while assembling a visually engaging Ramadan-themed project. With 300+ math problems covering more than 40 math skills—including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division—teachers can easily choose the skill that fits their current math unit.

 

These crafts work especially well for:

  • Ramadan classroom recognition

  • Math centers or small groups

  • Differentiated practice

  • Early finisher activities

  • Bulletin boards and hallway displays

Teachers appreciate that the activities are low prep and flexible, and the finished crafts create a beautiful way to celebrate Ramadan while reinforcing meaningful math practice.

 

⚾ Baseball Digital Escape Rooms (Grades 3–5)

With Baseball Opening Day coming next week, sports-themed math activities are a great way to boost engagement—especially for students who enjoy games and competition.

A fun option is a Baseball-Themed Digital Escape Room, where students solve math problems to unlock clues and help their team “escape” the game.

These activities are designed to feel like a video game-style challenge, with puzzles, codes, and self-checking slides that guide students through the experience.

Because the escape rooms are 100% digital, teachers can simply assign the activity and students can begin playing immediately—no printing, locks, or prep required.

 

These baseball-themed games work well for:

  • Math centers or digital stations

  • Small group practice

  • Independent work time

  • Early finisher activities

  • Seasonal review leading up to Opening Day

There are multiple versions available for grades 3–5, each focusing on different math skills, making it easy to match the activity to whatever students are currently practicing.

The sports theme keeps students motivated while still reinforcing important math concepts.

 

Bringing Seasonal Energy Into the Classroom

Simple seasonal activities can bring fresh energy into your classroom during busy spring weeks. Whether students are creating Ramadan math crafts or solving puzzles in a baseball-themed digital escape room, these activities offer a fun way to reinforce skills while celebrating moments happening right now.

It’s a small shift that can make math practice feel a lot more exciting. 🌙⚾

Happy teaching!

Allison Spaid

Connect with me on social media!

TPT: SpaidsintheClassoom

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No-Prep St. Patrick’s Day Math Games You Can Use TOMORROW 🍀

If your March calendar looks anything like mine, the weeks leading up to St. Patrick’s Day fill up quickly. Between testing prep, regular lessons, and keeping students engaged as spring fever starts to creep in, finding quick seasonal activities that don’t require extra prep can feel like a win.

For this post, I’m sharing two digital St. Patrick’s Day math games that you can assign instantly. No printing, no cutting, and no complicated setup—just assign and go. These activities work well for math centers, early finishers, small groups, or a quick themed lesson between now and March 17th.

 

Shamrock or Shenanigans Digital Math Game (Versions for Grades 3–6)

If you want a quick, engaging activity that gets students thinking critically, this digital Shamrock or Shenanigans game is a fun option.

Students work through completed math problems and decide whether the solution earns a lucky shamrock (correct) or is simply shenanigans (incorrect). Instead of just solving problems, students analyze the work shown and determine whether the answer is accurate. This format encourages deeper thinking and discussion about common mistakes.

The activity is designed with interactive slides and a playful St. Patrick’s Day theme, making it feel more like a game than a traditional practice assignment.

What teachers like most about this activity:

  • It’s 100% digital and completely no-prep

  • The error-analysis format encourages critical thinking

  • Students stay engaged with the Shamrock vs. Shenanigans game concept

  • Optional recording sheets can be used for accountability

 

I currently offer multiple versions of this game for grades 3–6, each focusing on different math skills, so it’s easy to match the activity to whatever your class is currently practicing.

It’s a quick way to add a little St. Patrick’s Day fun to your math block while still keeping the focus on meaningful practice.

 

St. Patrick’s Day Digital Math Escape Room (Grades 3–6)

Another easy digital option for March is a St. Patrick’s Day themed math escape room. Students work through a series of challenges, solving problems and unlocking secret codes as they move through the activity.

The game features a playful storyline where students must outsmart a mischievous leprechaun while completing math tasks. The digital slides are designed to feel like a self-paced video game, which keeps students motivated to continue solving each challenge.

Because the activity is fully digital, teachers can use it in a variety of ways:

  • Math centers or rotations

  • Small group practice

  • Independent work time

  • Early finisher activities

  • Seasonal enrichment before a break

Teachers love this activity because it is completely no prep—there are no locks to set up, nothing to print, and no materials to organize. Just assign the slides and students can start solving.

Like the Shamrock game, I also have multiple escape room versions available for grades 3–6, each aligned with different math skills. That makes it easy to use the same engaging format while practicing whatever concepts your students are currently learning.

 

Quick Seasonal Learning That Doesn’t Add to Your To-Do List

Seasonal activities don’t need to mean extra work for teachers. Simple digital games can add a little St. Patrick’s Day excitement to your classroom while still reinforcing important math skills.

If you’re looking for quick, engaging digital activities you can use between now and March 17th, these games are designed to make it easy—just assign, play, and let the learning happen. 🍀

Happy teaching,

Allison Spaid

Connect with me on social media!

TPT: SpaidsintheClassoom

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