Christi Fultz

teacher resources • blog design • branding •

  • Home
  • Blog
    • Holiday Ideas
    • Decor
    • Early Learning
    • Literacy
    • Math
    • Tech Tips
    • Archive
  • About
    • Hello, Christi Fultz
    • Beauty
    • Wellness
    • Completely Christi
  • Teacher Shop
    • TeachersPayTeachers
    • Favorite Resources
  • Design Services
    • Website + Logos
    • How to Start a WordPress Blog
    • Apparel
  • Contact
  • Legal
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
You are here: Home / back to school / Back to School Community Building Activities
back to school

Back to School Community Building Activities

August 1, 2012

I love back to school time! I might complain a little about having to give up my summer sleep schedule, but I am always ready to go back and get to know my new group of students. I think we all know that those first few days are crucial for setting a positive tone for the year, so I work really hard to build a community where everyone feels important and involved. 

This year, I decided to bundle some of my favorite activities for the first week of school and offer them in my stores. Even if you don’t use my packet, I want to share a couple of my favorite ideas with you. First up is a teacher KWL chart. KWL charts aren’t anything new, but have you ever had students fill one out about YOU before? They’re a great way to address any misconceptions students might have about you (like you’re the meanest teaching in your grade level and give the most homework too). I like to open up about myself first so that students feel more comfortable when it’s their turn to share. As a bonus, students are practicing their listening and writing skills right from the start as they record my answers on their KWL chart.


I use another familiar form every year to help us make connections with each other… Venn Diagrams! Students compare and contrast themselves with a new friend by recording personal facts in each section of the chart. I especially like this activity because students often have to dig a little to find things they have in common. After they complete their charts, they flip the papers over and write a paragraph about their new friend. Again, this has students practicing so many important skills (listening, writing, turn-taking). It also allows me to informally assess their writing ability, love that!


Those are just two of my favorites, but several more are in my packet. What are some of your favorite activities for community building during back to school time?

community building
by Christi Fultz 

About Christi Fultz

wife • mom • teacher • writer • tech obsessed • sometime crafter • beach lover | Empowering entrepreneurs through branding & website design

View all posts by Christi Fultz

Related Posts

  • Creating a Culture of Caring Kids
  • Kicking Off The School Year: Video and Linky
  • Back to School Tips, Freebies, and a Giveaway too
  • End of the Year ABC Book Template

I MAKE STARTING YOUR OWN BLOG EASY…

previous post: Back to School Freebies
next post: Looking for Math Centers and Currently

Christi Fultz

wife • mom • teacher • writer • tech obsessed • sometime crafter • beach lover | Empowering entrepreneurs through branding & website design

Let’s Get Social

Search

Erin Condren Love

Click here for your $10 discount!

Follow by Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow on Bloglovin
Follow on Bloglovin

Instagram

christifultz

mama • teacher • business bestie | WordPress website design + virtual assistance for creative entrepreneurs. FREE digital marketing guides. ⬇️

Christi | WordPress Expert + Brand Strategist
Yes // I’m still shocked I said yes to this adve Yes // I’m still shocked I said yes to this adventure on the lake, but looking back at all the memories we’ve made there over the last 15 years made it a much easier yes. 🌊
Small Business Owners // As a reminder, I have a h Small Business Owners // As a reminder, I have a highlight bubble and website especially for creative entrepreneurs, TPT sellers, and tutors with tips to monetize and grow online! Visit the blog for TONS of free guides for beginners AND experienced small businesses. My personal favorite topic is SEO. 😎 design.christifultz.com
DIY Dollhouse // Last year we made Charlotte this DIY Dollhouse // Last year we made Charlotte this under stairs playroom and it turned out so sweet! https://completelychristi.com/2022/03/under-stair-playhouse-makeover.html

#louisvilleky #momsoflouisville #louisvillemoms #louisvillemomcollective #kentuckyblogger #kyblogger #louisvilleblogger #igerslouisville #derbycitymama #diyhomeprojects #diyhome #homedesigninspiration #homeinspo #homemakeover #diyinspo #makehomeyours #kidroomideas #childsroom #childsroomdecor #childroomdesign #kidsroom #kidsroommakeover #kidsroominspiration #kidsroomdesign
Blue // That moment when the map turns blue and yo Blue // That moment when the map turns blue and you switch into vacation mode. Thanks for another great week, Lake Erie. We’ll be back.
Memories // It’s not lost on me how quickly the Memories // It’s not lost on me how quickly the days with my kids this little will become memories. Even in the exhausting moments, I am thankful to be their mama.
Marblehead Lighthouse // This is always a favorite Marblehead Lighthouse // This is always a favorite stop when we’re at Lake Erie.
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Pinterest

Visit Christi Fultz's profile on Pinterest.

Affiliates



Disclosure: Some of the links on my site are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase from one. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Categories

Holiday Ideas

Early Learning

Decor

Literacy

Math

Button Up

Other Projects

  • Contact
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Site Map

As an experienced third grade teacher with a Masters in Elementary Education and K-12 reading license, I know educational resources need to be both inviting and engaging to capture students' interests. I am passionate about creating user-friendly resources to help all students learn while saving valuable prep for teachers. Read More…

Follow by email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Blog Design by

Illustration by Lovely Tocu. ©Design by Christi. Plaid Apple Ltd.

Follow @ ChristiFultz

Yes // I’m still shocked I said yes to this adve Yes // I’m still shocked I said yes to this adventure on the lake, but looking back at all the memories we’ve made there over the last 15 years made it a much easier yes. 🌊
Small Business Owners // As a reminder, I have a h Small Business Owners // As a reminder, I have a highlight bubble and website especially for creative entrepreneurs, TPT sellers, and tutors with tips to monetize and grow online! Visit the blog for TONS of free guides for beginners AND experienced small businesses. My personal favorite topic is SEO. 😎 design.christifultz.com
DIY Dollhouse // Last year we made Charlotte this DIY Dollhouse // Last year we made Charlotte this under stairs playroom and it turned out so sweet! https://completelychristi.com/2022/03/under-stair-playhouse-makeover.html

#louisvilleky #momsoflouisville #louisvillemoms #louisvillemomcollective #kentuckyblogger #kyblogger #louisvilleblogger #igerslouisville #derbycitymama #diyhomeprojects #diyhome #homedesigninspiration #homeinspo #homemakeover #diyinspo #makehomeyours #kidroomideas #childsroom #childsroomdecor #childroomdesign #kidsroom #kidsroommakeover #kidsroominspiration #kidsroomdesign
Blue // That moment when the map turns blue and yo Blue // That moment when the map turns blue and you switch into vacation mode. Thanks for another great week, Lake Erie. We’ll be back.
Memories // It’s not lost on me how quickly the Memories // It’s not lost on me how quickly the days with my kids this little will become memories. Even in the exhausting moments, I am thankful to be their mama.
Marblehead Lighthouse // This is always a favorite Marblehead Lighthouse // This is always a favorite stop when we’re at Lake Erie.
Time Passes // I shared a memory yesterday from th Time Passes // I shared a memory yesterday from the beginning of Ryan’s residency and said time passes no matter how you spend it. There were a lot of challenges in this journey, but there were a lot of sweet moments too.
Let Them // My sink is full of dirty dishes and th Let Them // My sink is full of dirty dishes and there are chocolate fingerprints all over the counter, but they are happy and proud of their brownie Death Stars from Carter’s Star Wars cookbook. I’ll take it.

Copyright © 2023 · Christi Fultz

Copyright © 2023 · Website + Branding Design by Christi Fultz.