Three Tips for a Beginning of the Year Scavenger Hunt

What are some of the activities that are "tried and true" that always seem to make an appearance in the first few weeks of your school year? Do you do team building activities? What about giving students scenarios of what they will experience during the school year (and walking them through how to handle them)? I'll share some of my favorite activities for the next couple of weeks. Hopefully you'll be able to find something that you can use in your classroom.

I like to give my "new to our school" students an opportunity to work with my "veteran" students to take a tour of the building in a fun way. I did not do this when my classroom was out in the portables for safety reasons, but when I was in the building, this was a favorite for some of my students.

Things to consider when allowing students to walk around your building:

1. Safety - Where are the classrooms located that they need access to? In another hallway than where you are? Can you station yourself "in the middle" somewhere so students can check in with you? What about access to exits? Do they know not to leave the premises?

2. Sound - You don't want your students to be a distraction in the hallways. Give specific instructions where students are/are not allowed to go. If I had several new to the building, I allowed them to go to the gym, music room, and art room for supplies if needed. If many are returners, I ask that they only go into our grade level classrooms. I let my teammates knew when it was happening and made sure if it didn't work in their schedule, that I told the students that classroom was off limits. Keep in mind, you'll want to make sure you introduce students to that teacher or teammate at some point, if you work closely with all of the other grade level classes.

3. School spirit - I like to include little things that tie our students back to our school. I asked for items that were in our school colors, and one of the very first items I request is a stuffed mascot. Is there something you can add that will bring them back to your school? Where is your pride throughout the building?

If you don't already have thoughts on what to include in your own scavenger hunt, grab one here from me!