Back to School Ideas and Activities for Upper Elementary

Back to school season is both exciting and overwhelming.  There's so much for teachers to do, and never enough time to do it.  Below, find activities and ideas for those first days of school to help set your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade student up for a successful year.

The ideas below include:

  • classroom management tips
  • ice breakers and activity ideas
  • tips and advice from real teachers
  • must have classroom supplies
  • fun ways to review procedures
  • word wall ideas
  • advice and tips for first year teachers from a veteran
  • All About Me Activity Ideas
  • a free classroom procedures checklist
  • back to school books
  • ...and more!
Morning Work / Bell ringer ideas for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students

Wondering what to do for morning work?  Check out these 14 morning work ideas for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students.  Something is bound to work for your classroom!

Activities and ice breaker ideas that have been tested by real teachers to help make your back to school a success (for upper elementary)

Activities and ice breaker ideas that have been tested by real teachers to help make your first week of school a success.  These activities are ideal for upper elementary students.

Morning Work / Bell ringer ideas for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students

Get to know your students - and help your students get to know each other - with these 7 get to know you activity ideas! Great for the first week of school.

Activities and ice breaker ideas that have been tested by real teachers to help make your back to school a success (for upper elementary)
You'll be working on opinion writing all year long. Why not start the year off with a fun opinion writing prompt that will get you a good writing sample?
Classroom supplies that 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers need for back to school

After surveying over 250 teachers, I collected a list of the most essential supplies for any upper elementary teacher - whether first year or veteran.  having these classroom supplies on hand will make your school year much easier.

17 fun ways to review procedures with your upper elementary students

After teaching your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students the classroom procedures the first week of school, practice procedures in a fun way! Includes a free printable for reviewing procedures.

11 things every upper elementary teacher needs as they head back to school

These are my 9 must-haves for any upper elementary teacher to have as they head back to school. Includes the most important supplies, procedures, and plans I used in my 3rd grade class.  You can also download free sub plans - one of my must haves!

back to school teacher tips for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students - advice from real teachers

Tips from real teachers to make going back to school easier. Includes tips about building a classroom community, classroom management, time management, grading, parent communication, and more.

Classroom management ideas to consider before you head back to school to teach 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade students

Ideas for a variety of classroom management needs, including creating arrival and dismissal procedures, setting up classroom jobs, practicing procedures, making morning work less stressful, dealing with pencils, and more.

Questions for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade community to encourage conversation and build a positive classroom community.

Getting students to talk to each other in a safe setting is one of the best ways to help students feel more comfortable with each other.  Use these questions all year long to build a positive classroom community. 

8 All About Me Ideas to help build relationships with your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students as you head back to school

Looking to change how you get to know your students at the beginning of the year?  Check out these 8 All About Me Ideas for Back to School.  

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Book recommendations for back to school.  These make great read alouds for upper elementary students that first week of school.
Advice and tips for the first year teacher, from a veteran.

Advice and tips for the first year teacher, from a veteran.  Ways to help you not just survive the year, but to thrive!  Part 1 of 2.

classroom procedures checklist for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade
Use this free classroom procedures checklist to help make sure you're not forgetting to teach any essential procedures as you head back to school!
Interview A friend / interview a classmate activity for 3rd 4th and 5th grade

Having students interview a friend or classmate makes a great back to school activity.  See tips, questions, and ideas for doing this with your upper elementary students the first week of school.

Use this All About Me Bag Activity with a free printable as a fun way to get to know students the first days of school

This low prep "All About Me Bag" activity is a great way to get to know students - and for students to get to know each other - at the beginning of the year.

word wall ideas for upper elementary students

Several word wall ideas for 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students. Fun alternatives to the usual sight word wall to help challenge and support your upper elementary students.  Includes a free word wall template.

 

These back to school ideas and activities are geared towards third, fourth, and fifth grade students.

Never Stress Over Sub Plans Again!

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Make copies, find a fiction book, and you'll be ready for any emergency that comes your way!