5 back to school Activities for middle school ELA
By MARISSA DESPINS Updated Oct 16, 2023
Summer days are slowly coming to a close. It is time to start thinking of some stellar back to school activities for middle school to engage your learners as the new school year begins.
Looking for some print and go resources you can take and use right away with your learners? Click on the image or button below to see all of the back to school activitis for middle school ELA available in my TPT shop.
Back to school activities for middle school ELA
I’ve got you covered with five absolute must-do back to school activities for middle school ELA. Let’s dive in and make this back to school season the best one yet!
Middle School Ice Breakers
Building a good relationship with your students is important, and it’s also crucial for students to connect with each other. Quickly forming these bonds creates inclusivity and a sense of community. This improves classroom discussions and collaboration.
To achieve this, I incorporate icebreaker activities into my lessons during the first few weeks. Engaging in a couple of rounds of “Two Truths and a Lie” or “Would You Rather” serves as an effective strategy to encourage interaction and mingling among the students. These activities also serve as catalysts for stimulating classroom discussions, and are some of my favorite back to school activities for middle school.
Grab a copy of these fun ice breaker activities to use with your learners by clicking on the image or button below.
For additional information on the benefits of using these types of prompts as icebreakers in your classroom, be sure to check out our guide to the benefits of using would you rather prompts (and grab a free resource!).
Learning Style Inventories
The Learning Style Inventories help you understand how your students prefer to learn. They’re designed to provide quick insights at the start of the school year. Having this knowledge allows me to vary how I teach and customize my lessons. It also helps me meet the specific needs of each student.
Students also benefit significantly from recognizing their personal learning styles. Firstly, being equipped with this vital information encourages them to assume ownership of their own learning journey. Moreover, it aids them in identifying the most effective approaches for absorbing new information.
Grab a copy of these engaging learning style resources by clicking on the image below.
Looking to learn more about learning styles and ways you can incorporate them into your classroom curriculum? You won’t want to miss our guide to Learning Styles in the Classroom!
Get to know you Mandala Projects
Are you in search of an enjoyable art project for back-to-school? This creative activity involves students in crafting their own personalized mandalas. Within these mandalas, they incorporate symbols and colors that mirror their unique personalities. Beyond the conventional “All About Me” project, this activity significantly heightens student engagement and encourages introspection. It facilitates a deeper understanding of their identities and offers you insights into their individual personalities.
Grab a copy of these resources to use with your learners by clicking on the image below.
This mandala art project is one of my very favorite back to school activities. Learn more about it in our post all about Back to School Mandalas.
Activities for Quiet Reflection
The initial week after returning to school can prove to be quite overwhelming for all parties involved. I believe that students value the opportunity for moments of introspection as much as I appreciate the sense of tranquility it ushers into my classroom environment! Because of this, I try to incorporate some quiet reflective activities into our first few weeks of learning.
These activities encourage students to share fun facts about themselves. Once completed, I store these worksheets in each student’s personal record folder. This lets me review them at different times during the year. Having this information at the start of the school term is very helpful. It helps me find common interests and build connections with the students from the beginning.
Grab a copy to use in your classroom by clicking on the image below.
Looking for more opportunities to encourage quiet reflection in the classroom? Be sure to check out our comprehensive guide to Outdoor Sit Spots. They are a great way to encourage reflection while enjoying time outdoors with your students.
Parent Information
Parents undoubtedly serve as our most significant collaborators within the classroom. Because of this, giving them a chance to express themselves holds immense value. I make it a priority to distribute “Parent Perspective” and “Interest Forms” in the initial week, requesting students to complete them in collaboration with their parents. This practice provides an excellent platform for parents to share their viewpoints, address any concerns they might have, and contribute their distinctive outlooks.
Grab a copy of these activities to use with your learners by clicking on the image below.
Looking for more back to school activities for middle School?
Check out some of my previous posts below!
Back to School Resource Roundup
Six Things Every ELA Teacher Should Do at the Start of a New School Year
Essential Activities for the First Week of School
Back to School Read Aloud Favorites
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