[Lesson Plan] First Day of School Feelings

Can you believe it’s already time to start thinking about back-to-school? The first few days of the school year can be both exciting and overwhelming, so to help ease the transition, we've created a set of engaging activities for you to use right away. These resources align seamlessly with core objectives in reading, math, writing, and social-emotional learning, requiring minimal preparation.

Not only are the activities engaging and easy to implement, but your students completed work can also serve as an eye-catching hallway display. Download them now for FREE and start the school year with confidence!

Download these anchor charts to help students express how they’re feeling on the first day of school. Whether they’re feeling nervous, shy, excited, worried, or happy, these charts provide a meaningful way to start important conversations and build classroom connection.

We've created an alternative version of this anchor chart for educators who may not be using it on the first day of school. Additionally, the emoji labels have been left off to allow for greater flexibility and customization. Feel free to choose the version that best meets the needs of your classroom.

If you’re planning to incorporate a read-aloud into your first-day lesson, consider using this anchor chart alongside First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg. The chart, paired with the pre-planned activities, are designed to support students in identifying and expressing their emotions as they begin the school year. It also creates a valuable opportunity for students to share personal experiences and engage in meaningful conversations about their feelings. Remind your students that all emotions are valid, and it’s completely normal to experience a mix of feelings on the first day of school.

Activity #1: Read Aloud and Poll the Class

• Give each student an emoji cutout shape (EMJ002- EMJ027) created by the VariQuest Cutout Maker or a sticky note to place above the emoji that shares their feelings. You can have students write their names on the sticky side of the sticky note or the back of the emoji cut shape to keep this activity anonymous.
• Cut out blank circles (EMJ019) and have students draw a self-portrait that shows the strongest emotion they felt on the first day back and have them attach that on the anchor chart.

Activity #2: Graphing Activities

• Use the data from activity #1 to create a tally chart with the class. Students will use the data from the tally chart to create a variety of graphs such as bar graphs, picture graphs, line graphs, and pie/circle graphs. Students will then analyze the data and share their findings with the class.
• Have students create the graphs individually, as a reinforcement, or in small groups to enhance classroom collaboration that encourages academic conversation and cooperation among students.

Activity #3: Writing Activities

Use one of the writing prompts below and guide students to create their own personalized Emoji Cutout Books. For this activity, you will need to prepare emoji cutout shapes (EMJ002- EMJ027) created by the VariQuest Cutout Maker or cut circles from construction paper for the book cover and circles from notebook paper, for each of your students.

Writing prompts:

• On the first day of school, I felt _________ because___________.
• On the first day of _____ grade, I felt ________ because _____________.
• What does you perfect first day of school look like?
• What is your goal for this new school year?
• Why do you think school is important?

Step 1: Have students create a book cover for their emoji cutout books

• Students can use emoji cutout shapes or a blank circle cutout to draw a self-portrait as the book cover. Cut them out in a 6” diameter for students in grades 2 and up. If you have students in lower grades, we recommend you adjust the size as needed.

Step 2: Decorate their book cover

• Provide students with blank cutout circles as a background for their emojis, then have students add colors to their emoji faces and personalize them.  Using white construction paper as the background page makes it easier for students to personalize their book covers using markers, crayons, or colored pencils.
  
  

Step 3: Begin their writing response

• Provide students with cutout circles from notebook paper, where they can write their responses. You can decide what type of lined paper best fits your students’ needs.

Step 4: Glue your emoji cutout books together. Use clear glue to combine the cover page, notebook paper page, and bottom page together.

We hope you enjoy these activities and wish you all the best in your first days of school! 

Want to learn more about the VariQuest Cutout Maker or Perfecta Poster Design System, used to create these projects? Request a demo to see live how our tools could be a great fit in your school!