The first day of school is one of the most important days of the year. We want our students to walk through the door feeling welcomed and excited, but we also have so much to accomplish! We need to learn names, introduce routines, tour the school, establish classroom expectations, begin building friendships, and somehow squeeze in a little reading and math along the way.
That’s exactly why I created my Dino-Mite First Day of School Adventure!
Instead of moving from one unrelated first-day activity to another, this resource turns the entire day into a Dino Dig Training Adventure. Students become paleontologists and Dino Dig Explorers as they complete seven special training missions throughout their first day.
The Adventure Begins Before Students Arrive
Building excitement can begin before the first bell even rings! The resource includes Dino-Mite invitations that can be emailed or mailed to students before school begins. I love printing them on bright-colored paper to make receiving that first message from the teacher feel extra special.
A “This Year Will Be Dino-Mite!” display and dinosaur name activity can also be waiting for students when they arrive. Students personalize their dinosaurs and add their names before they become part of a colorful classroom bulletin board.
It’s a simple activity, but it immediately gives every child a place in the classroom community.
Welcome to Dino Dig Training!
Once students are ready, the official training begins!
The seven Dino Dig missions take students through many of the things we already need to accomplish on that busy first day:
Paleontologist Check-In welcomes students and gets them ready for their first expedition. Dino Dig Site Tour introduces important places around the school. A dinosaur-themed read-aloud and discussion opens the door to talking about making good choices at school. Students then move into Fossil Word Dig, a Dino Dig Math Expedition, and Dino Dig Cooperation Training before ending their adventure with Dino Dig Graduation.
Instead of simply telling students about their new school and classroom, they get to explore it, experience it, and become part of it.
Reading, Math & Learning on Day One
I also wanted the day to include meaningful academics without making the first day feel like a regular school day.
Students can dig for words using the letters in DINOSAUR, recording the words they discover along the way.
During the Dino Dig Math Expedition, students practice addition and number sense through dinosaur-themed activities and games.
Many of the literacy and math activities can be used independently, with partners, or later in centers, giving teachers flexibility to adjust the day for their particular group of students.
Building a Dino-Mite Classroom Community
Of course, the first day isn’t only about academics.
Students begin learning what it means to be a Dino-Mite Learner. They explore important classroom behaviors such as listening, following directions, helping others, doing their best, and taking care of their classroom.
They also participate in a Dino-Mite Friend Challenge, moving around the classroom to discover things they have in common with their new classmates.
Those little connections can make a big difference to a child walking into an unfamiliar classroom.
And While They Explore…You Observe!
There is another important purpose behind many of these activities.
The first day gives us our first glimpse of who our students are as learners.
While students are busy enjoying their Dino Dig Adventure, teachers can make informal observations about independence, fine-motor skills, following directions, listening, participation, social interactions, and task completion.
I like keeping the student checklist nearby on a clipboard and only making a notation when I see a student struggling. There is no need to turn the first day into an assessment day. A few simple observations can provide valuable information about who may need a little extra support as the year begins.
End the Day With Dino Dig Graduation!
After a full day of exploring, learning, and working together, students complete their training and become official members of the Dino-Mite classroom.
Each student receives a Dino Dig Certificate celebrating the completion of their training mission and sending them home with one very important message:
It’s going to be a DINO-MITE year!
The goal is to make that first day easier for the teacher while creating something memorable for students—a day filled with exploration, friendships, learning, laughter, and plenty of dinosaur fun.
After all, the best ending to the first day of school is hearing your students say…
“I can’t wait to come back tomorrow!”
No Comments