When August rolls around, I can’t help but get butterflies in my stomach. The anticipation of meeting my new group of kiddos and the adventures we’ll embark on together remind me just how much I love teaching! Along with that excitement comes the need to kick off the year with activities that help my students and me get to know each other while easing back into the school routines. Today, I’m sharing some August activities to help start the year on the right foot!
August Activities for Morning Work
One of my favorite August activities is my 1st Grade Morning Work Yearlong bundle. Having morning work is perfect for starting each day on a productive note. As my students walk in, they know exactly what to do. As soon as they unpack, they grab their morning work and get started. This routine helps them transition smoothly into the school day and reinforces key skills through consistent practice.
Each page is designed with various activities covering essential first-grade skills, such as math, reading, and writing. I love how it’s a spiral review as well. This ensures that concepts are revisited and reinforced throughout the year. Plus, it’s so easy to use—just print and go, which is perfect during the chaos of the first couple weeks of school.
In those first few weeks of school, the morning work serves as a quiet, independent activity that sets a calm and focused tone for the day. It also gives me a few precious minutes to take attendance, check in with students, and address any immediate needs. Over time, I’ve noticed that this consistent routine boosts my students’ confidence and builds their independence and accountability. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Looking for 2nd grade morning work or materials to use as a review after the summer? Make sure to check out my 2nd Grade Morning Work resource!
ELA Resources to Use for August Activities
Sight Word Color By Code
One of my favorite August activities that I love to kick off the school year with is the 1st Grade Sight Word Color by Code Coloring Pages. These are fun and incredibly effective for reinforcing sight word recognition right from the start. It’s the perfect sight word review after summer break.
Each coloring page has a back-to-school theme, which excites the kids about the new school year. The best part is that while they’re busy coloring, they’re also practicing their sight words. It’s a perfect blend of learning and play!
I usually introduce these coloring pages during the first week of school. They serve as a great icebreaker activity, helping my students settle in and get comfortable with their new environment. Plus, it’s a great way for me to assess their sight word knowledge early on.
My kids absolutely love these pages because they get to be creative and color while learning. It’s wonderful to see their pride when they complete a page and recognize the sight words they’ve been working on. These coloring activities also provide a nice, calming break between more structured lessons, keeping the atmosphere in the classroom positive and engaging.
Fall Color By Sight Word
Once we have gone through the back to school images, we keep up the sight word practice with the Color by Sight Word Fall Worksheets. I might start these at the end of August, but they will carry me through September and the fall months too! As my students color, they reinforce their sight word knowledge, which is crucial in the early stages of reading. The fall-themed designs are a big hit and add a seasonal touch, making the activity even more exciting.
I typically use these worksheets as a calming activity after recess or a fun homework activity. The kiddos are always eager to see which sight words they’ll work on and which colorful picture they’ll create. It is amazing to see their concentration and excitement as they work on these sheets and reveal the picture.
Back to School Word Search
We all know that those first few weeks in the classroom don’t always go to plan. Because of this, I always have several activities that I can quickly pull out for my students to work on. One of the go-to August activities I love to use is the Back to School Word Search. This word search excites my students about the new school year while sharpening their vocabulary skills.
I like to use this word search during the first few days of school as part of our welcome activities. It’s a great icebreaker that helps my students settle in and get to know each other. The back-to-school theme makes it relevant and fun. It features words related to the school, classroom, and school supplies.
The word search is an excellent tool for introducing new vocabulary in an engaging way. It also provides a sense of accomplishment when they find all the words. Their confidence receives a boost, and they are excited to learn. It can be completed individually or as a partner activity as students get to know each other.
How I Spent My Summer Vacation Comic Strip
When I am planning out my August activities, I plan activities that show my students’ skills and allow me to learn about them as an individual! That helps me meet two of my back to school goals at one time. My How I Spent My Summer Vacation Comic Strip Template is a creative resource that gives the traditional summer journal a fun twist! It allows my students to share their summer adventures in comic strip style.
Each student receives a comic strip template and is encouraged to illustrate and write about their favorite summer memories. It’s incredible to see their stories come to life with colorful drawings and imaginative captions. This activity sparks their creativity and helps them practice their narrative skills.
Using this comic strip template is a wonderful way to get to know my students better. As they share their comics with the class, we all get a glimpse into each other’s summer experiences. This helps us to start to grow a sense of community and connection. It’s a great conversation starter and helps my students feel more comfortable and engaged from day one.
The comic strip format especially appeals to our students who might be reluctant writers. It provides a structured, yet flexible, way for them to express themselves without feeling overwhelmed. Plus, it’s a fantastic keepsake they can look back on later in the year.
August Activities for Math
Number Formation Writing Practice
Reviewing skills from the previous year is the perfect way to ease into the new school year and that is just what these number writing pages do. Students can work on important handwriting skills while also reviewing number identification with the Number Formation Writing Numbers 1-20 Worksheets. Using these number formation worksheets with first graders in August ensures that my students start the year strong with essential math skills.
Each worksheet focuses on tracing and writing numbers from 1 to 20, providing plenty of practice for little hands to master number formation. I usually introduce these worksheets during our math centers or as part of our morning work routine. It’s a great way to reinforce number recognition and writing in a structured and engaging manner. I like to mix it up and let them write with pencil, rainbow write, or use their favorite color.
What I appreciate most about these worksheets is their clear and simple design, which makes it easy for my students to follow along and practice independently. The repetitive tracing and writing help solidify their number writing skills and build their confidence. It’s the perfect way to fine-tune those rusty summer handwriting skills.
2nd Grade Math Review
Before diving into new math content, I always spend time at the beginning of the year reviewing math skills from the previous grade level. For incoming third graders, that’s where my 2nd Grade End of the Year Math Review Packets come into play for August activities. These review pages are useful for reviewing essential math skills from the previous grade to ease back into the learning routine and give them a boost of confidence as they recall previously learned information.
At the beginning of the school year, I like to use these review pages during our math block. They provide a review of key second-grade math concepts. It ensures that my students have a solid foundation before we dive into new material. The packets cover various topics, including addition, subtraction, place value, and basic geometry, making them perfect for a thorough refresher.
What’s great about these review pages is that they are designed to be engaging and student-friendly. Each page includes a variety of activities and problems that keep students interested and motivated. I often incorporate these into our morning work or as part of our math centers. Sometimes I have students work independently or in small groups.
Using these review pages in August gives us just the refresher we need before jumping into new skills. They revisit familiar concepts and see how much they remember, which boosts their self-assurance as they transition into a new grade. It’s also a valuable assessment tool for me to identify areas where students might need extra support.
Math Centers
At the beginning of the year, I always take time to model different center activities that review essential math skills. This sets a clear expectation and helps my students understand how each center works. Once they see it modeled a couple of times, this leads them to work independently and effectively throughout the year.
One math center I always include in my August activities is the 3-Digit Addition with No Regrouping Math Worksheets. These worksheets are fantastic for reinforcing addition skills in a straightforward and manageable way. During our first few weeks, I demonstrate how to approach these problems step-by-step. By modeling this process, I show my students how to solve 3-digit addition problems confidently. This sets them up for success when they tackle these worksheets on their own or with partners.
Another exciting activity I love introducing is the Math Games: Multiplication Capture the Square. This game is a fun and engaging way to review multiplication facts. I explain the rules and strategies and play a few rounds with them as a class. This not only helps them understand how to play but also shows them that math can be fun and interactive. Once they grasp the game’s directions, it becomes a favorite in our math centers. My kiddos look forward to practicing multiplication while creating a bit of healthy competition.
By modeling these center activities, I ensure that my students are comfortable and confident in their math skills. These resources provide the perfect blend of practice and play. They make math reviews both effective and enjoyable.
Classroom Decor Ideas for August
2D Shape Posters
One of my favorite ways to spruce up our classroom and reinforce key concepts at the start of the school year is by using the Primary 2D Shape Attributes Posters. These posters are vibrant and eye-catching. They are packed with essential information about 2D shapes and their attributes.
At the beginning of the year, I make it a point to introduce these posters to my students. We spend time discussing each shape, its properties, and how to identify them. The visual aids are helpful for my visual learners. They provide a constant reference throughout the year.
The posters also serve as a fantastic backdrop for our math bulletin board. They brighten up the classroom and create an inviting learning environment. My students often refer to them during lessons and independent work, reinforcing their understanding and retention of the material.
Using these 2D shape attributes posters in our August activities sets a solid foundation for our geometry lessons. They make abstract concepts more tangible and accessible for my students. Plus, they add a touch of color and excitement to our classroom, making it a welcoming space for learning!
Ten Frame Number Posters
At the start of the school year, I use the Ten Frame Number Posters to support my students’ understanding of numbers. These posters come in handy when teaching foundational math skills and making numbers more tangible for our young learners.
During our August activities, I introduce these ten frame posters to my students. I explain how they help us visualize numbers. We discuss each poster, count the dots, and recognize how numbers are represented in a ten frame. This hands-on approach makes abstract concepts more concrete and understandable for my students.
I display these posters in our classroom, creating a number wall that my students can refer to throughout the year. The visual representation of numbers helps reinforce counting, addition, and subtraction skills. Plus, the colorful and engaging design of the posters keeps my students interested and excited about learning math.
In addition to using these as posters in the classroom, I love to print out an extra set to use in math center activities. During our math centers, I incorporate these ten-frame posters in various ways. For example, we use them during counting games, where students match objects to the ten frames. We also use them in small group activities, where they practice building numbers using counters. These interactive experiences solidify their understanding and make learning numbers fun and engaging.
Engage Your Students with August Activities
As we gear up for another exciting school year, these August activities have become my go-to strategies for creating a welcoming and engaging classroom environment. From interactive morning work and creative writing prompts to fun math games, each activity plays a role in helping my students feel comfortable, confident, and ready to learn. I love seeing their faces light up as they dive into these activities, and I can’t wait to see all the growth and discoveries we’ll make together. Here’s to a fantastic start to the school year filled with learning, laughter, and endless adventures!
Looking for More August Activities and Ideas?
Check out these posts for more back-to-school inspiration!
Save these August Activities for Later
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