After the 2020–2021 school year, back-to-school time is going to be different. Between disrupted schedules, quarantines, virtual and hybrid learning and distancing, students did not have a normal educational experience last year. As school ramps up again, they could use a little more time to transition back to the swing of things. They’ll still need to be reminded of the classroom rules and regulat

ions (especially with COVID mandates around masks and social distancing still in effect). They might need to be coaxed out of their shells with some sort of icebreaking activity. Or they might need to adjust to being back in a group setting, figuring out how to interact with other kids again.

These back-to-school activities are helpful for making an easy adjustment to the new school year. Some are back-to-school crafts meant to ignite their creativity (and get those bulletin boards filled, possibly with a new set of back-to-school photos). Others are icebreaking games that help the class learn a little more about each other. And some focus more on setting the tone for the year, with cooperative rule-making and individual goal-setting. Sprinkle some throughout the first day of school (or even the first

 week), and you’ll get the year started off on the right foot!