2022 First-Day-of-School Icebreaker Activities

This school year building a sense of community in the classroom is essential to restore a sense of camaraderie among students as they return to the classroom. Try these first-day-of-school icebreakers so you can get to know your students better—and as a way to help them introduce themselves to one another.

2022 Back-to-School Icebreakers

Below is a compilation of activities to try on the first day of class for elementary, middle, and high school. Building relationships is a cornerstone of social and emotional learning and can help your students establish a sense of normalcy in the 2022–2023 school year.

6 Back-to-School Icebreakers for Elementary Students

Teachers can use these fun back-to-school icebreaker activities for elementary students in the classroom or remotely.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor
July 30, 2020
3 First-Day-of-School Icebreaker Activities for Middle School Students

Use these classroom icebreakers to have students introduce themselves to you—and each other—without using the traditional "Hi, my name is..." activity.

Kristen Eannetta
Associate Learning Architect, HMH
July 02, 2019
5 First-Day-of-School High School Icebreaker Activities

These icebreakers for students in Grades 9-12 will help them get to know one another while having fun and also getting creative.

Brenda Iasevoli
Shaped Executive Editor

Richard Blankman
Shaped Editor
August 19, 2020
9 Back-to-School Getting-to-Know-You Activities for Students

Try these back-to-school getting-to-know-you activities to help students discover more about their classmates on the first day of class.

Alicia Ivory
Shaped Editor
July 25, 2022
3 First-Day-Jitters Activities for Back-to-School

While each group of students will be different, there are some great back-to-school activities you can implement in your classroom year after year.

Amanda Rack
First Grade Teacher, Knob Hill Elementary School
August 16, 2019
All About Me Activities: Celebrate What Makes You 'Different'

Explore All About Me activities for elementary and middle school students. Help your students to celebrate what makes them different.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor
October 01, 2019