It’s back to school time! And unlike most of you, I just finished my second week. But don’t feel sorry for me, because I have a three-week break in about seven weeks!  I love my year round schedule as the breaks give me a chance to re-energize.

Here are a few back to school tips and ideas, with a fun theme: something old, something, new, something borrowed, and something true…and all ideas you can use for back to school!

Something Old

On the first day, I like to set out a can of new personalized and sharp pencils (with themed pencil toppers). It’s like a little thank-you gift to my class, and everyone has a pencil ready for our get to know you activities!

Something New

This year Target had $1 nametags. When my students “checked in” that first morning, one activity was to decorate their name tag. It helped everyone get to know each other and it took the pressure off of me to keep track of everyone’s name.

Something Borrowed

I like to incorporate a bit of math on the first day and these activities from Love, Learn, Teach are perfect. Please check them out on her TPT store!

Something True

Teaching is hard work! But I tell myself, even though this is my twelfth first day of school as a third grade teacher, it’s my students’ one and only first day of school as a third grader. So I try to make it special and exciting.

I hope you found some ideas you can use here! Some of my favorite teacher bloggers are linking up with me to share their wonderful ideas the same way. Check out the link up below! Visit their blogs, and I hope you find lots of good ideas to get you excited and motivated for this new school year.