Every year, I look for that one perfect book that helps ease the nerves of day one and starts meaningful conversations about what it means to be part of a classroom community. School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex does exactly that. It’s funny, heartfelt, and told from a surprising point of view – the school building itself! My first graders always giggle when the school feels “nervous,” and that opens the door for all sorts of first-week writing and social-emotional learning.
If you’re looking for School’s First Day of School activities that go beyond just reading the story aloud, I’ve got you covered. This book is packed with opportunities for writing, discussion, and reflection. If you find any of the activities in this post useful, make sure to check my ready to print, low prep TPT activities unit!
Summary of School’s First Day of School
In this sweet and clever story, a newly built school is getting ready for its very first day. The janitor comforts the nervous school, and as the students arrive, the building begins to see, hear, and feel all the energy of the day. At first, the school isn’t so sure how it feels about all the noise and mess, but by the end, it’s proud, happy, and – most importantly – lucky.
Why This Book Is Perfect for Back to School
Kids relate to the nervous energy of the first day, and this story gives them a safe way to talk about those big feelings. It’s also perfect for classroom discussions about empathy – what might it feel like to be the school? Plus, it sets the tone for respect and kindness in shared spaces.
Use School’s First Day of School activities to Practice Writing Skills
From simple opinion writing to creative prompts and journal entries, this book is a goldmine for early writers.
- First Day Feelings Journal gives kids a chance to express their emotions and explain why they felt that way.
- Because … , Then … cause and effect chains help students dig into story structure and logical thinking.
School’s First Day of School to Learn to Talk about your Feelings and SEL
So many SEL conversations come naturally from this book. These School’s First Day of School activities help build emotional awareness from day one:
- Why the School Feels Lucky: Students fill out a web diagram about what made the school feel good at the end of the day.
- What Our School Learned Today: This reflective prompt turns the building into a character and encourages empathy.
Quick Lesson Plan Ideas
- 📚 Read aloud School’s First Day of School
- 🧠 Discuss: “How do you think the school felt when the students arrived?”
- ✏️ Activity: Feelings journal entry or letter to another school
- 🧩 Vocabulary: Word search or describing your school
Want All These Activities in One Easy Pack?
Get all the School’s First Day of School activities in one printable resource! It includes writing prompts, SEL worksheets, story retelling, a word search, and more. Perfect for first day printables or back to school week. Click HERE to grab it from my TPT store and make your first week preparation smooth!
Are you looking for the perfect way to kick off the school year with your favorite read-alouds? Visit my TPT resource with a bundle of activities to go along with beloved back-to-school books like. The activities in the bundle include crafts, writing prompts, and comprehension activities your students will love. Build classroom routines, friendships, and SEL from day one. Grab the bundle now and make your first week easy and meaningful!
