Icebreakers

• On the first day of school, a teacher is teaching some of the most important lessons of the year in establishing a classroom climate that is warm, safe, welcoming, orderly and challenging. There are a wide variety of icebreaker exercises in which each child introduces herself and shares a little information -- almost any game or activity that involves taking turns can be modified to include this, from the introduction of a "talking stick" to a game of musical chairs or tag. Activities that involve the children working together in smaller groups to accomplish a task, then coming together to share the results, are also great icebreakers.
  
  

Character-Building Activities

• There are many fun things to do that lead children to consider and discuss good choices: being responsible, cooperating, and sharing. Cooperative games allow children to actively experience the benefits of practicing these behaviors. Painting, drawing and sculpting can illustrate the good feeling of being a friend or the pain of exclusion. For older elementary children, character education can include discussions of ethical dilemmas, reading and writing.
  
  

Math and Science Activities

• Elementary school children are fascinated by how things work. Take advantage of this fascination and introduce them to the many principles of math and science that can be illustrated with everyday objects, from baking soda and vinegar "volcanoes" to Mobius strips and sundials. Counting, classifying objects into groups, and manipulating shapes all teach basic mathematical and scientific thinking, as do word problems. Make your word problems as hilarious as possible; you may lose a minute or two in wisecracking, but it will be made up for by the children being educated while they are entertained.
  
  

Drama, Drama

• Role plays, skits and longer plays all offer opportunities to teach reading, writing and public speaking along with whatever curricular content you wish to include, and can be modified to suit every grade level. Give everyone a chance to take every role in the process: writer, actor, director, and set designer. There are many free collections of scripts and theater ideas for this age group available online.