Stumped on creating an effective and fun 1st day of school lesson plan for 3rd grade? I got you!

The first day of school is exciting—but let’s be honest, it’s also a little chaotic. Between organizing supplies, helping nervous students, and answering questions from parents, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Having a simple and flexible plan for the first day of 3rd grade helps everything run more smoothly—and sets the tone for a kind, calm, and connected classroom.

These first day of 3rd grade activities are designed to build community, introduce routines, and make sure your students go home smiling and excited to return.

This post includes a full first day of 3rd grade schedule, plus ideas for when and how to introduce expectations without overwhelming your students.

I included a couple sample schedules on the bottom! Plug and play 🙂

Focus on Calm, Not Content

The first day isn’t about learning math or reading strategies. It’s about helping kids feel comfortable in a brand-new space. Most students are wondering things like:

• Where’s the bathroom?
• How do I know when it’s lunch?
• What do I do if I need help?

Keep your day slow and predictable. You’re building a foundation for the year—there’s plenty of time for academics later.

Sample Schedule

• 8:45-9:00: Arrival & drawing
• 9:00-9:30: Morning Meeting & basic routines
• 9:35-10:00: Back-to-School BINGO game (Icebreaker)
• 10:15-10:20: School tour
• 10:25-10:35: Review lunch behavior and expectations
• 10:40-11:10: Recess
• 11:15-12:00: Collaborative poster
• 12:00-12:45: Lunch
• 12:45-12:55: Bathroom break & water
• 1:00-2:00 Specials
• 2:05-2:20: Quiet time
• 2:25-2:40: Go over classroom jobs
• 2:55-3:15: Read-Aloud
• 3:20-3:25: Pack-up & teach routine
• 3:30-3:35: Closing Circle
• 3:40: Dismissal

First Day of 3rd Grade Schedule (No-Prep, Kid-Friendly Plan)

8:45–9:00 | Arrival & Drawing

• Greet students at the door
• Quiet drawing or coloring activity while students unpack and settle in
• Teach: Morning routine—where to put supplies, how to start the day

9:00–9:30 | Morning Meeting & Basic Routines

• Set a calm tone and explain how mornings will usually go
• Pick a greeting, share, and activity that is low-stress (make sure to grab my Morning Meeting Slides so you’re set for the entire year!)
• Teach: Carpet expectations, respectful listening

Introduce attention signals, share your name and fun facts, do a quick partner question

9:35–10:00 | Back-to-School BINGO (Icebreaker Game)

• Play a fun game that gets kids up and learning about one another
• Learn about my free Back-to-School BINGO icebreaker game HERE.
• Teach: Moving around the room safely

Sign up below to get this free icebreaker game emailed to you:

10:15–10:20 | School Tour

• Visit important spots: bathroom, nurse, office, lunchroom, specials rooms
• Teach: How to walk in the hallway, voice level 0, line basics

10:25–10:35 | Review Lunch Behavior & Expectations

• Explain what lunch will look like and how to clean up
• Teach: Lunch line rules, where to sit, how to raise hands for help

10:40–11:10 | Recess

• Unstructured time to get the wiggles out
• Teach: Safe play rules, lining up when time is called, how to use equipment

11:15–11:55 Collaborative Poster Activity

• Introduce your Teamwork Makes the Dream Work coloring poster
• Each student colors one piece, and it will become a class display
• Teach: How to share materials, teamwork expectations, clean-up routine

12:00–12:45 | Lunch

12:45–12:55 | Bathroom Break & Water

• Teach: Asking to use the bathroom, handwashing routines, hallway behavior

1:00–2:00 | Specials

• PE, Music, Art, or Library (based on your rotation)
• Prep: Remind students how to represent the class with other teachers

2:05–2:20 | Quiet Time

• Dim the lights, play soft music, and let students draw, read, or journal
• Teach: Independent work time behavior, using class library materials

2:25–2:40 | Go Over Classroom Jobs

• Introduce a few classroom jobs and their responsibilities
• Teach: How jobs are assigned, expectations for helping the class

2:55–3:15 | Read-Aloud

• Choose a story that is enjoyable and relates to the first day of school, like We Don’t Eat Our Classmates or The Day You Begin (see a list of Back to School read-alouds HERE).
• Teach: Active listening, how to walk and sit on the carpet, raising hands to share

3:20–3:25 | Pack-Up & Teach Routine

• Walk through exactly how to clean up, organize materials, and get ready to go
• Teach: End-of-day checklist, backpack routine, checking the floor/cubby

3:30–3:35 | Closing Circle

• End with a simple reflection prompt or class compliment
• Teach: How to take turns, share respectfully, what to expect tomorrow

3:40 | Dismissal

Teach: Dismissal routine—bus vs. walker, line-up spots, staying safe in the hallway

Back-to-School Resources for the 1st Day of 3rd Grade Lesson Plan

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work Collaborative Poster
A low-prep, calming activity that builds community from day one. Each student colors a piece to create a class display focused on teamwork.

Morning Meeting Slides for 3rd Grade
Easy-to-use slides that guide greetings, sharing, activities, and daily messages. A great way to build consistency and connection each morning.

These simple tools help you start the year with routines that work—without adding to your prep load.

Need a back-to-school FREE activity?

Like these back to school read alouds? Fill out your information below to snag a FREE back-to-school BINGO!

Final Thoughts

Your first day doesn’t need to be fancy to be effective. A calm tone, a predictable flow, and a few well-timed routines go a long way. By the end of the day, your students will know how your classroom works, feel safe in their new environment, and (hopefully) be excited to come back tomorrow.

Tools like Morning Meeting Slides and collaborative coloring posters make the day smoother and more meaningful without adding to your prep load. They help kids feel connected—something that matters far more than content on Day One.