Back to School Ideas That Don’t Suck: Engaging Strategies for Middle School Teachers

As the summer winds down, the back-to-school season looms large. For middle school teachers, the challenge is to reignite students’ interest in learning while creating a classroom environment that feels fresh and exciting. We all know that the typical icebreakers and get-to-know-you activities can feel a little stale, so let’s explore some ideas that won’t just survive the first week back, they’ll thrive. Here are some creative, effective, and - most importantly - not-boring ways to kick off the school year with your middle schoolers.

1. The Classroom Redesign Challenge

• Instead of walking into a fully set-up classroom, invite your students to help design the space. Give them the freedom to arrange desks, create bulletin boards, or even choose themes for different corners of the room. This activity not only helps students feel a sense of ownership but also serves as a great team-building exercise. Plus, you won’t have to spend your time in the summer planning and decorating your classroom.

2. Passion Projects

• Start the year by giving students the chance to work on a passion project. Whether it’s coding a simple game, researching a favourite topic, or creating art, letting students dive into something they’re excited about can set a positive tone for the year. Dedicate the first few days to brainstorming, planning, and setting goals for these projects. It’s a fantastic way to tap into their interests and show that you value their creativity and individuality.

3. Themed Learning Stations

• Rather than jumping straight into content, create themed learning stations that introduce key skills and concepts in a fun, low-pressure way. For example, you could set up stations around the room where students engage in puzzles, collaborative challenges, or creative tasks that relate to what they’ll be learning. This hands-on approach can help ease students back into school mode while previewing the exciting topics ahead. 

Check out these math stations for inspiration:

• Whole number place value
• Decimal place value
• Single outcome probability

4. Book Tasting

• Transform your classroom into a café for a "book tasting" event. Set up tables with different genres or themes, complete with menus describing the books. Allow students to sample different books and write down their “orders” for what they’d like to read. This activity is a great way to get students excited about reading and to introduce them to new genres.

Please click here for a more detailed description of how to set up a book tasting in your classroom.

5. Escape the Classroom

• Instead of trying to keep students inside the classroom, why not take them out? Plan an outdoor activity, a scavenger hunt around the school grounds, or even a mini field trip. This change of scenery can help break the ice and energize your students. Plus, you can tie the activity to what they’ll be learning, making it both fun and educational.

6. Class Playlist Creation

• Music can be a powerful tool for setting the tone in your classroom. Spend some time with your students creating a class playlist that can be used during independent work time or as a reward. Have each student contribute a favorite (school-appropriate!) song and use it as a way to celebrate the diversity of your classroom. This playlist can also be a mood booster during challenging times.

These strategies are designed to help you kick off the year with energy, creativity, and a focus on student engagement. So what do you think? Will any of these work in your classroom? Let me know in the comments below.