Lesson Plan
First Impressions Lesson Plan
Students will engage in one-on-one interviews with the teacher to share their names, interests, and academic and personal goals, building classroom community and modeling respectful dialogue.
This icebreaker fosters trust and connection, helps the teacher learn each 5th grader’s interests and aspirations, and sets a supportive tone for the year.
Audience
5th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
One-on-one guided interviews with reflective prompts.
Materials
- Student Reflection Prompt Cards, - Goal-Setting Worksheet, - Name Tents or Name Plates, and - Colored Pens or Markers
Prep
Gather & Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print and cut the Student Reflection Prompt Cards.
- Make copies of the Goal-Setting Worksheet.
- Place Name Tents or Name Plates and markers at each student seat.
- Review prompts and plan follow-up questions.
Step 1
Welcome & Purpose
5 minutes
- Greet the class and invite attention.
- Explain: “Today we’ll have short chats so I can learn about your interests and goals.”
- Demonstrate a sample Name Tent and model one prompt answer.
Step 2
One-on-One Interviews
20 minutes
- Invite students, one at a time, to the front table.
- Hand each student a Student Reflection Prompt Card.
- Read the question together (e.g., “What was your favorite summer project?”).
- Model your own response and then ask the student to share.
- Use follow-up questions: “Tell me more about that,” “Why did that interest you?”
- After each chat, have the student record one goal on the Goal-Setting Worksheet.
Step 3
Wrap-Up & Share
5 minutes
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one highlight or goal with the class.
- Collect worksheets for review and future check-ins.
- Remind students to display their Name Tents on desks all week.
- Close: “Thank you for sharing—I’m excited to learn with you this year!”
Slide Deck
First Impressions
A Back-to-School Icebreaker for 5th Grade
• 30-Minute One-on-One Interviews
• Build Community • Set Goals
Welcome everyone! This slide introduces our icebreaker for 5th grade. Use it to set an enthusiastic tone and explain why you’re excited to learn about each student.
Objectives & Benefits
Objective:
• Engage each student in one-on-one chats to share name, interests, and goals
Benefits:
• Students feel seen and valued
• Builds trust and classroom community
• Models respectful listening and turn-taking
Highlight the objective and benefits. Emphasize how this activity helps students feel heard and valued while modeling respectful dialogue.
Materials
• Student Reflection Prompt Cards
• Goal-Setting Worksheet
• Name Tents or Name Plates
• Colored Pens or Markers
Point out each resource. Show examples of the Student Reflection Prompt Cards and the Goal-Setting Worksheet.
Preparation (10 min)
• Print & cut the Student Reflection Prompt Cards
• Make copies of the Goal-Setting Worksheet
• Place Name Tents/Name Plates and pens at each seat
• Review prompts and plan follow-up questions
Walk through your 10-minute setup. Emphasize printing, copying, arranging name tents, and previewing questions.
Step 1: Welcome & Purpose (5 min)
• Greet the class and explain the icebreaker
• Demonstrate a sample Name Tent
• Model answering one reflection prompt
Explain the purpose and model the flow. Demonstrate filling out a Name Tent and answering one prompt yourself.
Step 2: One-on-One Interviews (20 min)
• Invite students, one at a time, to the chat table
• Hand over a Student Reflection Prompt Card
• Read the question together, model your answer, then let the student respond
• Use follow-up prompts: “Tell me more,” “Why did that interest you?”
Guide each student through the interviews. Keep chats brief, positive, and focused on interests and goals.
Step 3: Wrap-Up & Share (5 min)
• Invite 2–3 volunteers to share a highlight or goal
• Collect completed Goal-Setting Worksheets
• Remind students to display Name Tents all week
• Close: “Thank you for sharing—I’m excited to learn with you!”
Bring everyone back together. Share a few highlights, collect goal sheets, and reinforce the community tone.
Ready to Learn with Your Class?
Let’s kick off the year by building connections and setting meaningful goals together!
Encourage yourself and colleagues to begin right away. Remember, each chat helps you connect with students individually.
Worksheet
Student Conversation Prompt Cards
Use these cards during your one-on-one chat to help each student share about themselves. Print and cut along the lines to create individual cards.
- What is your name?
- How are you feeling today?
- What is your favorite color?
- What is your favorite animal?
- What is your favorite food?
- What do you like to play?
- Tell me something that makes you happy.
- What do you want to learn this year?
Reading
Feelings Chart Poster
Use these faces to show how you’re feeling today. Point to the face that matches your feeling!
😀 Happy
😢 Sad
😠 Angry
😲 Surprised
😨 Scared
😍 Excited
Script
Hello, Friend! Script
Step 1: Welcome & Introduction (5 min)
Teacher: “Hi, [Student Name]! I’m so happy you’re here today. Come sit right here with me on our special spot.”
Teacher: “Look at our Feelings Chart Poster. These faces help us share how we feel. Which face shows the way you feel right now?”
(Pause and let the student point.)
Teacher: “Great choice! Today, I have some fun questions just for you. Are you ready to share?”
Step 2: One-on-One Chat (20 min)
- Teacher: “Here are some Student Conversation Prompt Cards. Please pick one card and read it or show it to me.”
(Wait as student selects.)
Teacher: “Your card asks, ‘What is your favorite ____?’ You go first. I can’t wait to hear your answer!” - After the student answers, Teacher: “Thank you for sharing! My turn now: I like ____ because ____.”
- Teacher: “Tell me more about that!” or “How does that make you feel?”
(Use one or both follow-up prompts to deepen the chat.) - Teacher: “Now you pick another card!”
(Repeat question → student answer → teacher model → follow-up until time allows.)
Possible Follow-Up Prompts:
- “Wow, that’s interesting—why?”
- “What else do you like about that?”
- “That must feel _____; tell me more.”
Step 3: Wrap-Up & Transition (5 min)
Teacher: “Thank you for telling me all about yourself, [Student Name]!”
Teacher: “I loved learning that your favorite color is blue—blue is one of my favorites, too!”
Teacher: “Here’s a name tag with your name. Let’s stick it on so everyone knows who you are.”
Teacher: “Okay, let’s go join our friends now. Follow me, please!”
(Guide student back to group area.)
Worksheet
Student Reflection Prompt Cards
Use these cards during your one-on-one chat to help each 5th grader share their thoughts and goals. Print and cut along the lines to create individual cards.
-
What was your favorite memory from last school year, and why was it special?
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What is one strength or talent you bring to our classroom community?
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Which subject or skill do you want to improve the most this year, and what will you do to get better?
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Describe a goal you have for your reading or writing. How will you know when you’ve achieved it?
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Tell me about something you’re proud of accomplishing recently. What did you learn from that experience?
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How do you like to spend your free time outside of school? Why is that activity meaningful to you?
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What makes you excited to come to school and learn each day?
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What is one question you have for me as your teacher or about this school year?
Worksheet
Goal-Setting Worksheet
Name: ____________________________ Date: _______________
My Academic Goal
What is one academic goal you have for this year?
I want to: _____________________________________________________
Why This Goal Matters to Me
Explain why this goal is important.
Steps I’ll Take to Reach My Academic Goal
List at least three actions you will do.
My Personal Goal
What is one personal or social goal you have (friendships, habits, etc.)?
I want to: _____________________________________________________
How I’ll Know I’ve Succeeded
Describe what success looks like and how you’ll celebrate.