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My Back-to-School Snapshot

Anabella Macia-Limnio

Tier 2
For Schools

Warm Up

Color My Feelings Warm-Up

Welcome back to school, everyone! To get us started, I want you to think about how you feel about coming back to school today. Are you excited, a little nervous, happy, or something else?

On your paper, you'll see a small image. I want you to choose a color that represents how you feel right now and color in that image. You don't need to share your feelings out loud, but just take a moment to think about it.




Instructions:

  1. Think about how you feel about starting school.
  2. Choose a crayon or colored pencil that matches that feeling.
  3. Color the image below.

![Happy Face Outline] (This would be a placeholder for an image to color, e.g., a simple outline of a happy/neutral face or a star to color in.)

lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

My Back-to-School Snapshot

Students will be able to introduce themselves, describe items in their backpack, state their favorite school subject, and articulate a personal goal for the academic year through a creative coloring activity.

This lesson helps create a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment by encouraging students to share personal details, fostering connections with peers, and setting positive intentions for the year ahead.

Audience

Elementary School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and creative coloring.

Materials

Coloring Pages (for Color My Feelings Warm-Up and My Back-to-School Coloring Fun!), My Back-to-School Slide Deck, Teacher Script: My Back-to-School Snapshot, Guess My Favorite (School Edition), and Cool Down: One Word, One Goal

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Review all generated materials: My Back-to-School Lesson Plan, My Back-to-School Slide Deck, Teacher Script: My Back-to-School Snapshot, Guess My Favorite (School Edition), Color My Feelings Warm-Up, Cool Down: One Word, One Goal, and My Back-to-School Coloring Fun!.
  • Print copies of the coloring pages for Color My Feelings Warm-Up and My Back-to-School Coloring Fun!.
  • Ensure crayons or colored pencils are available for students.
  • Prepare the projector/screen for the My Back-to-School Slide Deck.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Color My Feelings

5 minutes

  • Distribute the "Color My Feelings" coloring page.
  • Instruct students to color the image based on how they feel about starting school. (Refer to Color My Feelings Warm-Up)
  • Briefly discuss, inviting only volunteers to share their chosen color and why, if they wish. (See Teacher Script: My Back-to-School Snapshot)

Step 2

Introduction & Slide Deck Presentation

3 minutes

  • Use the My Back-to-School Slide Deck to guide the introduction.
  • Introduce the lesson theme: getting to know each other through a fun coloring activity.
  • Explain the importance of sharing and listening.
  • Follow the Teacher Script: My Back-to-School Snapshot for prompts and discussion points.

Step 3

Activity: My Back-to-School Coloring Snapshot

15 minutes

  • Distribute the My Back-to-School Coloring Fun!.
  • Guide students through the instructions on the coloring page: drawing themselves, a special backpack item, their favorite subject, and a goal for the year.
  • Encourage creativity and provide assistance as needed. (See Teacher Script: My Back-to-School Snapshot)
  • After coloring, have students share their coloring page with a partner or small group, explaining their choices. Optionally, invite a few volunteers to share with the whole class.

Step 4

Game: Guess My Favorite (School Edition)

5 minutes

  • Play Guess My Favorite (School Edition) as a quick, fun way to learn about classmates' preferences.
  • Explain the rules and model an example. (See Teacher Script: My Back-to-School Snapshot)

Step 5

Cool Down: One Word, One Goal

2 minutes

  • Conclude the lesson with the Cool Down: One Word, One Goal.
  • Ask students to think of one word that describes how they feel after the lesson or one word related to their goal.
  • Have them share it with a partner or briefly with the class. (See Teacher Script: My Back-to-School Snapshot)
lenny

Slide Deck

Welcome Back! 👋

Let's kick off the new school year by getting to know each other!

My Back-to-School Snapshot

What are you excited to share?

Welcome students back and set a positive tone. Explain that this lesson is about getting to know each other and making everyone feel comfortable. Introduce the fun title of the lesson.

My Back-to-School Snapshot!

It's time to create your own special Back-to-School Snapshot!

Use your coloring page to share:

  • Something about YOU!
  • What's in your backpack?
  • Your favorite subject!
  • Your goals for the year!

Let's get creative and share our stories!

Transition from the warm-up to the main sharing activity. Explain that the coloring page is where they will share about themselves, their backpack, favorite subject, and goals. Encourage students to be good listeners as their classmates share.

Ready for an Amazing Year!

We've learned so much about each other today!

I'm so excited for a fantastic school year with all of you.

Let's make it the best one yet!

Conclude with a positive message about the year ahead and looking forward to learning together.

lenny

Script

Teacher Script: My Back-to-School Snapshot

Warm-Up: Color My Feelings (5 minutes)

"Good morning, everyone, or good afternoon! Welcome back to school! I am so excited to see all of your bright faces. To get us started today, we're going to do a quick warm-up called 'Color My Feelings.'"

"On your desk, you should have a small coloring page. (Point to or hold up an example of the Color My Feelings Warm-Up coloring page.) I want you to take a moment to think about how you are feeling right now about coming back to school. Are you super excited, a little bit sleepy, maybe a little nervous, or happy to see your friends?"

"Choose a color that matches that feeling inside you. Then, gently color in the small picture on your page with that color. You don't have to share your feelings out loud if you don't want to, this is just for you to think about how you're feeling. I'll give you about two minutes for this."

Pause for students to color.

"Okay, artists! If you'd like to, you can hold up your coloring page. Wow, I see so many different colors! Would anyone like to share which color they chose and why? It's completely optional."

Call on 1-2 volunteers if time permits and thank them.

"Thank you for sharing! It's perfectly normal to have all sorts of feelings when starting something new, and I'm glad you took a moment to think about yours."

Introduction & Slide Deck Presentation (3 minutes)

"Now that we're all warmed up, let's officially kick off our lesson today, which I've called 'My Back-to-School Snapshot'! (Display Slide 1: Welcome Back! 👋 of the slide deck.)"

"Today, our goal is to get to know each other a little better. We'll be creating a special 'Back-to-School Snapshot' coloring page where you can share some fun facts about yourselves, what's in your backpacks, your favorite subjects, and even some exciting goals you have for the year! Why is this important? Because when we know each other, we feel more comfortable, we can help each other, and we can build a strong, friendly classroom community together."

"So, get ready to listen with your ears and share with your voice!" (Display Slide 2: All About Me! of the slide deck.)

Activity: My Back-to-School Coloring Snapshot (15 minutes)

"Alright, it's time to get creative with our 'Back-to-School Snapshot' coloring page! (Distribute the My Back-to-School Coloring Fun! and display the relevant slide if available.)"

"On this special page, you'll get to show us a lot about you! First, in the student outline, draw a picture of yourself. Around you, you can draw or write things that make you, YOU – like your hobbies, a favorite animal, or what makes you smile."

"Next, look at the backpack outline. Decorate it, and inside, draw ONE special item you carry that tells a story about you or something you love for school. On the outside, you can draw other school supplies."

"Then, find the books. On one of them, write your favorite subject – is it Math, Reading, Art, P.E., or something else? Color it in!"

"And finally, in the thought bubble, draw a picture of one exciting goal you have for this school year! Maybe it's learning to read a big book, making new friends, or getting really good at a new skill."

"Take about 10-12 minutes to draw and color your snapshot. I'll be walking around to see your amazing work!"

Pause for students to color and draw.

"Wow, these are looking fantastic! Now, I want you to turn to a partner, or if you're in a group, share with your small group. Show them your 'Back-to-School Snapshot' and tell them about the things you drew and wrote. What did you choose for your backpack item? What's your goal? Take about 3 minutes for this."

Facilitate partner/group sharing. After, invite a few volunteers to share with the whole class if time allows.

"Thank you for sharing your amazing snapshots and stories! It's wonderful to see all your unique personalities and hopes for the year."

Game: Guess My Favorite (School Edition) (5 minutes)

"Now for a quick and fun game! It's called 'Guess My Favorite (School Edition).' (Refer to Guess My Favorite (School Edition).)"

"Here's how it works: Each of you will secretly think of one school-related favorite thing. For example, your favorite school subject, or your favorite color for school supplies, or your favorite book to read in class. Keep it a secret for now!"

"When it's your turn, you can give one small clue about your favorite thing, or you can just say, 'Guess my favorite!' Then, your classmates will try to guess what it is by raising their hands. Once someone guesses correctly, or after a few tries, you'll tell us what your favorite was! The person who guessed correctly can then share their favorite."

Facilitate the game for a few rounds.

"That was so much fun! It's great to learn even more about what you all like!"

Cool Down: One Word, One Goal (2 minutes)

"We're almost at the end of our 'Back-to-School Snapshot' lesson. (Display Slide 7: Ready for an Amazing Year! of the slide deck.) To wrap up, I want you to think about everything we've talked about today – getting to know each other, your goals, your favorite subjects, and your cool drawings."

"Can you think of one word that describes how you feel right now after our lesson, or one word that represents your biggest hope or goal for this school year?"

"Once you have your word, I want you to turn to your neighbor and share your word with them. Or, if you prefer, just think about it quietly. We'll share a few words as a whole class if we have time."

Pause for reflection and sharing.

"Thank you, everyone, for an amazing start to the school year! I feel like I know so much more about you already, and I'm really looking forward to a wonderful year together!"

lenny
lenny

Cool Down

Cool Down: One Word, One Goal

Objective: To reflect on the lesson and personal hopes for the school year.

Instructions:

  1. Reflect: Think about all the things we shared and talked about today. What stood out to you? What are you most excited about for school this year?

  2. Choose One Word:

    • Can you think of one word that describes how you feel right now after our lesson?
    • OR, can you think of one word that represents a goal or hope you have for this school year?

    Examples: Excited, Happy, Learn, Friends, Grow, Kind, Smart, Fun

  3. Share (Optional): Turn to a partner and share your one word with them, and if you want, tell them why you chose it.




My Word: _________________________












lenny
lenny

Game

Guess My Favorite (School Edition)

Objective: To learn more about classmates' preferences in a fun, interactive way.

Instructions:

  1. Think of a school-related favorite. Each student will secretly think of one school-related favorite thing. This could be:

    • Favorite school subject (e.g., Art, Math, P.E.)
    • Favorite color for school supplies (e.g., blue pencil, red folder)
    • Favorite book genre to read at school
    • Favorite lunch item in the cafeteria
    • Favorite type of playground game

  2. Give a clue (optional). When it's your turn, you can choose to give one small clue about your favorite thing, or simply say "Guess my favorite!"

  3. Classmates guess! The rest of the class will raise their hands and try to guess what your favorite thing is.

  4. Reveal! Once someone guesses correctly, or after a few guesses, reveal your favorite! The person who guessed correctly can go next.

Let's Play!

Remember to listen to the clues and be creative with your guesses!













lenny
lenny

Game

Guess My Favorite (School Edition)

Objective: To learn more about classmates' preferences in a fun, interactive way.

Instructions:

  1. Think of a school-related favorite. Each student will secretly think of one school-related favorite thing. This could be:

    • Favorite school subject (e.g., Art, Math, P.E.)
    • Favorite color for school supplies (e.g., blue pencil, red folder)
    • Favorite book genre to read at school
    • Favorite lunch item in the cafeteria
    • Favorite type of playground game

  2. Give a clue (optional). When it's your turn, you can choose to give one small clue about your favorite thing, or simply say

lenny
lenny

Game

Guess My Favorite (School Edition)

Objective: To learn more about classmates' preferences in a fun, interactive way.

Instructions:

  1. Think of a school-related favorite. Each student will secretly think of one school-related favorite thing. This could be:

    • Favorite school subject (e.g., Art, Math, P.E.)
    • Favorite color for school supplies (e.g., blue pencil, red folder)
    • Favorite book genre to read at school
    • Favorite lunch item in the cafeteria
    • Favorite type of playground game

  2. Give a clue (optional). When it's your turn, you can choose to give one small clue about your favorite thing, or simply say

lenny
lenny

Game

Guess My Favorite (School Edition)

Objective: To learn more about classmates' preferences in a fun, interactive way.

Instructions:

  1. Think of a school-related favorite. Each student will secretly think of one
lenny
lenny

Worksheet

My Back-to-School Snapshot & Coloring Fun!

Name: _________________________

Welcome back to school! This page is all about YOU and your excitement for the new school year. Let's create your Back-to-School Snapshot!

Instructions:

  1. All About Me! Draw a picture of yourself in the student outline. Around you, draw or write things that make you, YOU! (e.g., your hobbies, a favorite animal, what makes you smile).

  2. My Super Backpack! Decorate the backpack outline. Inside, draw ONE special item you carry that tells a story about you or something you love for school. Outside, you can draw patterns or other school supplies.

  3. My Favorite Subject! On one of the books, write your favorite subject (like Math, Reading, Art, P.E., etc.) and color it in.

  4. My Goals This Year! In the thought bubble, draw a picture of one exciting goal you have for this school year (e.g., learning to read a chapter book, making new friends, getting good at a new skill).

  5. Add all the colors! Use your imagination to color the rest of the page and make it uniquely yours!


    ![Back to School Coloring Page Placeholder] (Imagine an outline drawing here of a student, a backpack, some books, and a thought bubble, all ready for coloring.)













lenny
lenny