By Trilby
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably stood at your classroom door on Day One, clipboard in hand, scanning a sea of unfamiliar faces and wondering, “How on earth am I going to learn all these names and get through attendance, materials, and rules before the bell rings?” The first day of science class is a whirlwind of running around… Organizing materials, leading ice breakers, answering dozens of questions. It can leave you breathless before your lesson even begins. But what if there was a first day of science activity could tackle both problems – help you learn names quickly and give you meaningful insight into each learner – without adding more prep or chaos?
Enter: Science Name Tents
A few years ago I decided needed a first day activity low-pressure, hands-on, and informative…that students could do independently while I handled the usual first-day whirlwind.
So I created Science Name Tents, and they’ve been a total game-changer.
Why Name Tents Win on Day One
- Instant name practice: By having students leave their tents on their desks each lesson, you get continuous, hands-on name cues until you’ve confidently learned every student’s name.
- Built-in interest survey: Icons let students share whether they geek out over fossils, circuits, or the next big space mission.
- Quiet creativity: While they color and decorate, you can take attendance, sort materials, and catch your breath.
- Low-prep for you: Print and hand out. No extra prep needed.
What Goes on a Science Name Tent
Each student folds a cardstock tent and fills in:
- Their name (so you can match face to name instantly)
- Science icons for topics or tools they’re most curious about
- Yearly goals (“I want to ace Science class!”)
- Something they’re excited about this school year
- An emoji that sums up how they feel about science
There’s extra white space to doodle, perfect for early finishers to add further customization. By the end of class, you’ve got a quick read on their science interests, motivation levels, and a tool to help you learn their names quickly!
How I Run It in My Classroom
- As students arrive, they grab a tent and start filling it out.
- While they work, I’m free to:
- Greet each student by name
- Hand out safety goggles and lab notebooks
- Answer quick questions and redirect energy
- Quick Pair-Share: After 10 minutes, students turn to a neighbor and share one icon or goal.
- Ongoing use: Name tents stay on desks as long as I need them to. At the end of each class, students slip them into their notebooks so they’re ready for the next period.
A Simple, Thoughtful First Day
If you’re looking for a first day of science class activity that goes beyond icebreakers and actually helps you learn more about your students, science name tents are a great place to start.
They’re creative, easy to use, and give you useful information about your students right from the start. Plus, they make your classroom feel welcoming and student-centered from day one.
You can grab my science name tent resource on TPT – just print and go. It’s the perfect mix of structure and creativity to kick off your science year.
Here’s to a first day that feels intentional, fun, and totally doable.
