By Trilby
There’s nothing quite like the first week of school in the science classroom: fresh notebooks, clean lab tables, and curious (and slightly nervous) new students. Whether it’s your first year teaching or your fifteenth, starting strong makes all the difference.
Over the years, I’ve created a handful of beginning of year science activities that help me build classroom routines, get to know my students, and kick off the year with a clear sense of purpose and a little fun too.
If you’re wondering what to do that first week of science class, here are the go-to activities that have become staples in my classroom.
Short on time? Click here to grab a copy of my done-for-you activities.
✅ Name Tents That Go Beyond Just Names
I love starting the year with name tents, but I always add a science spin. Around their name, students color in science icons that relate to their interests. On the back, students answer a few quick prompts:
- Draw a face that represents how you feel about science class.
- What are some goals you have for the year?
- What’s something you’re looking forward to this year.
These help me learn names and get to know my students as people and learners. I have students store them inside their class notebooks at the end of the period, so we can continue to use them until I get their names down.
✅ Go Over the Science Syllabus (Without Putting Everyone to Sleep)
Yes, we still have to cover the syllabus, but that doesn’t mean reading it out loud while everyone zones out. Instead, I use a Syllabus Bingo game that gets students collaborating, reading, and actively finding key info on their own.
Students race to find things like:
- What’s the late work policy?
- How much are labs worth?
- What’s your teacher’s email address?
It’s a simple twist that turns a boring requirement into something interactive. Plus, they start collaborating and getting to know each other while they work.
✅ Set Clear Expectations (Especially for a Hands-On Science Classroom)
Science class comes with its own unique routines and risks, especially when labs are involved. That’s why I spend time during the first week teaching 5 simple classroom expectations in a way that sticks.
Students engage with our classroom rules and science safety through:
- A Reading
- Class discussion
- A card sort
- Color-by-number activities
- A quiz
If they pass the quiz at the end, they earn a special badge that shows they are ready to work in the lab.
✅ Set Up Science Notebooks the Right Way
One of the most important beginning of year science activities in my room is getting our notebooks ready. I use composition notebooks for just about everything, so we set them up early with a table of contents, page numbers, and a spot for vocabulary.
We also decorate the covers (because yes, even middle schoolers love this) and add colorful washi tape to the spine to help keep them organized. Each period has a different color making it easy to keep them organized by class and locate missing notebooks.
Setting this up early saves so much time later on.
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✅ Ask the Big Question: What Is Science?
Before diving into content, I like to start with a big-picture activity that gets students out of their seats and thinking about what science really is. I set up a scavenger hunt around the room with cards that answer key questions like:
- What is science?
- How do scientists ask and investigate questions?
- What kinds of tools and skills do scientists use?
Students work in pairs or small groups to move from card to card, searching for answers to a corresponding worksheet or question list. This low-prep activity gets students thinking, talking, and actively engaging with the foundations of scientific thinking, while helping them see science as more than just a class they’re required to take. It’s a way of observing, questioning, and making sense of the world.
Your First Week, Simplified
If you’re staring at your calendar wondering how to kick off the year, I hope these ideas help you feel a little more prepared. These beginning of year science activities help me lay the foundation for a classroom that’s curious, collaborative, and ready for hands-on learning.
You don’t have to do everything all at once. Starting with clear routines, student-centered activities, and a little science magic can go a long way.
Want ready-to-use versions of the activities I mentioned? I’ve got a bundle of done-for-you first week of science resources. You’ll get name tents, syllabus templates, syllabus bingo, notebook covers, classroom rule activities, and two “What is Science?” resources, so that you can start strong with less prep.
Here’s to a smooth, successful start to your science year!
