The start of the school year is kind of like the opening scene of a movie. It sets the vibe for everything that follows. But who says it has to be all rules and awkward name games?
What if we kicked things off with curiosity, creativity, and student voice instead?
Here are five fun activity ideas you can use in person, on itslearning, or both. Some work great as quick icebreakers, while others can be expanded into full lesson plans or even larger workshops. They’re designed to get students thinking, reflecting, and genuinely excited about what’s coming next.
Bonus? Some of these activities can also give you a window into what your students need, expect, or wish for right from the start.
(Student Reflection + Goal Setting)
Kick off the year by helping students define what kind of learner they want to be. Ask them to reflect on questions like:
“I learn best when…”
“This year, I want to improve…”
“When I’m stuck, I will…”
They can write, draw, or record their learning manifesto. It can be a physical poster, a digital form, or a survey on the itslearning platform. This helps you understand their mindset and learning needs, while giving them a chance to build metacognitive skills from the start.
We’ve created a ready-to-use My Manifesto Check-In Survey that you can easily add to your course in itslearning. If your school or administration has enabled the itslearning library, you can simply search for “My Manifesto” and add it directly to your course. You can use the survey as is or customize it to better fit your students’ needs.
If you’re not sure how to add a resource to your course, or want to learn more, click here for a step-by-step guide.
(Collaborative Rule-Making)
Rather than handing out a list of classroom rules, involve your students in co-creating a set of shared norms. Together, brainstorm how they want the learning space to feel, what behaviors will help everyone succeed, and what responsibilities everyone should share.
Turn their ideas into a collaborative poster or digital display. Refer back to it throughout the year to keep expectations clear and consistent.
(Critical Thinking + Media Literacy )
Build critical media literacy skills early. Present a mix of real and fake headlines or social media posts, and have students decide: Is it real, biased, satire, or fake? Teach them how to spot red flags like clickbait, emotional language, and missing sources.
Use this as a launch point for further discussion, or follow up in itslearning with a "Fact or Fake?" or "AI or Not AI?" quiz or a student-created fake headline. This activity is both fun and highly relevant.
(Tech Ethics + Digital Awareness)
Explore the idea that algorithms are not neutral. Try a few search queries like “CEO,” “nurse,” or “genius” and compare results from different platforms or even different regions. What trends do students notice? Who is represented, and who is not?
This is a great way to introduce ethical questions around AI and data. On itslearning, follow up with a reflection in a discussion board or a short written response.
(Creative Planning + Student Voice)
Let students imagine the ultimate project they would love to complete this year in your subject. It could be a podcast, an invention, a community initiative, or something unexpected.
They can even pitch it through a short video, poster, or text response in itslearning. Ask them to explain what the project is, why it matters, and what kind of tools or support they would need. This is a fun way to spark creativity and give you insight into their interests and goals.
Once all responses are collected, you can put the options up to a class vote, or narrow them down to your(teacher) top 10 and vote from there.
Looking for fun ways to break the ice with your new class? Our 5 Icebreakers to Kick Off the 2025 School Year article has you covered.