Meet the Teacher, Open House, Back to School Bash… whatever you call it, it’s the event before school starts where you get to meet your new students. It can be nerve-wracking for everyone involved. Students are nervous about meeting their new teacher, parents might be eager to transition their child from summer and hope for a wonderful year ahead, and teachers have their minds racing with a never-ending to-do list while also feeling excited to greet their new students!
From a teacher’s perspective, I always wanted to make a great first impression on my new families and assure them that their child would be in good hands. So, how do I achieve that? I’m no expert, but it all starts with organization and planning.
How I Organize Meet the Teacher / Back to School Bash / Open House
During Meet the Teacher, I set up stations or ‘check points’ for families to explore throughout the classroom. They use a check list or the fun term- scavenger hunt- to help keep them on track and each checkpoint or station is numbered to help the families find them.
As families navigate these checkpoints, I move around the room, popping in and out of conversations to answer questions and introducing myself. This approach allows for a more personal and interactive experience, making it easier for families to feel comfortable and informed.
Station 1: Sign In
Families sign in and say Hi. They write their phone numbers, email address, and I include a second clipboard for volunteer interests.
Station 2: Find Your Seat
Students and families look for their child’s seat which has a name tag.
Station 3: Paperwork + Book Shopping
Parents fill out any paperwork that needs to be turned in that day, such as how their child goes home.
Fill Out Now / Take Home
I put two stacks of paperwork on students’ desks. One stack is for paperwork that needs to be turned in that day, like the transportation form. The other stack is for paperwork that can go home, such as my “About Me” page, a questionnaire, and information about class, grade level, and school policies.
Book Shopping
While families fill out the paperwork, their child can go book shopping, which means they visit the class library and select a book to keep on their desk. I LOVE this step because I enjoy talking to the students as they book shop, learning about their favorite books and their views on reading. It always makes me smile when everyone leaves and I see the books the students have selected on their desks.
Station 4: How You Go Home Graph
Some years, I put the transportation paperwork on students’ desks; other years, I put it at this station. But I always include this station because it is SUPER simple. I use a large piece of chart paper labeled “How Do We Go Home on the First Day?” and include the possible options at the bottom. Students write on a sticky note, add their name, and place it in the correct column to create a bar graph.
I love this tie-in to math, but more importantly, it ensures that students get home safely on the first day. This big visual display of how each child goes home is reviewed on the first day of school as well.
Station 5: Homework- Scrapbook Page
I give homework RIGHT AWAY! Let me explain.
I have a binder on my small group table with a cover that says “All About Mrs. Cottone’s Class.” Inside is an 8 x 11 paper decorated with pictures and facts all about ME! Students have always loved looking at that page and learning more about me. Then, students grab a sheet protector with a blank white piece of paper inside. I give simple directions for them to decorate it however they wish and return it during the first week of school.
I often have students return it on the first day of school. Sometimes we have time for them to share it right away, while other times we wait until the second day. Each morning during our morning meeting, 2-4 students share their pages so we can learn more about them. After they share, their pages go into our binder, which is available for students to browse.
This is one of my favorite Meet the Teacher traditions that carries into the first week of school!
Station 6: Class Wish List
I write what else we need on sticky notes, which parents can take. These usually include items like tissues, ziplock bags, hand sanitizer, etc. I have also seen teachers put their Amazon List on a QR code for families to scan—great idea!
Station 7: Smile for a photo!
Parents LOVE a photo moment and want to take pictures at Meet the Teacher but sometimes forget or are distracted so a photo checkpoint ensures parents get a photo!
This station is always a hit with families!
Station 8: Meet the Teacher Gift and Say ‘See you soon!’
Some years, I leave student gifts on their desks, but if I have the space, I prefer to set them out on a table or shelf near the door that families will exit from. I think it’s a nice touch for them to receive as they leave.
I’ve found that giving the gifts towards the beginning of the event can be a distraction so waiting until the end keeps everyone more focused.
I have several Meet the Teacher Tags in my TPT Store found here. This one I have used the most since sticky hands are easy to purchase in bulk for a great price.
Read about other Meet the Teacher Student Gift Tags here:
Other Station Ideas
- Sorting School Supplies
- Student Work Showcase Station- I have hung up advice from my previous year’s class which is fun for my former students to see when they come to visit and it is engaging for my new families too!
- Student Information Station- A station dedicated to important paperwork
- Meet the Teacher Station- If you have pictures set up in your classroom, like behind your desk, this is fun for families to go and browse. You can even have a 3 question true or false game to go with it where students can guess based on the photos they see. Then it is a fun ice-breaker when you go over their results.
Final Thoughts
That is how I set up Meet the Teacher. I try to keep it easy, casual, and organized to leave a great first impression. However, I always remember that families won’t remember your room or the student gifts; they will remember how you made them and their child feel. Were you kind, welcoming, and friendly? That is all they could ask for—a sense of peace knowing their child is in good hands.
Printable EDITABLE Stations
If you want a set of EDITABLE Meet the Teacher station signs (8 x 11 sized and Ikea Tolsby size) plus everything you’d need like forms, printables, photo props, and student gift tags . You can easily print and go to use mine or type in your own directions for families, click the button below to learn more.
If you want to remember these stations, feel free to pin this image on Pinterest:
