A selection of English ESL first day of school printables

answer questtions to poem the first day of school

First day of school

Instructions are found inside this ESL worksheet but in short it is a pair activity where one student supplies words in a gapped story according to the word class the instruction asks. Then the other students reads out the resulting silly story.

Mad Libs - First Day of School

This is a partner conversation activity. 








The front of this ESL worksheet is preparation for the conversation, the back is the conversation script (two scripts: A and B). 








Preparation





First, students consider 8 descriptions together as a class. 


The teacher will read the first description, ensure that everyone understands, then give 10 seconds for students to write an answer.


Students can put the first answer they can think of; crazy answers are okay! (but they should try not to discuss with each other)


Then move on to the next description as a class. 





When they have 8 answers, students copy those answers into the respective spaces in the script (1 -> 1, 2 -> 2, etc.)








Partner Conversation





Make pairs, A and B


Read the script and have a conversation on the first day of school


Change partners 1-2 times for variety in conversation








The language is simple so students can work on speaking with the speed and inflection of a fluent English speaker. Teachers should also discuss colloquial language like "yeah" and "cool" and stress that this is appropriate in conversation but not in writing (unless it's texting/ social media)








The descriptions in the preparation are catered to a Japanese class and include Japanese translations. You should edit according to your country / culture.

First Day of School - Mad Libs

Created by www.primaryleap.co.uk



A fun creative writing worksheet to get kids thinking! Kids imagine it is the first day of school and answer the 'what if' questions.



I am one of the content developers at primaryleap.co.uk. This resource can be used for home learning or in the classroom. I hope you find it useful.

First day of school - What if...?

Answer the questions after listening to the story. Select the picture that best fits the answer. Complete each question in the same manner. Make sure to check your answers. 

Spookley's First Day of School Comprehension

This worksheet is for the first days of school. Students can give some information about themselves and about their classmates. 

These activities can be adapted to the different levels of students making more difficult questions. It can also be used as games for students to guess some friends information they don´t know or to make a brief presentation about themselves to their friends or the other class students

First Days of School - Likes/Dislikes & Friends

starter activity for the first day of school to help you check the pupils level.

starter activity for the first day of school

This is a short reading about a girl who has her first day of school. It has 5 True/False statements and 10 Fill in the blanks. School vocabulary. Phonics: short A, B, and C. Also numbers 1, 2 and 20

My first day of School - Reading - True/False - Fill in blanks

The transition from carefree summer days to the structured routine of the classroom marks the all-important back to school season, a time filled with anticipation, excitement, and often, a touch of anxiety for young children and their parents alike. Whether your child is stepping into a school for the first time or returning as a seasoned student, the first day can feel like a monumental event. How can you transform those first-day jitters into joyful confidence?

Introducing "Ready, Set, School!: The Ultimate Back to School Guide with Fun First Day of School Activities." This enchanting and thoughtfully designed 32-page book is the definitive resource for families navigating this significant milestone. It serves as a gentle, empowering guide created specifically to demystify the school experience, build a positive mindset, and provide children with the tools they need to start the year with a beaming smile.

This book moves beyond simple stories and provides a practical, step-by-step journey through 30 encouraging directives. Each page is a mini-guide, presenting simple yet effective first day of school activities and routines that make the unknown feel familiar and safe. The narrative is crafted in accessible, child-friendly language that speaks directly to a young reader's heart, turning potential worries into exciting "I can do that!" moments. Paired with each directive is a unique and creative prompt for a warm, vibrant illustration, making this a visually stunning experience that captures a child's imagination.

Inside this comprehensive back to school guide, you and your child will explore:

The Excitement of Preparation: Discover how to turn the back to school checklist into a thrilling adventure. The book includes guidance on activities like packing the "adventure bag" (backpack), choosing a special first-day outfit to boost confidence, and establishing a healthy sleep routine for superhero energy.
Navigating the First Day Journey: From the emotional but happy goodbye hug at the door to the first brave steps onto the school bus, this guide provides a reassuring roadmap. It gently prepares children for meeting their new teacher and finding their own special spot in the classroom, turning the classroom into a welcoming home base.
Essential Social Skills & Fun Activities: A core focus of the book is fostering crucial social skills. It provides actionable advice and easy-to-understand scenarios for making new friends, the magic of sharing, the power of being a good listener, and why kindness is a superpower. These foundational lessons are some of the most important first day of school activities a child can learn.
Building a Lifelong Love for Learning: The book is designed to instill a love for learning from day one. It encourages curiosity, celebrates the courage to try new things, and normalizes making mistakes as a part of the learning process. It powerfully communicates that it's always okay to ask for help, building a foundation of resilience and academic confidence.
Understanding School Routines: Simple, illustrated guides explain common classroom procedures in a non-intimidating way. Children will learn about lining up, what to expect at lunchtime and recess, the fun of story time, and the importance of teamwork during clean-up time.
For parents and educators, this book is an invaluable asset for the back to school period. It serves as the perfect conversation starter, allowing you to discuss feelings, expectations, and strategies together. It provides a shared language and a positive framework to refer to, making the entire process smoother and more connected.

"Ready, Set, School!" is the ultimate companion to ensure your child feels seen, heard, and prepared. Prepare your child for a successful and joyful return to the classroom and make this back to school transition the best one yet. Give them the gift of confidence and start their academic year off right

The Ultimate Back to School Guide with Fun First Day of School Guide

This worksheet aimed to teach kids of A1 to A2 English level the names of days. This worksheet has matching English and Indonesian (my students' first language) words, understanding the day after and before, and filling in timetable based on a small passage,

Telling Days - Days of the Week

This will allow the learners to draw one activity they do when it is raining. After drawing call the learners individually and let them speak about their work.  The teacher has to discuss first the different activities done on a rainy day.

Me on a Rainy Day

WELCOME

Culture, intercultural communication, cross-cultural communication

Adjectives to describe feelings, emotions

Adjectives to describe personality and character

Adjectives: Gradable / Non-gradable adjectives

Articles: Definite or indefinite article (a, an or the)

BE + infinitive structures (e.g. he was to become famous)

Clauses of contrast (e.g.  although, while)

Clauses of purpose (e.g. in order to, so that, so as to)

Clauses of reason (e.g. because, because of, due to, as, since)

Cleft sentences (e.g. It's Joey we're looking for)

Comparison: Comparative adjectives and structures

Comparison: Superlative adjectives and structures

Conditional 2 (second conditional) - would

Conditionals: Conditional phrases (e.g. unless, provided that, as long as)

Conjunctions (aka connectives, e.g. and, but, or, so, then)

Contractions (shortened forms, e.g. don't, aren't, etc.)

Determiners (words that can come before nouns)

Formal and informal English (politeness or colloquial language)

Future perfect continuous (progressive) tense

Future perfect simple and continuous (progressive) tense

Future phrases (e.g. be about to, bound to, likely to, due to, set to + INF)

Homonyms (two words with the same pronunciation - homophones and homographs)

It as preparatory subject (e.g. it's raining, it's nice of you to)

Linking verbs (aka copulas, e.g. I am a student)

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Nouns: Collective nouns (team, class, family, committee)

Nouns: Proper nouns (names of people, cities, companies)

Oxymorons (phrases with words of contradictory meaning, e.g. living dead)

Participles: Past participle (e.g. HAVING DONE)

Participles: Present participle (e.g. DOING)

Parts of Speech (aka word classes, e.g. nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs)

Past perfect continuous (progressive) tense

Phonetics (pronunciation, IPA, phonetic symbols)

Plural nouns: regular plurals with S ending

Prefixes (e.g. A, UN, IM, DIS, MIS, EN, etc. )

Prepositions vs adverbs (e.g. before me, saw him before.)

Prepositions: Double prepositions (e.g. out of)

Prepositions: Participle prepositions (e.g. pending, concerning)

Prepositions: Phrase prepositions (e.g. by means of)

Present perfect continuous (progressive) tense

Present perfect simple or present continuous tense

Present simple tense: S for third person singular verbs

Present simple vs continuous (progressive) tense

Pronouns: EACH OTHER, ONE ANOTHER (reciprocal pronouns)

Pronouns: Possessive pronouns (e.g. my, mine)

Pronouns: Reflexive pronouns (e.g. myself, yourself))

Pronouns: SOMEBODY, ANYBODY, EVERYBODY, NO ONE, NOTHING, etc.

Pronouns: THIS, THAT, THESE, THOSE (demonstratives)

Pronouns: YOU and THEY to talk about people in general

Quantifiers (e.g. some, many, much, any, few, little)

Questions: WH questions (open-ended questions)

Reported speech: reported questions (indirect questions)

There is / there are / there was / there were / there will be, etc.

Verbs: Transitive or intransitive verbs (words that can or cannot stand with objects)

Working with Paragraphs: ordering, titling

Role play, miming, drama activity or improv game

Pictionary (picture dictionary) or picture matching

Writing an opinion essay (persuasive essay)

Learners who are Pre-A1 have just begun learning English and will first learn how to:<ul><li>Say the letters in the alphabet and numbers</li><li>Say hello, talk about names and age</li><li>Name the colors and dates, express likes and dislikes</li></ul>

Absolute beginners who have begun to learn the letters and numbers

Learners taking the A1 Elementary exam should be able to:<ul><li>Introduce themselves and ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, things he/she has, people he/she knows.</li><li>Communicate using very basic phrases as long as the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.</li><li>Main grammar points to know: common adjectives & adverbs of frequency, going to, how much/how many, imperatives, I'd like, 's – possessive, common prepositions of place and time, present simple & continuous, there is/are</li></ul>

A very basic tourist level, which is enough for buying food and a bus ticket

Learners taking the A2 Pre-intermediate exam should be able to:<ul><li>Understand sentences and frequently used expressions (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment).</li><li>Complete tasks that are routine and exchange information about familiar matters.</li><li>Describe matters of immediate need in simple terms.</li><li>Main grammar points to know: countable/uncountable nouns, adverbs of frequency, future will/going to, much/many, present perfect, past simple, past continuous, common phrasal verbs, common modals: can/should</li></ul>

A tourist who can do basic conversations about the past, present and future

Learners taking the B1 Intermediate exam should be able to:<ul><li>Understand points regarding family, work, school or leisure-related topics.</li><li>Deal with most travel situations in areas where the language is spoken.</li><li>Create simple texts on topics of personal interest.</li><li>Describe experiences, events, dreams, and ambitions, as well as opinions or plans in brief.</li><li>Main grammar points to know: question tags, intensifiers: too/enough, future tenses, past tenses, modals, conditionals, wh-questions in the past</li></ul>

Learners who can deal with both familiar and routine situations, in friendly and work contexts

Learners taking the B2 Upper-intermediate exam should be able to:<ul><li>Understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialization.</li><li>Interact with fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without difficulty for either party.</li><li>Produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain an opinion on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.</li><li>Main grammar points to know: perfect tenses, mixed conditionals, modals in the present, phrasal verbs, reported speech, wish, relative clauses</li></ul>

The level where you can be a tour guide for your foreign friends and talk about a lot of topics, even abstract ones, with ease and fluency

Learners taking the C1 Advanced exam should be able to: Express ideas fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts. Produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, using linking phrases (=words that connect ideas between sentences). Main grammar points to know: inversion, mixed conditionals, modals in the past, all passive forms, phrasal verbs (all patterns), wish/if only for regrets

Learners who can smoothly communicate in every walk of life, read long texts and write well

Learners taking the C2 Proficient exam should be able to:<ul><li>Understand almost everything read or heard with ease.</li><li>Summarize information from a variety of sources into a coherent presentation.</li><li>Express themselves using precise meaning in complex scenarios.</li><li>Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in the most complex situations</li></ul>

Get here and you are ready to study in English at university

176 First day of school English ESL worksheets pdf & doc