Creating a Welcoming Classroom Community: Engage Students with a People Scavenger Hunt

A Warm Welcome

Welcome your students to a vibrant and inclusive classroom community with an exciting get-to-know-you activity. Designed for older elementary and middle school students, a People Scavenger Hunt is an excellent addition to your beginning-of-the-year activities!

Fabulous Friendship-Building

For new students, and even returning students, the first days in a new classroom or school can be an overwhelming experience. They may feel anxious, nervous, and uncertain about fitting in. As a school counselor, it's crucial to create an environment where students feel welcomed, valued, and connected. One effective way to achieve this is through interactive activities that encourage students to meet new friends and discover common interests.

Facilitating Connections and Camaraderie

Introducing the People Scavenger Hunt, a fun-filled activity that will help your students break the ice and build connections. The objective is simple: Students will interact with their classmates, asking them the provided questions and recording the names of those who answer "yes." This engaging activity not only promotes social interaction but also encourages active listening and communication skills.

To ensure fairness and inclusivity, I recommend limiting each box to one classmate's name. However, if you have concerns about having enough students to fill each box, additional rules can be introduced to adapt the game. For example, students may have the same person sign their sheet twice, sign their own sheet twice, or choose one box as a free space. These variations ensure that every student has the opportunity to participate and feel included.

To add an extra layer of excitement, consider offering small prizes for the first few completed scavenger hunts. This friendly competition motivates students to actively engage with their peers and encourages participation. The anticipation of winning a prize can create a buzz in the classroom, fostering a lively atmosphere and a sense of camaraderie among students.

Discovering the Delights of Our Diverse Peer Group

Once the scavenger hunt is complete, gather the students together to share interesting facts they learned about their classmates. This sharing session not only helps students discover shared interests but also celebrates the diversity within their peer group. By highlighting the unique qualities of each individual, you'll foster a sense of belonging and create a strong foundation for a supportive and inclusive classroom community.

Cultivating a Strong and Inclusive Classroom Community

By implementing this People Scavenger Hunt, you'll not only create a fun and lively atmosphere in your classroom but also cultivate a strong sense of community. Students will develop meaningful relationships, discover shared interests, and celebrate the diversity within their peer group. This activity lays the foundation for a supportive and inclusive classroom environment that promotes collaboration, empathy, and mutual respect.

So, let the hunt begin! Bring your students closer together, spark conversations, and lay the foundation for a supportive and inclusive classroom environment!

Ready to Use Resource

Don't miss out on this awesome chance to create a super welcoming and fun experience for your new students. Shop here for this resource:

                                    

Looking for more New Student Activities? Check these out:

New Student Survival Kits: Welcoming Students and Building Connections with Your School Counselor

Hey there, it's a brand new year, and guess what? I have a whopping 50 new students, just in 2nd and 4th grade! And that's not even counting the little Kindergartners that are also new to our school! I wanted to give them a warm welcome and make sure they remember who I am and what I do. But with so many new faces, I had to get a little creative without breaking the bank. That's when the idea of the New Student Survival Kits came to me.

These kits are the perfect little gifts to hand out when I meet my new students for the first time. I made a list of 9 items to include in each kit, along with a description of why I chose each one. Such as a band-aid to represent the school counselor is there to help when you get hurt or an eraser to represent that the school counselor helps you understand everyone makes mistakes. Then, I popped everything into a zip-lock bag, along with the list. And you won't believe it—I managed to buy all the items and bags for just $14 at the Dollar Tree. Score!

Now, here's the really exciting part. When new students meet their school counselor, it opens up a world of benefits for them. First and foremost, I'm here to provide support. Whether it's academic, social, or emotional, I'm ready to lend a helping hand. By having that initial meeting and receiving the New Student Survival Kit, students are encouraged to connect with me whenever they need guidance or someone to talk to.

Building a relationship with their school counselor also promotes a sense of belonging and community. I want my students to feel supported and connected within our school. By taking the time to meet them and explain my role, students realize that they have an advocate in their corner. They know they can count on me to create a safe and inclusive environment where they can thrive.

So, with the New Student Survival Kits, I hope to make that initial meeting even more special! 

Ready to use Resource

If you're interested, you can snag the New Student Survival Kit printables for FREE here:

Check out another fun New Student Activity:

Engage and Excite New Students: A School Tour for Welcoming New Students

                                         

Hey there, get ready for an awesome adventure like no other! It's that time of year when we warmly welcome new students to our incredible school. And to make their introduction to our vibrant campus extra special, we've got something super cool planned—an Amazing New Student School Tour Adventure!

Meeting the new fish in our school:

So here's the deal: instead of a typical tour where we simply walk around the school, I turned it into an epic quest that will ignite the imagination of my students! But before we dive into the adventure, we kick things off with a fun "get to know you" activity. We all gather together in my office, excited to meet our new friends. After our activity, I explain to the kids that I have a special treat for them—delicious Goldfish Crackers! But guess what? Our special surprise has mysteriously gone missing! Don't worry, though, because our playful friend, who loves a good mystery, has left us a clue to begin our exciting adventure...

I pull out my iPad and we scan the QR code on the fish to find the following clue:

The kids get so excited and I ask, "Hmm, where is a place in our school with a lot of books?" We follow the clue, eager to find our treat, and it leads us to our first destination—a hidden spot within the school filled with wonder and excitement. As we step into this extraordinary place, prepare to be amazed by what you see and experience. It's like stepping into a whole new world within our school walls, where magic and discovery await at every turn – the Library! This gives me the opportunity to explain that the library is now called "The Learning Commons".

As we continue our journey through the school's hallways, guided by the clues left by our playful friend, we encounter fascinating sights and uncover hidden secrets along the way. Each clue brings us closer to our ultimate goal, revealing where our treat has gone! 

Throughout the tour, we learn about important people and places that make our school truly special. From our related arts teachers to our front office staff, these are all members of the faculty who are important to know! We end up visiting all of these places: 

• Library/Media Center
• Main Office
• Health Room
• Art Room
• Gym
• Music Room
• Lunch Room
• Playground/Recess Area
• School Counselor's Office

A Splashy Ending to an Unforgettable Adventure:

Finally, our thrilling tour ends with a fantastic surprise waiting for us back in my office! It’s that special treat carefully prepared to celebrate our successful adventure and warmly welcome our new friends to the school community. We take a few moments to reflect on the incredible journey we've shared and to savor the excitement and sense of belonging that comes with being part of our school family.

Each treat has this poem on it...

A New Circle of Friends

We've joined together

as the new year begins...

A year full of learning

while we become friends.

We'll share and be kind

as we work and play.

And our friendship will grow

with each passing day.

Bubbling Benefits:

Meeting with new students and taking them on a school tour has so many benefits:

• Welcoming Atmosphere: The tour creates a warm and inclusive environment, ensuring new students feel valued and part of the school community from the start.

• Familiarization: The tour familiarizes new students with the school layout, helping them navigate with confidence and reducing any initial confusion or anxiety.

• Introduction to Important People: New students meet teachers, staff, and fellow students during the tour, establishing early connections and fostering a sense of belonging.

• Engaging and Exciting: The interactive nature of the tour, with clues and surprises, keeps new students engaged and excited, setting a positive tone for their school experience.

• Fun Learning Experience: The tour presents information about the school's history, traditions, and unique features in an enjoyable and memorable way, enhancing students' understanding of the school's culture.

• Teamwork and Collaboration: Through group activities during the tour, new students collaborate, fostering teamwork and forming friendships.

• Sense of Pride: The tour instills a sense of pride and ownership in the new students, as they learn about the school's achievements, values, and contributions to the community.

• Memorable Experience: The tour creates lasting memories, making new students' early days at the school special and providing shared experiences for bonding.

Overall, as School Counselors, we want to provide a smooth transition, ensuring new students feel excited, supported, and familiar with their new school. By meeting with them in their first few days, it sets the stage for positive relationships, academic success, and a rewarding journey throughout their time at the school.

Ready to Use Resource: 

Don't miss out on this awesome chance to create a super welcoming and fun experience for your new students. Shop here for this resource:

Looking for more activities to do with your new students? Check this fun activity out!