3 Important First Week of School Literacy Activities

The first week of school sets the tone for the entire year. It’s a time filled with excitement, nerves, and the beginning of new routines. As educators, we know how crucial it is to start strong, and one of the best ways to do so is by building literacy habits from the very beginning. Focusing on the first week of school literacy activities ensures students start seeing reading as a meaningful part of their daily lives.

When students see that reading, thinking, and discussing books are a core part of classroom life, they begin to internalize that literacy is valued. By embedding meaningful first week of school literacy experiences right away, you’re not just covering curriculum standards — you’re laying the foundation for a community of thoughtful readers.

Start with a Story Students Can Relate To

One of the easiest and most powerful ways to kick off first week of school literacy instruction is with a story that students connect with. School’s First Day of School by Adam Rex is a fantastic choice for this — it’s charming, relatable, and opens the door for great discussions about emotions, change, and new beginnings.

To make it even easier for you, I’ve created a School’s First Day of School Reading Comprehension Unit aligned to the new Alberta Curriculum. It includes everything you need for close reading, comprehension questions, and critical thinking tasks that fit seamlessly into your first week of school literacy plans.

Quick Tip: After reading, have students complete a “feelings graph” where they track the character’s emotions throughout the story. It’s a simple, visual way to foster empathy and inferencing skills.

Looking for even more amazing read-alouds to kick off your year? Check out my list of Back to School Read Alouds for even more book ideas that build community and spark important conversations during the first week of school literacy activities!

Launch Your Reading Workshop Right

Beyond a single read-aloud, the first week is the perfect time to begin introducing the structures and expectations of Reading Workshop. Helping students understand how workshop time looks and feels sets them up for independence and success.

If you’re looking for guidance, the Launching Reading Workshop: Minilessons for Upper Elementary resource provides ready-to-use lessons to introduce routines, habits, and strategies. It’s a complete, flexible guide to help you build a positive reading culture from the ground up.

Pro Tip: Spend a few minutes each day modelling how to select “just right” books and setting goals for independent reading time. Students love seeing examples from your own reading life!

Encourage Reflection with Reading Responses

Early on, it’s important to give students opportunities to reflect on their reading. Reflection deepens comprehension and builds the habit of thoughtful reading.

You can start this easily with simple journal prompts. The Reading Response Journal Printable and Digital Notebooks offer flexible options for in-class or at-home work. If you’re teaching digitally or want an easy-to-manage system, the Digital Reading Response Slides for Reading Workshop are a perfect solution — interactive, easy to assign, and engaging for students.

Quick Idea: Kick off a “Reader’s Notebook” showcase day at the end of the first month where students choose one entry they’re proud of to share. It builds ownership and excitement!

Why It Matters

Taking the time to build first week of school literacy routines from the first day isn’t just “one more thing” to add to your already full plate — it’s an investment. When students start the year understanding that reading is meaningful, reflective, and a key part of their identity as learners, they carry that mindset forward.

Plus, with thoughtfully designed resources ready to go, you can focus more on connecting with your students and less on scrambling for activities.

Bonus Freebie: Want a quick win for your first week? Create a simple “What Reading Means to Me” poster activity where students draw or write their thoughts about reading. Collect them to create your first classroom bulletin board — a visual reminder that you’re building a community of readers from the very first day.

By making first week of school literacy a top priority, you’re setting your students up for a year filled with growth, connection, and a love for reading.

Here’s to a year full of reading, growth, and community — starting right from day one!