Hi fellow teachers! If you’re looking for a new back to school time filler for your Kindergarten, Grade 1 or Grade 2 class, check out the poem “Welcome to Your School” below. The video read aloud includes a short interactive mindfulness introduction before the poem making it ideal for after recess or helping your students feel calm and settled as they adjust to the new school year.
You have full permission to use the poem for teaching purposes within any educational setting, including online learning and homeschool.
Let me know if you use the poem – I’d love to hear how it goes.
Watch a video of the “Welcome to Your School” poem below:
Welcome to your class
Welcome to your chair
Welcome to your teacher
Smiling over there
Welcome to your friends
Welcome to your books
Welcome to your backpacks
Hanging up on hooks
Welcome to your lunch
Welcome to your hall
Welcome to your artwork
Sticking on the wall
Welcome to your school
We’re so glad you’re here
Welcome to the memories
You’re sure to make this year
Original poem by Kim T. Harrison. Video created in Canva.
Download a PDF, black & white, printable version of the poem:
Download a PPT slide version of the poem:
Teaching Ideas
- As a bell ringer or post-recess moment of focus. Let the video play while you tidy or prep.
- As the introduction to a back-to-school activity: ask students if their classroom looks like the one in the poem; ask them to find where the items mentioned in the poem are in their new classroom (hooks, backpacks, lunches, etc.)
- To complement or introduce back-to-school drawing activities: ask students to make their own artwork to stick on the wall
- To complement or introduce back-to-school writing activities: ask students what memories they made last school year and/or what memories they think they’ll make this year
Happy Teaching! Kim x
Kim T. Harrison 