Planning the first week of school activities for 6th-grade social studies can feel surprisingly difficult.
You want students engaged from day one, but you also don’t want to overwhelm them with content.
You want to start building routines, introduce expectations, and begin creating a classroom community. At the same time, you’re excited to teach ancient civilizations, geography, and the other topics you’ll explore throughout the year.
I’ve found that the best first week of school activities strike a balance between relationship building, routine building, and social studies content.
Students should leave the first week feeling comfortable participating, excited about what they’re going to learn, and confident about what to expect when they walk into class each day.
The activities below help accomplish all three while giving students an engaging introduction to 6th grade social studies.
Start with a 6th Grade Social Studies Ice Breaker
The first few days of school can feel awkward.
Students are meeting new classmates.
They’re learning new schedules.
Many are wondering what middle school social studies is even going to be like.
That’s why I like starting with activities that get students talking right away.
Ancient Civilizations Geography This or That
This activity works as both an ice breaker and an introduction to the content students will study throughout the year.
Students can:
- Vote for different options
- Turn and talk with classmates
- Defend their choices
- Share opinions
- Practice discussion skills
What I like most is that every student can participate.
There isn’t one right answer.
Students simply explain their thinking and learn more about their classmates along the way.
Additional Ice Breaker Ideas
Four Corners
Ask questions like:
- Ancient Egypt or Ancient Greece?
- Explorer or inventor?
- Mountains or rivers?
- Maps or artifacts?
Students move to different corners of the room and discuss their answers.
Find Someone Who
Students find classmates who:
- Enjoy history
- Have visited a museum
- Like geography
- Have traveled somewhere new
- Enjoy reading
Would You Rather
Try questions like:
- Live near the Nile River or the Mediterranean Sea?
- Be an archaeologist or an explorer?
- Discover a tomb or discover a lost city?
The goal isn’t simply getting students moving, but to help students feel comfortable speaking in your classroom from the very beginning.
Establish Routines in First Week of School
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that the first week isn’t just about relationships.
It’s about creating routines that will support learning all year long.
Students need to know what class looks like.
They need to know what happens when they walk in.
They need consistency.
That’s why I introduce bell ringers immediately.
Ancient Civilizations Bell Ringers
The first week isn’t really about the content.
It’s about teaching the routine.
I show students:
- Where to find the bell ringer
- How to get started
- What materials they need
- What classroom expectations look like
By the second week, students already know how class begins.
That consistency saves time every single day.
I also like that these bell ringers begin introducing students to:
- Geography
- Timelines
- Maps
- Historical thinking
- Ancient civilizations
How I Use Bell Ringers During the First Week
- Day 1: Complete together
- Day 2: Work with a partner
- Day 3: Add discussion
- Day 4: Practice independently
- Day 5: Transition into regular expectations
If you’re preparing for back-to-school communication as well, these Meet the Teacher Templates are a great resource.
Use Ancient Civilizations Maps for a First Week Decision-Making Activity
Students love sharing opinions, especially when there isn’t one correct answer.
That’s why I like using maps as an interactive first week activity.
Ancient Civilizations Maps
Display maps of Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Ancient Greece, and Ancient Rome and ask students:
“If you lived thousands of years ago, where would you choose to settle?”
Students study the maps, look for rivers, mountains, coastlines, and fertile land, then make a decision.
After choosing a location, students share their reasoning with a small group and compare answers.
Some students may choose the Nile River.
Others might prefer the Mediterranean coastline.
Some will focus on farming opportunities, while others think about trade or protection.
Without even realizing it, students begin thinking like historians and geographers while practicing discussion skills with their classmates.
Build Excitement for Ancient Civilizations
The first week is also the perfect time to build anticipation for what’s ahead.
One of my favorite things to do is give students a sneak peek at the civilizations we’ll study throughout the year.
I might show:
- Pictures of the pyramids
- Images of Greek temples
- Roman architecture
- Ancient artifacts
- Historical maps
Students immediately start asking questions.
“Did people really build that?”
“Are we going to learn about mummies?”
“How old is that?”
Those are exactly the kinds of questions I want students asking.
The goal isn’t teaching the entire unit during the first week.
The goal is creating curiosity.
If students are excited about the content before the unit even begins, engagement becomes much easier later.
If you’re looking for support, lesson ideas, and resources throughout the year, check out the Ancient Civilizations Academy:
My Final Feelings…
The first week of school isn’t about covering the most content.
It’s about setting the tone for everything that follows.
Students need opportunities to participate.
They need opportunities to feel successful.
They need opportunities to connect with classmates and with the subject they’ll be studying.
A strong ice breaker encourages discussion.
Bell ringers create routines.
Decision-making activities build engagement.
Classroom conversations build confidence.
When those pieces come together, students begin the year feeling comfortable, engaged, and excited about social studies.
Resources Mentioned
Ancient Civilizations Geography This or That
Ancient Civilizations Bell Ringers
Ancient Civilizations Maps
Meet the Teacher Templates
