10 Creative Ways to Connect with Students in Your First Year

Starting out in a classroom can be equal parts exciting and overwhelming. While managing the curriculum and learning how to juggle the daily logistics, there’s one task that sits quietly at the top of your priority list: connecting with your students. When you build trust early, everything else gets easier. These 10 creative ways to connect with students in your first year can help you set the tone from day one.

Start With Their Names

Learning every student’s name quickly is one of the most practical steps you can take when building teacher-student relationships. Try using name games or assign activities where students introduce themselves through drawings, facts, or short stories. It shows them you care about who they are.

Use THINK/PAIR/SHARE to Get Them Talking

The THINK/PAIR/SHARE strategy encourages even shy students to participate. Students take time to think about a prompt, discuss with a partner, then share with the group. It gives them a safe entry point into class discussions and lets you observe their thinking in real time.
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Build Routines That Include Student Voice

Routine doesn’t have to mean boring. Create regular class check-ins, question-of-the-day activities, or weekly reflection journals. These small moments show students that their thoughts matter. Plus, it gives you an easy way to gauge mood, motivation, and engagement.
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Start With Low-Stakes Writing or Drawing

As part of your plan for connecting with students as a new teacher, give them space to express themselves without pressure. Try open-ended prompts like "What would you do with a day off school?" or "Draw a picture of your perfect weekend." These simple tasks encourage creativity and connection.

​Get Creative With Icebreakers

Forget the standard name-where-you’re-from routine. Build classroom community through creative icebreakers. Have students find something in common with someone else, complete a collaborative poster, or create a class playlist. Use activities that bring out personality, not just data.

Use Games and Group Challenges

Group games are a great way to build relationships without forcing conversation. Incorporate learning games, quick maths competitions, or collaborative problem-solving tasks into your week. These shared experiences are especially helpful during the first few weeks.

Use Creative Writing to Open Up Discussion

Creative writing can spark insight and connection. Students may feel more comfortable sharing opinions, hopes, and ideas when writing fiction or poetry. You can also use tools like printable English worksheets to build structure around creative tasks.

Let Students Teach Each Other

Give students small leadership opportunities. Maybe one student leads the morning warm-up, or another explains a maths strategy. This empowers them, promotes ownership, and gives you another lens into their learning and interests.

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​Incorporate Interest-Based Projects

Building teacher-student relationships is easier when students feel their interests are reflected in class. Let them choose topics for mini-projects or select books based on their hobbies. Student-led learning moments like these foster curiosity and build trust.

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Make Time for Informal Moments

Not every interaction has to be instructional. Chatting while lining up, checking in after lunch, or even noticing a new haircut all count. These small, genuine moments often lay the foundation for stronger connections.

Connecting with students as a new teacher isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about creating consistent, thoughtful opportunities to get to know your class. Start with simple things like THINK/PAIR/SHARE, interest-based projects, or using creative tools like printable English worksheets. Each small effort builds something bigger—a classroom where every student feels seen, safe, and ready to learn.

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