Get to Know Me Flip Book for Back to School

The first few days of school are full of introductions, new routines, and a lot of information coming at students all at once. I like having a few activities ready that give students a chance to slow down, reflect, and share a little about themselves without putting everyone on the spot.

This Get to Know Me Flip Book was created specifically for students in grades 3–5. It gives upper elementary students an age-appropriate way to write about their interests, favorites, goals, and the things that make them unique.

I especially like using it across the first week of school rather than trying to finish everything in one sitting. One page at a time gives students a manageable writing task while I begin learning more about the individuals in the room.

A Get to Know Me Activity for Grades 3–5

Upper elementary students still want opportunities to tell us who they are.

They just need activities that feel appropriate for their age.

By third, fourth, and fifth grade, many students have completed plenty of traditional All About Me worksheets. I wanted something that still gave students room to share but included more opportunities for written reflection and personal response.

The Get to Know Me Flip Book can be used:

• during the first week of school
• for morning work
• as a back-to-school writing activity
• during independent work
• after teaching a classroom routine
• for partner sharing
• during classroom community time
• as a beginning-of-year display

Because students work through separate sections, the activity is easy to spread across several days.

Two Get to Know Me Flip Books Are Included

The resource includes two different flip books, giving teachers more flexibility based on their students and the type of beginning-of-year activity they need.

One book includes opportunities for students to share information such as:

• their name
• grade, school, and teacher
• favorite foods
• hobbies
• favorite places
• favorite shows and movies

The second book includes more reflective prompts related to areas such as:

• goal setting
• unique traits
• where students can often be found
• additional ways students see and describe themselves

You can choose the book that best fits your class, offer students a choice, use different versions with different groups, or save one for another point in the year.

How I Use This During the First Week of School

My favorite approach is simple: one section at a time.

The beginning of the year already asks a lot of students. They are learning new expectations, new schedules, new people, and new classroom routines. I do not need every back-to-school activity to become another big production.

A small section of the flip book can give students a focused task between more active parts of the day.

Here is one possible first-week schedule:

Day 1: Introduce the flip book and complete one section.

Day 2: Add another response during morning work or after a classroom routine lesson.

Day 3: Complete a new section and share one response with a partner.

Day 4: Continue writing while I circulate and talk informally with students.

Day 5: Finish selected sections and invite students to choose one response they would like to share.

There is no need to follow that exact schedule. The point is simply to let the activity fit naturally into the rhythm of the week.

A Back-to-School Writing Activity With a Real Purpose

I like beginning-of-year writing activities that give me a reason to read the responses beyond checking whether the work is complete.

When students write about their interests, goals, preferences, and individual traits, I begin noticing details that can help me connect with them.

I may learn who loves graphic novels, who spends weekends at the softball field, who is determined to become a better writer, who prefers working quietly, or who has a surprisingly specific favorite movie.

They can also help me begin understanding the personalities, interests, and experiences students are bringing into the room.

Give Upper Elementary Students Time to Reflect

One reason I like this format for grades 3–5 is that students do not all have to share in the same way or at the same moment. Some students are ready to talk to everyone on the first day. Others need time.

The flip book gives students space to think and write first. Afterward, you can invite them to:

• share one response with a partner
• compare common interests
• choose one page to discuss in a small group
• use a response as a class meeting conversation starter
• share only the sections they feel comfortable sharing

That makes the activity flexible without requiring every student to stand up and introduce themselves to the whole class.

Use Student Responses to Start Real Conversations

As students work, I like to circulate and notice. A student’s response about a hobby may lead to a quick conversation. A goal may give me something to ask about later. Two students may discover an unexpected shared interest.

These are small interactions, but the first week is full of opportunities to begin learning who students are beyond a name on a roster.

Creating Classroom Culture for the New School Year

Pair Writing With Partner and Class Sharing

The finished pages can also become useful conversation starters.

After students complete a section, try asking them to:

• find one thing they have in common with a partner
• share one response that surprised them
• discuss a goal with a classmate
• choose one page for a small-group conversation
• use a response during a class meeting

For more ways to intentionally pair students and make partner work easier to manage, I also have a separate post with student partner and pairing ideas for the classroom.

A First Week Activity That Can Become a Display

The finished flip books can also be used as a beginning-of-year display.

Consider using them for:

• Open House
• Back-to-School Night
• a classroom bulletin board
• a hallway display
• student portfolios
• family night

Because students have written about themselves, the display becomes more personal than a generic seasonal decoration.

If you are still planning your family event, I also put together my favorite Meet the Teacher Night ideas for elementary teachers, including station setup, family forms, signs, slides, student activities, and ways to organize the flow of the evening.

Teaching K–1? Start With the All About Me Flip Book

Younger students often need a different balance of drawing and writing.

That is why we have a separate All About Me Flip Book for younger elementary students. The younger version gives students more opportunities to communicate through pictures and beginning writing while sharing their favorites, families, and interests.

More First Week of School Activities for Grades 3–5

The first week is about much more than filling time until academics begin.

Students are learning:

• how the classroom works
• what routines look like
• how to interact with new classmates
• what is expected of them
• how to participate in the learning community

I put more of those ideas together in my First Week of School Activities for grades 3–5, with upper elementary activities designed around classroom community, routines, student interaction, and the beginning of the school year.

The beginning of the year gives us a short window to begin noticing students as individuals while we establish the routines that will carry us through the year.

A simple Get to Know Me activity can give students space to write and reflect while giving us one more way to begin learning who is in the room.