@image /content/dam/pebblegodev/blog/5days5ways.png The first week of school sets the tone for the entire year. It’s when students learn new routines, begin to build relationships, and explore what it means to be part of a learning community. As a teacher or librarian, you're likely looking for ways to make those early days engaging, purposeful, and manageable. That’s where [b]PebbleGo[/b] and [b]PebbleGo Next[/b] come in. This simple, 5-day plan gives you ready-to-go article pairings and activity ideas to use with both lower and upper elementary learners. Whether you're encouraging new friendships, supporting healthy habits, or helping students set personal goals, this guide helps you integrate meaningful content from Day 1. @image /content/dam/pebblegodev/blog/friendship.png @h5 Day 1: Building Classroom Community Help students make connections and feel like they belong. * PebbleGo Article: "[url=https://app.pebblego.com/pgoplayer/articles/10430]Making New Friends[/url]" * PebbleGo Next Article: "[url=https://app.pebblego.com/pgnplayer/articles/12529]Friendships[/url]" [b]Try This:[/b] Begin by asking, “What makes a good friend?” Read the selected article as a class or in small groups. Invite students to make text-to-self connections by reflecting on a time they made a new friend or helped someone feel welcome. After reading, brainstorm a list of “[b]Friendship Tips[/b]” together. Have students choose one and create a mini-poster or digital slide in [b]PebbleGo Create[/b]. Display these around the classroom or library to reinforce positive social behaviors. Optional Extension: Create a class "[b]Friendship Wall[/b]" where students can write kind notes or shout-outs to classmates throughout the week. @h5 Day 2: Understanding Our Emotions Explore feelings and how they shape our school experiences. * PebbleGo Category: "[url=https://app.pebblego.com/shell/modules/16/categories/10423]Feelings and Emotions[/url]" * PebbleGo Next Article: "[url=https://app.pebblego.com/pgnplayer/articles/12540]Feelings and Emotions[/url]" [b]Try This:[/b] Invite students to choose an article that reflects how they’re feeling or one they’re curious about. Lower elementary students can select from the PebbleGo Feelings and Emotions category, while upper elementary students can either choose from that same category or explore the Feelings and Emotions article in PebbleGo Next for a broader view. After reading, guide a class discussion around the idea that emotions are normal and that recognizing how we feel helps us learn and connect with others. Create an Emotion Toolbox: Ask students, “What helps you feel calm, focused, or ready to learn when you're having a big feeling?” Using PebbleGo Create or drawing tools, have them build a personal "[b]Emotion Toolbox[/b]"—a visual that includes: * Three emotions they might experience at school * One strategy they can use to manage each (for example: take deep breaths, talk to a teacher, take a quiet moment) * A picture or symbol for each strategy These can be kept at students' desks, compiled into a class book, or shared digitally to support emotional awareness all year long. @h5 Day 3: Developing Healthy Habits Connect wellness habits with focus and learning success. * PebbleGo Article: "[url=https://app.pebblego.com/pgoplayer/articles/10435]Sleep Habits[/url]" * PebbleGo Next Article: "[url=https://app.pebblego.com/pgnplayer/articles/12740]Sleep[/url]" [b]Try This:[/b] Ask students, “How does getting enough sleep help you learn?” Read the article together and list reasons why rest is important. For upper elementary, have students explore additional impacts of sleep such as focus, mood, and memory. Lead a classroom discussion comparing healthy and unhealthy sleep routines. Then ask students to create a "[b]Sleep Tips"[/b] chart or design a “[b]Sleep Superhero[/b]” in PebbleGo Create—what powers do they get from a good night’s rest? Optional Extension: Conduct a “[b]Sleep Survey[/b]” in class to gather data on bedtime routines and turn the results into a bar graph or chart. @image /content/dam/pebblegodev/blog/online-safety.png @h5 Day 4: Safe and Smart Online Set expectations for respectful, responsible digital behavior. * PebbleGo Article: "[url=https://app.pebblego.com/pgoplayer/articles/13082]Online Etiquette[/url]" * PebbleGo Next Article: "[url=https://app.pebblego.com/pgnplayer/articles/14765]Online Safety[/url]" [b]Try This:[/b] Begin by asking students where and how they use technology, whether it's at school, at home, or both. Read the article together and discuss key takeaways like keeping passwords private, using kind words online, and asking an adult for help when unsure. Work together to draft a “[b]Digital Promise[/b]” as a class: a short list of respectful and responsible tech behaviors students agree to follow. Younger students can illustrate a digital safety tip in PebbleGo Create, while older students might write a personal tech tip and explain why it’s important. Optional Extension: Turn the Digital Promise into a class poster everyone signs, or create a recurring “[b]Tech Check-In[/b]” routine for digital citizenship moments throughout the year. @h5 Day 5: Looking Forward with Goals Encourage students to think ahead and take ownership of their learning. * PebbleGo Article: "[url=https://app.pebblego.com/pgoplayer/articles/10477]Setting Goals[/url]" * PebbleGo Next Article: "[url=https://app.pebblego.com/pgnplayer/articles/8695]Creating Personal Goals[/url]" [b]Try This:[/b] Ask students what they’re excited to learn or improve this year. Read the article as a class, then help students set one personal and one academic goal for the first month of school. Talk about the steps needed to reach those goals such as asking for help, practicing, or staying focused. Using PebbleGo Create or a goal-setting template, have students design a visual reminder of their goal and the [b]action steps[/b] they’ll take. Review the goals together weekly or monthly. Optional Extension: Create a “[b]Goal Garden[/b]” bulletin board or hallway display with student goal posters. Revisit progress later in the semester. @h5 Why Educators Love This Plan * No-stress planning: Everything is ready to go. Just log in and begin! * Multi-grade friendly: Article pairings make it easy to adapt for K–5. * Skill-building: Students practice reading nonfiction, reflecting, and creating. * Community-centered: These activities help build trust, safety, and purpose from day one. Whether you're a classroom teacher looking to build strong routines or a librarian introducing PebbleGo during the first week of media lessons, this plan gives you a strong start. Here’s to a strong and successful start to your school year!