Back to school season is upon us! The first week of school is all about building classroom community, teaching classroom rules and procedures, as well as helping students adjust to their new classroom. One of my favorite ways to kick off the school year is with this first day of school craft. This super simple back to school craft provides lots of opportunities for your little learners to practice essential fine motor, scissor and gluing skills, as well as the ability to listen and follow directions. And did I mention this pencil craft makes an adorable back to school bulletin board display?!

First Day of School Craft Prep

Back to school is one of the busiest times of the school year, so finding activities and back to school crafts that are low prep is key!

This super low prep first day of school pencil craft can be prepped and ready to go in a few simple steps!

First, copy the shaft of the pencil on yellow, the tip of the pencil on tan or brown, the eraser on pink, and the metal band on gray construction paper or card stock.

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Then, print the self-portrait page on regular copy paper.

There are two self-portrait drawing pages to choose from: “This is me on the first day!” or “Here is a picture of me!”

Since we all know the first day of school is busy, you may decide to save this craft for another day during the first couple weeks of school… hence, the second prompt!

For even more fine motor practice, you can also print all of the craft pieces on regular copy paper and have the students color each piece using crayons or markers!

First Day of School Craft Directions

This first day of school craft features large, easy-to-cut pieces, including straight and diagonal lines, making it perfect for little learners who are still developing scissor cutting skills!

First, we cut out the shaft of the pencil, cutting along the thick black line.

Next, we cut out the tip of the pencil, turning our scissors as needed to form the zig zag line.

Then, we cut out the eraser, followed by the gray metal band.

Once all of the pieces have been cut out, we place them off to the side, keeping the eraser piece in front of us so we can write our names at the top.

I like to have the students write their name in pencil first. Then they can trace over the pencil with a fine tip black marker. For our littlest learners, you may choose to do this step for them.

Then, the students can stack all of the craft pieces at the top of their table or desk before starting their self-portrait.

For the sake of simplicity, I would have the students draw and color their self portraits before attaching them to the pencil craft. You could have them draw the self portrait one day, and then have them complete the craft the next; or you could have them draw and color in the morning and complete the craft in the afternoon.

I always like to model this page before having students get started. This is a great opportunity to discuss all of the features a self-portrait should have, including beginning with a large circle at the top for the head.

Then, I like to elicit the help of the students on what to add to the head, body, and so forth. I always remind them not to forget hands and feet.

I recommend having the students complete their self-portrait in pencil first before coloring their drawing with crayons or colored pencils.

Once the self-portraits are complete, it is time to assemble the first day of school craft.

I have found that glue sticks work best for assembling, but liquid glue works great as well.

First, add a swipe of glue to the bottom of the pencil shaft. Then, attach the pencil tip on top.

Next, adhere the eraser to the top of the shaft followed by the metal band.

Finally, attach the self-portrait page to the middle of the pencil shaft.

Once all of the pencil crafts are complete, I like to display them as our back to school bulletin board.

They make a great display for families to enjoy during curriculum night or open house!

First Day of School Pencil Craft for Preschool & Kindergarten

Grab this adorable first day of school pencil craft, including the craft template and self-portrait drawing pages HERE!

More Back to School Crafts

Promote positive behavior during the first week of school with these David Goes to School activities and craft!

Celebrate your students and their names during the first month of school with these name crafts!

You might also love this How to Use School Supplies Craft for back to school!

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