I’ve started the first day of school in dozens of ways over the years. You know, the soft launch.The syllabus speech. The expectations talk. The “go-around-the-room-and-say-your-name-plus-fun-fact” icebreaker that makes teens recoil in horror.

I’ve done them all.

But here’s the truth: none of those approaches actually made my students care about history. And they definitely didn’t help me build relationships with them.

So a few years ago, I started focusing on curiosity and connection.

Here are three ways to launch your World History class that actually work.

1. Gummy Governments

What it teaches: Forms of government, creativity, collaboration, and presentation skills

Time: 45 minutes – 1 class period

Materials: Gummy bears (or other small candy), paper, tape, pipe cleaners, toothpicks, markers, scrap paper, anything else you’ve got lying around your room.

Let’s be real for a sec: Your students think all governments are either “democracy” or “dictatorship.” This activity shows them how much more complex political systems really are. And it does so in the best way possible: using candy.

Here’s the task:

Assign a form of government (monarchy, dictatorship, oligarchy, democracy, theocracy, or communism). In small groups, they must build a model of that system using gummy bears and props. The gummy bears represent the people. The model must show how power is structured and exercised.

Want to show how a dictatorship works? Maybe perch one big gummy bear is above the rest, surrounded by walls. A theocracy? Your gummy bear priest-king could be holding a holy book, while everyone else prays at its feet. The possibilities are endless, and the more chaotic the group, the better the results.

Then, students present:

Each group explains its model and describes how power works. This is an opportunity for other students to ask questions and challenge one another.

Why it works:

• It requires no prior knowledge, so every kid can participate.
• You’ve snuck in vocabulary they’ll use all year.
• It opens the door for serious conversations about power, representation, and authority.

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2. History Speed Dating

What it teaches: Student relationships, historical empathy, and communication

Time: 30–40 minutes

Materials: Timer or clock, a set of prompt cards, or a slideshow.

If the thought of another “say your name and something interesting about you” icebreaker makes you cringe, then Speed Dating (you could call it ‘Speed Friending,’ ‘Speed Meeting,’ ‘Speech Chatting,’ whatever you’re comfortable with) is the perfect way to launch your world history class.

(I love this activity so much that I have a version that I use for Interest Groups in my AP Government & Politics class). 

Setup:

Arrange your classroom so students sit in two rows facing each other. One side stays seated; the other rotates every few minutes. You’ll use a set of conversation prompts to get them talking.

But here’s the twist: the prompts are world history-themed.

• If you could live during any historical time period, which would you choose and why?
• Would you rather be a medieval peasant or a Roman gladiator?
• What invention changed the world the most?
• Who is more important: a ruler or a revolutionary?

Each pair has 2 minutes to discuss the question. After time’s up, one side rotates and the process starts again. You can wrap it up with a whole-group debrief or give students a chance to reflect on which question sparked the best convo.

Why it works:

• Students get to know several classmates without the awkwardness of whole-class sharing.
• It models historical thinking and argumentation in a low-stakes way.
• You’re establishing that this is a class where we talk, challenge each other, and think beyond the textbook.

Bonus: Your quieter students often shine in this format because it’s one-on-one. You’ll see sparks you might have missed otherwise.

3. Artifact Autopsy

What it teaches: Historical thinking, inference, teamwork, and curiosity

Time: 40–50 minutes

Materials: Envelopes or small bags filled with “artifacts” and a group worksheet. You could include magnifying glasses or gloves, if you want to go full museum mode.

Tell your students you found mysterious bags of artifacts in your classroom. You need their help to figure out what society they came from.

Each bag should contain 4–6 objects that have details about a fictional civilization. These can be real items or printed pictures.

• A “religious symbol” (a random amulet or pendant)
• A piece of fake currency
• A “map” or terrain sketch
• A photograph (from another culture or made-up)
• A government document or fake law
• A recipe or food packaging

Each group gets one envelope and must analyze the objects to draw conclusions:

• What kind of government did this society have?
• What role did religion play?
• Was it peaceful or warlike?
• What values seem important?

Students record their inferences. Then they create a quick “civilization snapshot” to share with the class.

Why it works:

• Students practice skills they’ll need all year: observation, analysis, collaboration, inference.
• It introduces the idea that history is an interpretation, not just a collection of facts.
• It sparks curiosity

You can even revisit these fake civilizations later in the year and ask students to compare them to the real ones they study. 

Final Thoughts

We spend so much time trying to “ease students in” on the first day that we forget the truth: the first day matters. You’re setting the tone. You’re showing them what kind of teacher you are and what kind of learning they can expect.

So show them.

Remember: You want to LAUNCH your world history class. Not dip your toe in.

Let them build something, debate, and create stories from scraps. Show them that history class will not consist of worksheets and silent note-taking.

If you’re anything like me, you became a history teacher because you believe stories matter. Power matters. People matter.

So why not start with that?

Before you go…Grab my FREE Ultimate Social Studies Bundle

Want more first day fun? Check out these first day activities for Civics and U.S. History:

• Kick Off Your Civics Class With A Bang: Three Activities You Can’t Miss
• Make Day One U.S. History The Best Class They Walk Into