Back-to-school season can feel like a whirlwind—between setting up your classroom, building routines, and figuring out what you’re teaching week one, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But what if your first few weeks of science could be low-stress, high-impact, and… free?
That’s why I pulled together my top free back to school science activities for grades 5–8. These print-and-go lessons, bell ringers, and planning tools are all NGSS-aligned and classroom-tested—so you can save time and start the year strong.
1. 10 Free Back to School Science Activities
Planning your first few weeks of science can feel overwhelming… but this pack of free back to school science activities for grades 5–8 takes the pressure off with 10 print-and-go options that build routines, review skills, and get students thinking scientifically from day one.
What’s Included:
Science Word Searches (2) – A fun way to get students thinking in science terms while easing them into the classroom routine.
Science Crossword Puzzle – Reinforces important science vocabulary and supports early review or pre-assessment.
Metric Measurement Practice – Helps students refresh key skills used throughout the year in labs and investigations.
Science Skills Practice – Builds foundational thinking by focusing on observations, inferences, predictions, and more.
Scientific Method Activity & Reading – Students sequence the steps and apply them using a short, accessible reading passage.
Lab Equipment Search – Familiarizes students with common tools they’ll be using throughout the year.
Compare & Contrast: Plant vs. Animal Cells – A quick activity to review life science basics and use science vocabulary.
Compare & Contrast: Planets – Students examine and contrast characteristics of planets, integrating Earth & space science.
Why Teachers Love It:
These activities are:
No-prep and printable—perfect for the first week when planning time is tight
Skill-building, not fluff—reinforce observation, vocabulary, scientific reasoning, and content knowledge
Flexible—use them as bell ringers, independent practice, early finisher work, or sub plans
NGSS-friendly—connects to core science practices and concepts you’ll build on all year
Use this free pack to reduce first-week stress, introduce important science routines, and start the year with purpose.
Have you ever told your students that a fish can predict their future?
This memorable (and hilarious) activity hooks students instantly—then leads them straight into the scientific method without them even realizing it at first.
The Fortune Telling Fish freebie includes everything you need to guide students through making observations, forming hypotheses, and testing their predictions. It’s the perfect early-year inquiry activity that builds scientific thinking in a fun, low-stress way.
What’s Included:
Teacher instructions + setup suggestions
Student-friendly activity sheet
Built-in prompts for observation, questioning, and reflection
A printable anchor chart idea to spark curiosity
Why Teachers Love It:
Students are instantly engaged (seriously, they think it’s magic)
It encourages authentic use of the scientific method without a long lecture
Easy to print and use—great for the first week of science or a fun Friday
Helps build classroom culture around inquiry and curiosity
It’s one of those lessons students remember all year long—and they’ll be asking to borrow the fish again and again.
📥 Grab the free bell ringers here
Kickstart every science class with structure and purpose using these free bell ringers—a perfect part of your back to school science routines.
These bell ringers are designed for grades 5–8 and help students ease into learning while reinforcing key science skills. Whether you’re using them to review vocabulary, assess prior knowledge, or build critical thinking, they offer a consistent start that makes transitions smoother (and classroom management easier).
What’s Included:
A variety of bell ringer formats: short answer, diagrams, vocabulary prompts, and quick analysis
Coverage across multiple disciplines: life, Earth, and physical science
Editable and printable versions for flexibility
Why Teachers Love It:
These bell ringers give you immediate routines for the first few weeks—and the rest of the year
They’re a powerful tool for formative assessment without grading piles
Students come in, settle down, and get focused from the first minute
Ideal for establishing structure during those chaotic early days of school
If you’re trying to turn chaos into calm during back-to-school season, adding bell ringers to your routine is one of the simplest and most effective strategies—and this free set makes it easy to start.
For more ideas on how to use bell ringers strategically all year long, check out this post:
👉 10 Ways to Use Bell Ringers in Science Class
📥 Choose your free planner here
Feeling overwhelmed about what to teach and when? These free curriculum planners are designed to help you map out your year with confidence—whether you teach 5th grade science, Earth, Life, or Physical Science.
Each planner includes a suggested scope and sequence aligned to NGSS for grades 5–8, so you can stop second-guessing your pacing and start planning strategically.
🔍 What’s Included in Each Planner:
Embedded NGSS performance expectations
Editable planning pages to customize for your classroom
Clear unit flow to support project-based or traditional models
✅ Why Teachers Love It:
Helps new teachers or those switching grade levels feel grounded
Makes long-term planning manageable instead of overwhelming
Supports NGSS alignment without hours of searching and reorganizing
Pairs perfectly with your existing resources or new bundles
Whether you’re teaching plate tectonics, ecosystems, or forces and motion, there’s a planner to help you stay on track—and stay sane.
📌 Download the one that fits your course here:
5. Free CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) Graphic Organizer
📥 Download the CER freebie here
If you’re aiming to build real scientific thinkers in your classroom, CER writing—Claim, Evidence, Reasoning—is a must. This free graphic organizer helps middle school students break down scientific arguments and back them up with real evidence and logical reasoning.
It’s a great tool to introduce CER or to scaffold student writing throughout the year. Whether you’re using it after labs, readings, or even science videos, this freebie helps students get to the point and back it up.
What’s Included:
A printable CER graphic organizer
Guided prompts to support struggling writers
An example CER to model expectations
Flexible use for labs, reading responses, or exit tickets
Why Teachers Love It:
Helps students build argumentation skills aligned to NGSS
Makes science writing less intimidating with built-in supports
Easily integrates with any science topic or investigation
Ideal for bell ringers, wrap-ups, or assessments
For more strategies on how to make CER writing meaningful (and less painful), check out these helpful posts:
👉 How to Teach CER in Science Class
👉 5 Benefits of Using CER for Struggling Students
👉 Ready-made materials for Teaching CER
Final Thoughts: Start Your Year with Confidence for Free
You don’t need to reinvent your first week of science class. With these free back to school science activities, you can build routines, introduce essential skills, and engage your students from the start—without staying up late or scrambling for ideas.
From planning tools and bell ringers to creative science skill reviews and writing supports, these freebies are teacher-tested and NGSS-aligned for grades 5–8. They’re designed to help you start strong, stay organized, and build momentum for the year ahead.
Want to make back-to-school easier?
Choose one—or grab them all—and feel good knowing your classroom is set up for success.
👇 Let me know in the comments:
Which freebie will you use first? Or, if you’ve already tried one, which was your students’ favorite?
And don’t forget to share this post with another teacher who could use a few wins this back-to-school season.
