The first week of school is more than setting up routines and reviewing rules—it’s about building a classroom community where students feel safe, seen, and celebrated. One of my favorite ways to do that? The Brown Bag Biography, or the All About Me Bag.
This low-prep, high-impact activity helps students introduce themselves in a way that’s fun, creative, and meaningful. It’s also a great way for YOU to learn what makes each student shine—without the pressure of formal writing or speaking on day one.
✨ What is the Brown Bag Biography?
Each student receives a simple brown paper bag (yep—the kind you pack a lunch in). Inside, they’ll place 3–5 small objects that represent who they are. It might be a rock from a vacation, a miniature soccer ball, a pet photo, or a LEGO figure. The possibilities are as unique as your students!
When it’s time to share, each student pulls out their items one at a time and tells the story behind them. Classmates listen, learn, and make connections—“Hey! I have a dog too!” or “You love art? Me too!”
🎯 Why It Works
The Brown Bag Biography isn’t just a get-to-know-you activity—it’s a chance to:
- ✅ Build confidence in a low-stakes, supportive way
- ✅ Strengthen speaking and listening skills
- ✅ Lay the groundwork for narrative writing
- ✅ Promote empathy, connection, and classroom culture
- ✅ Give you priceless insight into your students’ personalities, interests, and lives
📝 What to Include in Your Bag
To make it easy, I provide a printable label for students’ bags that includes a short, rhyming stanza to guide them:
Place 3 to 5 objects inside of this bag,
Each one a clue, not just a tag.
You’ll share them aloud with your new classroom crew,
So choose special things that tell us about you!
This helps students focus their choices and gets them excited to share.
🧑🏫 Teacher Tips
- Model the activity by showing your own bag and explaining each item
- Spread it out by having a few students share each day throughout the first week
- Pair it with writing: After sharing, students can complete a reflection or write about one special item
- Add a “Guess Who?” twist where students guess which item belongs to which student at the end of the first or second week-how fast can they learn about each other?
📦 Want the Print-and-Go Version?
To make it easy for busy teachers, I created a Brown Bag Biography Freebie you can download and use right away. It includes:
- Teacher directions
- Student instructions for the bag
- Writing extension page
- “Guess Who?” cards
- Who’s in the Bag? Interactive Bulletin Board
🟫 Download it here – Brown Bag Biography Student Intro Activity »
❤️ Final Thoughts
In a world of icebreakers that can sometimes feel awkward or overdone, the Brown Bag Biography stands out as a warm, personal, and engaging way to start your year. When students realize their voices and stories matter from Day One, it sets the stage for a classroom community that thrives.
Happy teaching—and happy sharing!
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