My School Survey | Essential Grade K-1 Printable

This Grade K-1 student interest inventory helps educators understand their learners' preferences and emotional states from the very first day of school. By using visual icons and simple labels, students can express their feelings and learning styles independently. This worksheet fosters a positive classroom culture by validating individual student voices through a structured, low-stakes activity.

At a Glance

• Grade: K-1 · Subject: Social Emotional Learning
• Standard: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.6 — Express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly through visual and verbal cues
• Skill Focus: Self-Awareness & Preferences
• Format: 1 page · 5 tasks · No answer key needed · PDF
• Best For: First week of school icebreaker
• Time: 10–15 minutes

What's Inside: This single-page PDF features five distinct sections designed specifically for non-readers and early readers. It includes a mood check-in with four emoji icons, a subject preference list (books, art, numbers, music), a social-work preference section, a favorite school activity selector, and a large drawing box for open-ended expression. The layout uses a playful dotted trail to guide young eyes through the sequence without overwhelming them.

Zero-Prep Workflow: This resource is designed for immediate classroom implementation. First, print the single-page PDF (30 seconds). Next, distribute the sheets to students and provide crayons or pencils (1 minute). Finally, review the completed surveys to group students by interest or identify those needing emotional support (5 minutes). It is an ideal sub-plan filler, morning work activity, or first-day orientation task that requires no teacher setup.

Standards Alignment: The primary standard addressed is `CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.6`, which requires students to speak audibly and express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. While this is a visual task, it serves as the essential scaffold for the required verbal expression and classroom discussion. This standard code can be copied directly into lesson plans, IEP goals, or district curriculum mapping tools to document social-emotional growth.

How to Use It: Use this survey during the first week of school as a formative assessment of fine motor skills and self-awareness. Observe how students hold their writing utensils and whether they can follow the numbered path. It also works well as a "Getting to Know You" activity during small group rotations to spark conversation about shared interests. Expect students to take between 10 and 15 minutes to complete the drawing and circling tasks.

Who It's For: This worksheet is tailored for Kindergarten and Grade 1 students, including English Language Learners who benefit from the heavy use of visual icons. It pairs naturally with a "First Day of School" read-aloud or an anchor chart about classroom community and feelings. It is also a valuable tool for school counselors and special education teachers conducting initial student interviews.

The "My School Survey" worksheet is a foundational tool for establishing a responsive classroom environment. By aligning with `CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.6`, the resource ensures that even the youngest learners have a structured medium to express thoughts, feelings, and ideas clearly. Research from Fisher & Frey (2014) emphasizes the importance of checking for understanding and student engagement through non-verbal and visual cues in early childhood education. This survey provides 5 specific data points regarding a student's emotional state and learning preferences, allowing teachers to differentiate instruction based on real-time student feedback. Utilizing such interest inventories has been shown to increase student motivation and sense of belonging within the first 10 days of the academic year. This printable PDF is a high-utility asset for any primary educator looking to build a student-centered classroom culture while meeting essential speaking and listening standards.