What You Should Know About Me: A Simple Way to Understand Your Students
At the beginning of the year, we spend a lot of time learning students’ names, routines, and schedules. But one of the most important things we can do is actually understand who our students are.
This is where simple tools can make a big difference.
I created a one-page activity called “What You Should Know About Me” to give students a chance to share more than surface-level information. Instead of just introductions, this allows students to reflect on their strengths, challenges, interests, and experiences.
Students respond to prompts like:
something they are really good at
something that can be challenging for them in school
their hobbies and interests
a part of their background, culture, or family that matters to them
one thing they wish teachers understood about them
What I love about this activity is that it’s flexible. Students can write, draw, or design their responses in a way that feels comfortable for them. It works just as well on paper as it does digitally.
More importantly, it gives you meaningful insight right away.
You start to see patterns and learn what supports students need. You begin to understand how they see themselves as learners, and that changes how you teach.
This isn’t just a “get to know you” activity - it’s a starting point for building a classroom where students feel seen and understood.
If you’re looking for a simple, thoughtful way to begin the year or reconnect with your students, this is a great place to start.
You can grab the editable template below.
Laura 🌿
Resource: What You Should Know About Me: A Simple Way to Truly Understand Your Students
Start the year by truly understanding your students, not just learning their names.
This “What You Should Know About Me” student profile template helps students share their strengths, challenges, interests, and experiences in a simple, approachable way.
This activity is designed to:
build strong relationships from the start
support culturally responsive teaching
give students a voice in how they are seen and understood
provide insight you can actually use to guide instruction
Students respond to prompts like:
Something I’m really good at
Something that can be challenging for me in school
My hobbies and interests
A part of my background, culture, or family that matters to me
One thing I wish teachers understood about me
What’s Included:
Editable Canva template
Google Slides version (make a copy and assign digitally)
Printable PDF version
Ready-to-use, no prep required
How to Use:
Use on the first day or first week of school
Assign digitally or print for students
Review responses to better understand student needs
Use insights to guide grouping, support, and instruction
Best For:
Upper elementary, middle school, and high school
Classroom teachers
Homeschool educators
Small group or advisory settings
Why Teachers Love It:
Quick and easy to implement
Flexible for different learners
Meaningful without being overwhelming
Helps you actually use student information, not just collect it
