What are some activities I should try with my 6th graders the first few days of school?

I usually hate ice breakers...but then I think I'm outnumbered. The one I do like that might help ease the tension of pre-testing and start building a community is the one where you tape names of famous people/characters on their backs that they can't see, and they have to guess who they are by asking yes and no questions of their peers. The kids like running around, and though it's no "interest inventory," it does get them talking.

This would work well enough with 5 or 6, I think but if you have 3 or 4, it might be less fun. In the case of the smaller group, you might have them write letters to you about themselves, what they like and don't like in school. Or you could have a discussion about things they've read and enjoyed not enjoyed (back to Goodnight Moon if necessary!), maybe make a chart of what makes a book good or not good.

I'm not sure what to offer as far as math, as I specialize in high school English, but hopefully you've got your brain working on it now.

I'm not sure how severe the disorders are...but to get them back in practice....since it is language arts and reading...have them write a short summary of their summer..after everyone is finished they will pass it to their neighbor who will read it. The person who reads will report to the class what the writer did over the summer. for math...maybe have a jar of MnMs of all colors and they must estimate how many are in the jar...then when you get back from Labor Day..you will tell how many are in there and then the MnMs can be used to learn about probability. Give each student a lilttle cup of them each having the same number overall and of each color. Have them count the total amount and have them write it at the bottom of the chalkboard (the kids love to write on those things) then have them count the amount of yellow ones have them draw a line and write it on the top of the chalkboard...and explain that the probability of picking a yellow one out of all of the ones they have is.....2/10...or whatever. Also..I really like it when the class sits in the circle. It helps everyone to participate and pay attention. Also, talk about the rules of the class/school. Give them good tips to study. Do a quiz to see what their learning style is..this will help you out.

talk about what i did on my vacation the places the children saw and the news ( current events in stories i can immage the children may have problems writing but most kid s have great immaginations how about record the children talking about there trips

How in the world did you make it through college? Or student teaching? You have so little imagination it's pitiful!