Don't invest much time in icebreakers. I have never made a connection through an ice-breaking activity, sorry. Instead, invest in something meaningful as a community, such as a connection map, or a student-designed tour of the classroom, or anything that the students can work on as a team challenge. If they can focus on a task rather than the act of connecting, the community building will naturally start to evolve.

students get to make decorating choices as well as furniture setup decisions. Start learning. I know I said to go easy on curriculum the first week, but do get started with something right away. The students are ready to learn because they cannot wait to see what it will be like in this new grade.