Ariel Skelly for Weekly Reader

Here they come—your new batch of students and the first week of school. What can you do to set the right tone during those crucial initial days?

Weekly Reader asked teachers to share their best tips for starting the year off well.

Do you have a specific routine or tradition for your first day of school?
I always read It Happens to Everyone to my class. It’s a short book that talks about the mishaps a teacher and her student go through on the first day of school. Then we discuss how we felt in the morning and how it’s okay to be nervous. [Next] we do the yarn trick where they all cut off a piece of yarn at whatever length they want. I do this also. I slowly wind my yarn around my finger as I tell about myself. Then one at a time everyone else tells about themselves.– Mary Cook, grade 3, Sturgis Elementary School, Sturgis, SD

I send a letter home before school begins asking each child to bring in a photo of themselves doing something they learned when they were younger. On the first day, the pictures are matched with names. On the second day, we start talking about the pictures. I bring in one of me as well from when I was a child. I start talking about the picture of me. After hearing about me, they are eager to talk about themselves. …
The other activity that I always do on the first few days is to make shape (circle, triangle, square, rectangle) puzzles out of brightly colored cardboard. Before cutting the shape into puzzle pieces, I print a name on each one. The children put together the puzzle, identify and read their name. They are thrilled to complete this successfully. Then we put the child's name puzzle in a baggie. Each child gets a baggie that is not his/her own and they put the puzzle together. The children read the name of the new classmate find their new friend.  – Lisa Shook, Kindergarten, Venable Elementary School, Charlottesville, VA

I have an introductory sheet I have the kids fill out about themselves. I ask, “What’s a goal you’ve set for yourself?” Then I share my own goal. I have them fill out envelopes with their addresses. At the end of the year, I mail the goal back to the kids with a note. – Coleen Keffeler, culinary arts, grades 9-12, Sturgis High School, Sturgis, SD

We go over the syllabus and expectations. Since I teach theater, we rehearse certain procedures. We then begin our first assignment that focuses on design and performance: a personal collage and intro monologue. I am hoping to do this on Glogster this year. – Andrew Corbin, theater arts, grades 9-12, Southwest Guilford High School, High Point, NC

Has your approach to your first day (or days) of school changed over the years? If so, how?
I used to go over the rules and believe that we did it once so they should know how to behave or what is expected of them by now (third grade). I have since realized that we all take quite a while to figure new routines out and that practice, lots of it, is good for all. – Mary Cook

Definitely. As you gain more experience and confidence you are able to focus less on what you are doing and how to do it. This allows the teacher to better tune in to the students needs. Some groups of kids may need to take the first day more slowly and may need some extra time to get to know the kids. Other groups may be more mature and be able to fly through the day with ease. The goal is to have the children leave the first day confident and encouraged, not overwhelmed. – Kristen McShane, grade 4, The Wheatlands Elementary School, Aurora, IL

I used to be very autocratic in my first years because the "classroom management" rhetoric was crammed down our throats. I try now to work more as a facilitator and coach. The class is a team—or rather, ensemble. I may be the director, but we all can learn from each other.  – Andrew Corbin

What memories do you have of your first day as a new teacher? What did you do right—or wrong?
I was so nervous that I didn’t even introduce myself. I told the class nothing about me and started rattling off tasks to get the supplies in order. I look back and laugh. The following years I made it a point to spend at least 20 minutes telling them about me, showing pictures of my family and answering questions to help earn their trust. – Kristen McShane

I was nervous, but I tried not to let the students see that! I team teach, so I almost got to take a back seat on the first day. I wasn’t all by myself. I learned as we went along. – Katie Saxe, physical education, grades 5-8, Jefferson Middle School, Oak Ridge, TN

What’s your best strategy for ensuring yearlong success in the first days of school?
I read in Harry Wong’s First Days of School how important it is to show your students your confidence. They are very nervous and need to know they are following an adult that is in charge, prepared, and competent. I now always tell my students that feeling nervous is very normal but that they should know I am organized, prepared, and know exactly what to do. If they follow me and trust me, everything will be okay and they will be safe. I like to use the phrase “I will take care of you.” You can see and feel the worry melt away. – Kristen McShane

Think about what behaviors you truly want or don't want and think through how these can be accomplished and then follow through. Keep in mind the big picture of what you are trying to accomplish as far as learning and write down approximate times that these goals can be met. Also keep in mind these are someone else's children and treat them with care. – Mary Cook

Setting clear expectations from day one allows the children to be successful, if they know what is expected then they know what to do. Consistency is key from the start. If the children are comfortable and trust their teacher they will be eager to learn, share and try new things. ... [Also,] always make the parents feel welcome. Give them specific jobs. They can be very useful. – Lisa Shook

We set the foundation: go over the rules, set expectations…The kids don’t like change, so start out the year with how you want things to be. – Katie Saxe

Don't be afraid to ask the students questions. We may have a classroom management plan that works for us, but the students are great at working with you to find their style.  Yes, you are the teacher, but we are developing students for careers that are collaborative and have not even been created. If students know they are trusted and can feel a since of shared power they will go anywhere with you. – Andrew Corbin

Try to find a connection [with students]. We have reading time; twelve minutes at the start of a block. If I see books that kids are reading that I’ve read, then that’s a connection. I ask, ‘What books are you reading?’ [From their recommendations,] I’ve read a lot of authors I might not have.” – Coleen Keffeler

Keep the conversation going! Please add your experiences in our comments section.