Starting off on the right foot can make all the
difference. Here are some things to consider as you
plan.
GET YOURSELF READY
 Take care of yourself!
*Sleep as much as you can the week before
you report to work. The first week is exhausting.
*The start of school is definitely the hardest time,
and things WILL get easier!
*If you’re close to having a nervous breakdown and
school hasn’t even begun yet, be encouraged! It
is normal.
 STRESS MANAGEMENT ACTIVITY
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS
 Be nice to the school secretary and the
custodian. They know the school, the
students, and the neighborhood. They
can help you.
*Ask about attendance and lunch count procedures.
Find out how to get an e-mail.
*Choose a teacher at your grade level or in a nearby
classroom and ask if he or she would be available to
answer questions or give friendly advice during the
first few weeks of school. Let that teacher know that
you're open to suggestions and eager to learn.
*You should be assigned a mentor. If not, seek out
someone—ask questions!
ESTABLISH THE
EXPECTATIONS/GUIDELINES
 Start off by establishing expectations (no
more than five) right at the beginning. Let
students help you develop and establish
the expectations. They will be more likely
to follow them. They should be posted in
the classroom and sent home so parents
will know. Be sure to include
consequences and privileges.
*Our Guidelines (flip book)
*Class Promise
*Create, introduce, model, and reinforce procedures
and routines.
*Morning Routine
*Share parent letters explaining classroom
expectations and consequences.
Class Promise
Today is a new day!
I will act in a safe and healthy way.
I will respect the rights of others.
I will treat all property with respect.
I will take responsibility for my learning.
Today I will be the best me I can be!
Morning Routine
Have a clear procedure of your morning routine
written on a poster. Hang it in the room so that
when your students enter the room they know
exactly what is expected of them.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Hang up coat and backpack
Put homework in bin
Make lunch choice
Sharpen pencil
Work on self-start quietly at desk.
GET ORGANIZED
 This is essential!!!
The more organizational thinking, planning,
and work you can do before school starts, the better
off you will be.
*Long Range Planner
*Dealing with Paperwork!
(Set up a sensible organizational system from
day one)
*Class List
*Organizational Ideas (baskets for supplies,
sharpening pencils, ways students go home)
BUILD TEAM
SPIRIT/CLASSROOM COMMUNITY
 You might give your class a name, such as “The
Bumblebees from Room Three.”
*Happy Sack
Take an ordinary brown paper lunch sack and decorate it
with smiley faces. Each day when someone sees an act of
kindness or notices another classmate being nice, have
them write it down on a slip of paper. Put the note into
the "Happy Sack". On Friday, go through the Happy Sack
and read all of the wonderful things going on in the
classroom.
A Circle of Friends
We've joined together as classmates
as the new year begins...
A year full of learning
while we become friends.
We'll share and be kind
as we work and play.
And our friendship will grow
with each passing day.
DEVELOP RESOURCES
 Know where to get help when you need it.
DO YOUR BEST
 Determine what factors are likely to keep you
from doing your job during the school year.
Then figure out a way to work around them.
For example: How will you work with too
many students in your class? How will you
deal with the wide range of student abilities?
How will you deal with disruptive students?
APPRECIATE THE SMALL THINGS
 Give yourself a lift by focusing on the
positive…the student who tells you that he or
she learned something that first week of
school.
BE REALISTIC
 You will spend many hours beyond the
school day preparing lessons, preparing
paperwork, and critiquing student work.
Identify times when you will not think about
your professional life, and instead
concentrate on your physical, emotional,
and social well-being.
*Don’t let classroom problems affect your emotional
wellbeing and your ability to enjoy life away from
school.
*Make a real effort to be happy. Your students need
a joyful teacher each day!
BE PREPARED FOR SPECIAL
STUDENTS
 You may have students with special learning
problems or physical handicaps. Don’t expect
those problems to work themselves out. Plan
from the beginning how you will deal with them
in the best interests of the students, yourself,
and the rest of the class.
THINK ABOUT HEALTH
 Make an early determination about how you will
handle students with special health problems. Do
you know what to do if a student is subject to
epileptic seizures? What about administering
medicine to students? Talk with the school nurse.
FIND A SHOULDER
 Look for a colleague to turn to for special advice
or simply to unburden yourself about a specific
classroom challenge.
GET PARENTS INVOLVED
 Is there any special way to approach parentteacher conferences? Are there any particular
messages you want to send home to parents?
How will you deal with parents who want to
help their students learn?
*Volunteer Sign-Up Sheet
*The parents of students in your classroom can help
make your job easier, by volunteering in your class
or supporting behavior programs at home.
*Homework Assignment Sheet
*A Reading Guide for Parents
*Reading Homework Sheet
*Pre-conference Form
*Meeting with Parents Face to Face
*Dealing with Angry Parents
COMMUNICATE WITH PARENTS
 Send a note home early in the year to
introduce yourself. Let parents know that
you are available, and list the process and
times for getting in touch with you.
*Dear Parents (Introduction Letter)
*Dear Parents (Behavior Mangement Plan)
*Teacher-Parent Communication
*Share Examples of Class Newsletters
“Communicate clearly with parents from the start and
you’ll have a band of allies to make your entire year flow
more smoothly.”
PLAN YOUR LESSONS
 Develop your lessons from the curriculum
objectives for that grade level.
*It’s better to over plan for the first week
MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION
 Get organized and show your students and
their parents that you are prepared and
know what you are doing. Project
confidence!
START OFF SLOWLY
 During the first grading period, while the
material is not too difficult, go over the
content slowly enough that most students
can find some success.
SET A POSITIVE TONE
 Send a positive note home with every
student at some time during the first
grading period. Catch the students being
good.
KEEP THE PRINCIPAL INFORMED
 If you plan to do anything new or unusual
this year, make certain you mention it to
your principal in advance.
BRIEF YOUR STUDENTS
 Let your students know exactly what you
expect of them. Most students will rise to
the teacher’s expectations.
REMEMBER THREE QUALITIES OF
GOOD TEACHING
 Be flexible, be patient, and keep your sense
of humor.