Plan for your first day of school

Welcome to your classroom! You’ve prepared a long time for this first day of teaching, but it's natural to have the jitters. Starting a new career is a stressful life change. But you can help calm those nerves if you take time before school starts to plan a great year.

Visit the school. Drive through the neighborhood a few times, see where your students live and play, and familiarize yourself with the building.
Contact families before school starts (or plan to do so in the first weeks). Make a phone call to each parent to introduce yourself and your goals, or write a note or visit families at home.
Learn school rules, policies and procedures before school starts.
Introduce yourself to colleagues. Other teachers in your building can help you greatly in your first weeks. Also get acquainted with school secretaries, education assistants, custodians, counselors, librarians and cafeteria workers.
Prepare your room. Make it friendly and inviting with pictures, a colorful bulletin board, plants and other accessories.
Get your materials ready. Have pencils, paper, books and blank forms on hand. Don’t forget essentials such as paper towels or a needle and thread for emergency repairs. Have a list of school supplies ready for students to give to parents. Don’t assume students will bring supplies the first day.
Make a detailed schedule for the first few days, including times for each subject, restroom and lunch breaks, and other occasions when students will leave the room. Post topics and times for students.
Plan your lessons for the first few days. Plan at least twice as much as you think you can cover, and plan extra “filler” activities as well. Write everything down in detail so you’ll feel more secure when you face your class for the first time.

January 19, 2009