No matter how long you’ve been teaching, the first day back holds a special kind of anticipation for teachers and students alike. Personally, the back to school dreams start appearing around mid-August regardless of how chilled out I think I am about going back to work. As I figure out our first week in school I always try to remind myself of the most important components of starting a school year strong!

·     Make sure every child feels safe, secure and welcome.

·     Teach the students to understand the class rules and school expectations.

·     Foster a sense of community and trust in our class.

·     Explicitly teach routines and procedures for getting around the classroom and school.

Tip 1: Be Prepared

Before the kids arrive I try to have the class library and main work areas or display boards set up so that we can do a full classroom tour. I also make place names for each child and have them stuck to their desk so they can find their seat with ease when they arrive. The only other thing I have on the desks is a large basket which will hold pencil cases and their library book. I always have my plan for the day (with timings) written down on my desk for reference. If I haven’t hadn’t out stationary lists in June, I will have them ready for the kids to take home. You can find a free download for these lists here.

Tip 2: Rules and Expectations

I know what you’re thinking – day one and diving straight into the rules, give the kids a break! – but, no. I spend a LOT of time discussing the class expectations on day one. Our school follows a discipline system that has 7 rules set in stone so we read each one individually, as a class and discuss IN DEPTH. I try to make this as engaging as possible by including mime games and pair discussion.

Tip 3: Slow Down

Remember, you have a year with these kids. Don’t jam-pack your day with tonnes of activities and worksheets. You want to create a calm atmosphere and not overwhelm the students on day one.

Tip 4: Get to know your students!

Spend time talking to children individually and in groups. I always do some form of craft activity on day one (normally scrap paper bookmarks) and take this opportunity to chat with each child and share things about my life too!

Tip 5: Be CLEAR on procedures

Spending time on procedures is the number one thing I do for the month of September. I make sure each child knows the procedure…

• To gather materials, such as colouring pencils: The table leader goes to the correct drawer, gathers, and distributes to his/her table.

• If you finish work early: Read quietly, help a friend or grab an Early Finishers Busy Stick. (You can find my literacy, math and arts activities here)

•  To return materials: The table leader gathers and returns materials from his/her table.

• If you need the toilet: Make the T sign with your hands, get a nod of approval and go! I make sure the kids know that they can go to the toilet without permission if they can’t grab my attention within a couple of seconds.

• For homework: homework copy and journals are left open at the top of each desk first thing each morning.

Tip 6: Get them writing – even if it is a few words!

Use a starter activity that will give you an idea of where the children are starting from. I like to do a small piece of writing on the first day and have included some templates in the link below.

Tip 7: Spread some positivity!

I try to give each child a compliment during the day and love to hand out some Positive Notes Home at the end of the day. This helps build good relationships with parents from the beginning of the year and gives the kids something to work towards for Day 2! You can download these on my TPT store here.

Bonus Tip: Have fun!

However nervous you may feel, try to relax and enjoy the day. Enjoy your students’ company and make sure they have a reason to skip in the door on day two!

I’ve created a download that explains my first day in detail. Follow the link below to start your planning for your perfect first day!

Hope you have a great first week back at school. Let me know what fun activities you’ll be up to in the comments below!

Happy Teaching!

Claire