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First Weeks of School

Articles

“There’s something fresh and exciting about a new school year—a sense of boundless optimism and crisp new beginnings. And every year, the first few weeks present us with a wonderful opportunity to help students transition smoothly back into school routines and start to connect with each other. It’s an ideal time to begin showing them that school is a safe place, that they’re important members of the classroom and school communities, and that they can look forward to an engaging, challenging, and fun year of learning.”

— from The First Six Weeks of School

You can find our latest articles on the first weeks of school below.

Explore our comprehensive library of free articles to learn more about how you can create safe, joyful, and engaging classroom and school communities for both students and teachers.

Professional Development and Community Whole School

What Makes Professional Development Last?

Professional learning often comes with high hopes and significant investment, but its impact can fade if it is not connected to and integrated into daily practice. School leaders know that ...

Classroom Management & Discipline Classroom Organization

Displaying Student Work

A classroom filled with the work of children is a delight to be in and sends a message to students that their work and their learning are important. Although early in the school year, the teacher might do much of the display planning and caretaking, as the year progresses, students can take an increasingly active role in displaying their work. There are several ways in which children can be involved. They can simply choose pieces of their own work that they give to the teacher to assemble into a display.

School Leaders and Administration Whole School

Five Things Successful Principals Do

Being a principal is one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs in education. Great principals balance leadership, empathy, and vision while managing countless responsibilities, from supporting teachers to ensuring ...

First Weeks of School

Investing Middle and High School Students in Classroom Rules

First Weeks of School High School Middle School Rule Creation

Investing Middle and High School Students in Classroom Rules

Start the School Year Strong With a First Day of School Teacher Checklist

First Weeks of School The First Day of School

Start the School Year Strong With a First Day of School Teacher Checklist

Creating a Place for Learning

Classroom Management & Discipline Classroom Organization First Weeks of School

Creating a Place for Learning

This Room Was Made for You and Me

Classroom Management & Discipline Classroom Organization Elementary School First Weeks of School

This Room Was Made for You and Me

Looking Ahead to Next Year: The First Day of School

First Weeks of School Interactive Modeling The First Day of School The First Weeks of School

Looking Ahead to Next Year: The First Day of School

Revisiting Classroom Rules

Classroom Management & Discipline Discipline Rule Creation

Revisiting Classroom Rules

Our Hopes and Dreams for School

First Weeks of School Hopes and Dreams Interactive Modeling

Our Hopes and Dreams for School

8:00 a.m.: I’m at the Classroom Door

First Weeks of School Positive Community The First Weeks of School

8:00 a.m.: I’m at the Classroom Door

I Want to Be a Dentist!

First Weeks of School Hopes and Dreams

I Want to Be a Dentist!

Learning Names At the Start of the Year

First Weeks of School The First Day of School The First Weeks of School

Learning Names At the Start of the Year

Teachers’ Hopes and Goals

First Weeks of School Hopes and Dreams

Teachers’ Hopes and Goals

Interactive Modeling: Putting Away Test Materials

First Weeks of School Interactive Modeling

Interactive Modeling: Putting Away Test Materials

Extra Support with Transitions

First Weeks of School Interactive Modeling

Extra Support with Transitions

Interactive Modeling: Responding to a Signal

Classroom Management & Discipline First Weeks of School Interactive Modeling Interactive Modeling

Interactive Modeling: Responding to a Signal

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