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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.

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

Three Ways to Welcome Students to a New School Year

The beginning of the school year is full of emotion for teachers and students alike. Some students embrace the new year with excitement and anticipation, while others cautiously enter it ...

Child & Adolescent Development First Weeks of School The First Day of School

Five Things Every Teacher Should Do on the First Day of School

There is such a sense of potential that comes with the freshly sharpened pencils, organized supplies, and stacks of books waiting to be handed out at the start of a ...

Families First Weeks of School

Six Strategies for Partnering With Families at the Start of the School Year

One of the most important predictors for students’ success in school, according to the nonprofit organization The Global Family Research Project, is family engagement (Weiss, Lopez, and Caspe 2018). So, ...

First Weeks of School

What Is Your Favorite Part of a Responsive Classroom Course?

Morning Meeting Rule Creation Teacher Language

What Is Your Favorite Part of a Responsive Classroom Course?

Four Ways to Strengthen Family Involvement

Elementary School Families First Weeks of School

Four Ways to Strengthen Family Involvement

I’m Not Acting as Role Model, I’m Serving as a Role Model: A Conversation with Authors Julie Kelly and Kirsten Howard

Elementary School Interactive Modeling Positive Teacher Language SEL Skills Teacher Language

I’m Not Acting as Role Model, I’m Serving as a Role Model: A Conversation with Authors Julie Kelly and Kirsten Howard

Empowering Educators to Get to Know Their Students: A Conversation with Authors Andy Moral and Heather Young

Adolescent Development Classroom Organization Discipline Elementary School First Weeks of School Middle School Morning Meeting Morning Meeting Movement Breaks The First Weeks of School

Empowering Educators to Get to Know Their Students: A Conversation with Authors Andy Moral and Heather Young

Peanut Butter, Grape Jelly Song

Brain Breaks and Motivators Energizers Energizers & Activities First Weeks of School Morning Meeting The First Day of School Whole School Gatherings

Peanut Butter, Grape Jelly Song