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

Looking Ahead to Next Year: The First Day of School

The start of the year is such an important time for students, the time when we help them see that school is a safe place where they’re valued, a place ...

Professional Development and Community School Leaders and Administration Whole School

Seven Tips for Meaningful Collaboration With Other Teachers

Like many educators these days, the teachers in my building have new initiatives added to our plates each year. We need (and want!) to collaborate as a faculty about them, but it's difficult for us to find time to meet as a group. At my school we've found a solution that works well for us, and I wanted to share it with you.

Child & Adolescent Development Positive Community SEL Skills

Restoring the Developmental Lens in K-12 Education

Children are complex, growing human beings—each on a unique developmental journey. In Yardsticks: Child and Adolescent Development Ages 4—14, Chip Wood reminds us that teaching is not just about managing ...

The First Weeks of School

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

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

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

A Little-Known Fact About Me: A Morning Meeting Greeting

Elementary School Morning Meeting The First Weeks of School

A Little-Known Fact About Me: A Morning Meeting Greeting

New City School K-8: A Responsive Classroom School from the Start

Classroom Organization The First Weeks of School

New City School K-8: A Responsive Classroom School from the Start

Three Ways to Welcome Students to a New School Year

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 Secret to Student Success: Interactive Modeling

Classroom Management & Discipline Interactive Modeling The First Weeks of School

The Secret to Student Success: Interactive Modeling

Ten Ways to Set Up Your New Classroom for Success, Literally!

Classroom Management & Discipline Classroom Organization Interactive Modeling Special Times in the Year The First Weeks of School

Ten Ways to Set Up Your New Classroom for Success, Literally!

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

A Successful Start to the Year: One School’s Story of Adults Making a Difference by Working Together

First Weeks of School Positive Community The First Day of School The First Weeks of School Whole School Community

A Successful Start to the Year: One School’s Story of Adults Making a Difference by Working Together

Responding to Learning Loss

Getting Started The First Day of School The First Weeks of School

Responding to Learning Loss

Starting the Year Off with Joy

First Weeks of School Interactive Modeling The First Weeks of School

Starting the Year Off with Joy

Self-Assessment and Goal Setting Go Hand in Hand

Joyful Classrooms Rule Creation The First Weeks of School