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.

Classroom Management & Discipline Special Times in the Year

The Last Six Weeks of School

The school year is drawing to a close. It’s been a year filled with many learning experiences for the children and for you. Though learning doesn’t end just because school does, it’s good to help children bring a sense of closure to the year of classroom learning. This article highlights the benefits of doing so and offers some suggestions that you can easily adapt for children of different ages.

Closure activities help wrap up the year on a positive note and provide children with many benefits:

Families Positive Community Whole School Community

Resources for Educators and Parents Guiding Children Through Traumatic Events

Our appreciation for social media grew quite a bit when we asked "Educators, how was the day?" on the Responsive Classroom Facebook page on Monday afternoon, and over 100 people responded. We were so glad to hear from you! Your stories reflect the range of what elementary educators are going through this week after the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Engaging Academics Uncategorized

The Nation’s Report Card Is a Call to Action

Dear Valued Community, The National Assessment Governing Board, the independent, nonpartisan board that sets policy for the Nation’s Report Card (NAEP), recently released the results from the 2024 assessment for ...

The First Weeks 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

Read-Alouds for the Beginning of the Year

Elementary School First Weeks of School The First Weeks of School

Read-Alouds for the Beginning of the 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

Self-Assessment and Goal Setting Go Hand in Hand

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

The First 12 Weeks of PE

First Weeks of School Special Area Classrooms The First Weeks of School Whole School

The First 12 Weeks of PE

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