10 Things Every Teacher Must Do On The First Day of School

10 Things Every Teacher Must Do on the First Day of School to Ensure a Successful Year

The first day of school sets the tone for the entire academic year. As a teacher, it’s crucial to hit the ground running with the right strategies to make your students feel welcomed, establish classroom routines, and create an environment conducive to learning. Here are 10 must-do activities to ensure your school year starts smoothly and productively.

1. Greet Your Students with a Warm Welcome

As your students enter the school, be there to greet them. A simple “Good morning” and a smile go a long way in calming their nerves. This is not the time to catch up with colleagues—you want your students to feel comfortable and welcome from the moment they step into the building.
Download a teacher greeting checklist to keep track of your first-day interactions.

2. Have Work Ready for Them Immediately

From the moment they walk into the classroom, there should be something for them to do. An interest inventory or a simple “What I Did Over the Summer” writing prompt will keep them engaged and help you gather valuable insights. Establishing a work-first mentality will set the tone for the rest of the year.
Find creative first-day activities or download printable interest inventories to get started.

3. Make Time for Introductions

Students need to feel like they are part of a community. Help them introduce themselves to the class by using fun games or activities. This helps break the ice and makes students feel more comfortable.
Check out team-building games for kids or interactive classroom introduction activities to create an engaging environment.

4. Build Classroom Community

Creating a sense of community from day one helps set the tone for a cooperative classroom. Organize simple team-building exercises to foster collaboration and respect among students. When students feel connected, they’re more likely to help each other succeed throughout the year.
Discover engaging team-building activities to boost classroom community on the first day.

5. Teach Procedures Gradually

Don’t overwhelm students with too much information at once. Instead, teach classroom procedures as they become necessary. For example, discuss lunchroom behavior right before lunch or explain your homework routine at the end of the day. Gradually introducing these expectations helps avoid information overload.
For a detailed guide on effective classroom management strategies, visit this link.

6. Enforce Rules from the Start

Don’t make the mistake of waiting to enforce rules. Even on the first day, introduce the rules (or create them together with your students) and make sure everyone understands the consequences of breaking them. Enforcing rules from day one sets clear expectations and prevents future classroom management issues.
Check out classroom rules templates and behavior management apps that can help you create a structured environment.

7. Have a Q&A Session

On the first day, allow students to ask questions about school or even about you. Providing a 3×5 index card for students to write down their questions helps those who are too shy to ask aloud. This session allows you to connect with your students, helping them see that you’re approachable and human too.
Learn more about fun teacher-student Q&A activities to foster relationships from the start.

8. Incorporate Reading Time

Demonstrate the importance of literacy by setting aside time for reading, even on the first day. Whether it’s a fun picture book or a short story, this encourages students to see reading as an enjoyable part of their school day.
Check out book recommendations for elementary classrooms and find engaging read-aloud activities to captivate your students’ attention.

9. Observe and Assess Early

You don’t need to dive into formal testing right away, but observation is key. By paying attention to how students interact with one another and respond to tasks, you can start forming ideas about seating arrangements, group work pairings, and areas of academic strength and weakness.
Explore free assessment tools for teachers to track progress right from day one.

10. Ease Their Nerves by Previewing the Year

Your students may be feeling anxious about the unknowns of the school year. Take some time to “preview” what they will learn throughout the year, much like a movie trailer. Highlight exciting projects or subjects to come, and remind them that they’ll be guided step-by-step through everything.
Download a teacher’s guide to managing first-day anxiety or explore resources on student mental health to ensure a smooth transition.

In Conclusion

The first day of school can be overwhelming, but with these 10 steps, you’ll ensure a structured, welcoming, and engaging environment that sets the foundation for success. Remember to be prepared, build relationships, and establish clear expectations from the very start. Your students will thank you later with a year of productive learning.

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