Prepared Classroom: 
The First Days of School

Where to start? We've got you covered.

Use this page as a guide to help you narrow in on the most important lessons for those crucial first days, while reminding you to stay flexible and responsive to the students in front of you. Some of these resources are available here on the website, some of them can be found in Prepared Classroom: Ready to Teach, Ready to Learn, and some can be found both places. 

This is your roadmap for a strong, smooth start.

Days 1—3: Build the Foundation through Relationships and Routines

The first few days are all about connection and clarity. Focus on building relationships, teaching how to enter and exit the room, practicing sitting on the carpet, and introducing a few key routines like lining up and responding to the quiet signal. Think small, simple, and consistent—students will feel secure when they know what to expect. 

• Learn and practice how to enter the room
• Teach joining the gathering area (book pg. 156)
• Introduce and model your quiet signal (book pg. 169)
• Practice walking in the halls and lining up (book pg. 176 & 178)
• Teach and practice transitions (book pg. 184)
• Name pronunciation lesson (showing respect and belonging) (book pg. 119)
• Classroom tour (book pg. 161)
• Relationship building lessons (see below)

Days 4—5: Build Independence through Engagement and Ownership

By Days 4 and 5, students are ready to start taking more ownership of their learning. This is the time to build independence by guiding them toward active engagement and giving them opportunities to practice responsibility. Laying this foundation early helps create a classroom where students feel capable and invested.

• Practice choosing a good-fit book (book Pg. 198)
• Teach Set a purpose for learning
• Teach What is Engagement? (book pg. 199)
• Begin independent learning with independent reading (start small, celebrate growth) (book pg. 201)
• Model how to work independently (hands, eyes, ears, mouth, mind)
• First “get to know you” conferences to connect with students one-on-one 
• Continue relationship building lessons (see below)

Week 2 and Beyond: Deepen Learning and Relationships

As you move into Week 2 and beyond, the foundation you’ve built in those first few days really starts to pay off. Now it’s time to deepen learning and relationships by reinforcing routines, setting class goals, and introducing collaborative work. With trust and structure in place, students are ready to take on more meaningful academic learning and grow together as a community.

• Continue practicing and reinforcing routines daily
• Layer in collaborative learning expectations
• Set learning goals as a class (book pg. 241)
• Teach Active Listening (book pg. 235)
• Hold engagement conferences with those who would benefit (book pg. 227)
• Continue to build relationships (see below)
• Begin first academic lessons using the foundation you’ve built 

Before Students Arrive

Before students arrive, take time to set up your classroom in a way that’s functional, inviting, and ready for learning — it doesn’t have to be perfect, just prepare key resources. These early steps help you start the year organized and build positive connections from day one.

✔️ Get your room ready (simple, functional, inviting — not perfect!) 
✔️ Prepare your Guest Teacher Folder
✔️ Plan your Open House: greet families, showcase routines, share excitement
✔️ Meet Your Teacher
 

Relationship Builders

Building strong relationships with students is a year-round process that goes beyond the first days of school. These lessons help you connect, understand, and support your students in meaningful ways, fostering a positive classroom community. Use them consistently to maintain trust, engagement, and a sense of belonging throughout the year.

• First week phone calls (book pg. 11)
• Respectful Communication (book pg. 145)
• True, True, False (book pg. 131)
• Me Too!  (book pg. 127)
• Would you rather? (book pg. 132)
• I Wish My Teacher Knew (book pg. 140)
• All About Me (book pg. 19)
• Find Someone Who: Relationship Bingo

Back to School Read Alouds

Back-to-school read-alouds are a great way to set the tone for the year while modeling reading habits and discussion skills. The books we suggest come with extended learning activities to help students engage more deeply with the story and connect it to their own experiences. Use these read-alouds to spark conversation, build community, and kick off meaningful learning from day one.

• Mean Jean the Recess Queen
• All Are Welcome
• My Mouth is a Volcano
• Our Class is a Family

These resources aren’t everything you’ll do in the first weeks of school, but they’re a starting point to bring focus and confidence to what can feel overwhelming. 

Use this guide to get going, then make it your own—tweak, add, and adapt as you learn what works best for your students. With the strategies in Prepared Classroom: Ready to Teach, Ready to Learn and our website resources, you can revisit, refresh, and strengthen your routines all year long—building a classroom where students thrive, feel supported, and stay engaged every day.