The articles and advice featured in this slideshow can help you prepare for your first day of teaching. You'll find teaching methods and strategies for new teachers, as well as answers to frequently asked questions.
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Mom putting son on bus

Preparing for the First Day of School

Learn how to get off to a great start communicating with parents during the first week of school. This article describes ways to introduce yourself to parents, and offers helpful tips for writing letters to send home with students. It also discusses the benefits of getting parents involved in their children's school.
Girl smiling

First Questions First

This article is full of ideas on how to introduce yourself to your students and get to know one another. Alleviate your nervousness as a new teacher and calm your students' fears by focusing on four areas: personality, building a community, routines and schedules, and self-determination.
Kids with bulletin board

FAQs for the First Days of School

This article offers advice to help new teachers prepare for the first days of school. Find answers to common concerns about seating arrangements, what to wear, how to welcome and introduce yourself to new students, and how to learn students' names quickly.
Students outside school

Thinking About the First Day of School

The tips in this article will help you make a great impression on the first day of school. Learn how to set first-day goals, and find an effective teaching stance that fits your personality.
Students next to school bus

First Day at the Elementary Level

Prepare yourself for your first day of teaching at the elementary level with the suggestions and activities in this article. New teachers will find tips and ideas for getting to know their students, discussing rules and procedures, assigning classroom jobs, and organizing first-day tasks.
Girls talking

First Day at the Secondary Level

The suggested sequence of first-day tasks and procedures will help new teachers prepare for their first day of teaching at the secondary level. This article includes tips on outlining the syllabus, ideas for homework assignments, and suggestions for fun activities.
Teacher and student at computer

Offering Students Choices from Day One

Discover a variety of options you can offer students when it comes to classroom assignments, presentations, assessment, and homework. Personalize your classroom with suggested teaching methods and strategies that give each student a choice.
Girl with hand raised

Creating a Physical Learning Environment

Create a warm and inviting classroom environment for the first day of school. This article provides tips for creating a physical learning environment through different configurations of students' desks.
Boy pulling girl's hair

Bully-Proof Your Classroom

"Bully-proofing" your classroom creates a physically and emotionally safe environment for students. The tips in this article will help you set behavior expectations, teach students how to handle minor incidents on their own, and establish a safe way for students to communicate with you and their peers about acts of bullying.
Students and teacher outside

Getting to Know Each Other

Use icebreakers during the first few weeks of school to help students get to know you and each other. This article suggests several fun, educational activities that will build community in your classroom and help you establish a strong student-teacher rapport. Icebreakers will help your students learn each other's names, discover similarities, and reveal interests.

Featured High School Resources

Poetry Packet for High School

ACTIVITIES

National Poetry Month Themed Packet for High School

To celebrate Poetry Month, this resource shares 3 activities that will help high school students to engage with poetry i...

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Romeo and Juliet Teaching Unit Kit

LESSON PLANS

Romeo and Juliet Teaching Unit Kit

A complete teaching kit for a full or partial unit on Romeo and Juliet Take your students on a thought-provoking, insig...

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lesson plans for animal farm - kit for a complete unit on the novel

LESSON PLANS

Animal Farm Teaching Unit Kit

Everything you need to teach a full or partial unit on Animal Farm Help your students dive into the modern relevance, m...

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Related Resources

Positive Descriptions of student behavior

TEACHING RESOURCE

Positive Descriptions of Student Behavior

Positive Descriptions of Student Behavior Discover the power of words with our guide to positive descriptions of stud...

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EDITOR'S COLLECTIONS

Customizable Passes for New Teachers

Discover customizable passes for sending students to the library, the nurse, the bathroom, or the guidance office.

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First Day of School FAQs

TEACHING RESOURCE

FAQs for the First Days of School

FAQs for the First Days of School Teaching is the only profession with a "New Year's Eve" and a first day each and eve...

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REFERENCE

Coaching for Interview Questions

What kind of teacher are you? Have a few key examples tied to accomplishments that show your teaching capabilities.

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REFERENCE

Common-Sense Test Taking

There are timeless test-taking strategies that can be appliedto any testing situation.

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TeacherVision's Favorite Tips & Advice for the First Day of School

The first day of school is a nervous and exciting time! Put yourself at ease with our favorite teaching tips and advice.

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