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6 Great Tips for Navigating the First Week of School

Posted 07/12/2024 by by Jessica Kohout @MrsKohout



As summer ends, it's time to think about the most important week of school – the first week! During the first week, we make our initial impressions and set the tone for the year. A good first week can make a huge difference in a classroom environment for the whole year. Here are six ways to make sure that this school year starts off on the right foot.


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Develop a Classroom Community

The first week should be used to get to know your students. Take the time to learn their names, interests, personalities and learning styles. By learning who they are as people and what they are interested in, you can make content more relevant to their lives.

Being able to address a student by name using the correct pronunciation is an easy way to show that you care about them. Play the name game by having each student pick a positive adjective that begins with the same sound as the first letter of their first name. It is a great way to help you and their classmates to remember names and pronunciations.

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Jump Right In

Start with a content lesson on the first day. Get students engaged in a team-building STEM activity like a fun math problem or a science investigation. Make it an easy, enjoyable activity with multiple solutions so that everyone can participate and feel included in the process.

This is the time to observe how the students interact with one another. Make lots of notes on which students are taking the lead, easily distracted, need a little help, or other behaviors that might help in developing groups throughout the year. While you may need to identify any routines as needed for the activities, there isn't a need to cover rules and policies on the very first day.

“The first day should focus on developing a classroom community and demonstrating your passion for the content.”


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Establishing Routines and Expectations

Once you’ve had time to begin establishing a classroom community, make sure students know the routines and expectations you have for them. Classroom norms should be shared and agreed upon. Whether you generate them as a whole group or if they are teacher directed, they should focus on what matters most to everyone in the room. As a teacher, you need to know what specific behaviors are going to set you off.

From how students enter your classroom, turn in homework, use cellphones (or not!), talk or raise hands, make the expectations clear to the students.

For example, I would not allow students to have their cell phones out in my classroom. In fact, a Rutgers University–New Brunswick study published by “Educational Psychology” connects in-class cellphone use with lower test scores. Students are free to check their phones after the bell rings.

My advice: Practice these routines early and often.

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Share Your Values

Take the time to allow students to learn what you value as a teacher. A good way to see what your students think about your values is by having a discussion. By the end of the first week, your students will have developed opinions on the class culture, as well as you as a teacher. Lead a discussion about what they think are their teacher’s values. This can be an insightful way to see what kind of impression you have left on your students and make any adjustments as necessary.

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Explore Free Resources

If you need a refresher on using TI technology, for yourself or your students, check out our free online learning featuring live and on-demand webinars. These resources include back-to-school tech skills webinars and tutorials for the TI-84 Series and TI-Nspire™ CX graphing calculators.

TI’s Pinterest page also offers a plethora of downloads, including:
  • Inspirational and key press posters to decorate your classroom.
  • Quick-start activities.
  • Coloring sheets for when a brain break is needed.
  • Sticker templates to offer reward incentives.

Watch for additional resources being added in the coming weeks to help support your teaching in the new school year.

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Find Time for Yourself

The first week can be quite draining, so make sure you take time to do something you love. Whether that means just getting up and moving, reading a good book, or spending time with family or friends, it’s important to take care of yourself so you can successfully tackle the rest of the year ahead.

Remember, each year is different. This year can be the best one yet!


About the author: Jessica Kohout is the Professional Development Curriculum and Implementation Manager at Texas Instruments Education Technology. She has taught all levels of biology, from on grade level to AP® and marine science at Reservoir High School in Howard County, Maryland. Previously a T³™ National Instructor, Kohout sees technology as a great way to help students make real-life connections with math and science.

AP® is a trademark registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse, TI products. Policies subject to change. Visit www.collegeboard.org.

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