Teacher New Year Classroom Tips: Ringing in the (Teacher) New Year

For teachers, the real new year doesn't begin in January. It begins in August, on the first day of school. This is the season for setting classroom routines, establishing expectations, and intentionally building community from day one. Whether you are planning your first week, rethinking how you launch instruction, or looking for practical back-to-school strategies that actually work, this post offers teacher new year classroom tips to help you start the school year strong and create momentum that lasts all year.

For teachers, the real new year doesn’t begin in January. It begins in August, on the first day of school. This is the season for setting classroom routines, establishing expectations, and intentionally building community from day one. Whether you are planning your first week, rethinking how you launch instruction, or looking for practical back-to-school strategies that actually work, this post offers teacher new year classroom tips to help you start the school year strong and create momentum that lasts all year.

How to Start the School Year Right

It’s almost here. You teachers know what I mean. It’s that bittersweet time of year. Bitter, because we have to pack away our swim suits and all of those half-finished projects we were so gung-ho about at the beginning of summer (yes, I’m talking to you :)). Sweet, because it’s time for a fresh start–a new beginning. It’s time to celebrate the biggest annual holiday for us–The Teacher New Year.

 
Summer is wonderful, but starting a new school year can be wonderful and exciting, too. I'm talking about ringing in the teacher new year in this blog post, so read along to find out how I go about ringing in the teacher new year.

When I first started teaching, a colleague told me, “You will be depressed about everything you didn’t do over the summer the night before pre-planning. You will want to make that last day of summer something to look forward to.”

“Whatever,” I thought. “How can anything about two months off be depressing?”

But you know what? He was right. The night before the first day of pre-planning for my second year teaching, I was miserable. I hadn’t read that stack of books on my night stand. I hadn’t planted my herb garden or organized the garage. How had I let the time get away from me?

My husband is not one to let me wallow, and believe me, I was wallowing. So he turned the whole day into a celebration. At my colleague’s advice, we began celebrating “Pre-Planning Eve.” We have a cookout, give gifts, etc. Now it’s a day to look forward to.

Classroom Rules Match Up
Here’s Your Free Gift From Me

Teacher New Year Classroom Tips

But in the much anticipated time between now and Pre-planning Eve, I find myself thinking more and more about that most sacred of holidays, The Teacher New Year–known in wider circles as, The First Day of School.

It’s time for a brand new adventure yet again, and I’ve found that what I do on the first day sets the tone for the entire year. I will officially be embarking on my 13th “Teacher New Year” in one week, and I’ve messed up enough to figure out what makes for a great start! At least, I hope that’s what I’ve gotten out of it :). I’ve got some first day of school advice for teachers that will help you start the new year right:

  1. Lay out all classroom guidelines clearly and briefly.
  2. Get to know each student as an individual.
  3. Encourage all students to get to know each other.

For more on this, check out this podcast episode.

Classroom Commuity Building

I want to elaborate briefly on points 2 and 3. It is always my goal to learn each student’s name by the end of each block on the first day. I have students fill out information cards, I shuffle the cards, and draw one at a time. For each card I draw, I make eye contact with that student, think of a memory trick to remember their name, and have a short conversation with them about an interest they put on the card. Periodically, I go around the room and call each student by name.
The first time I tried this, I thought the students would get bored, but they’re actually entertained, and they love it when I mess up and miss a name! And they are so impressed when I see them on campus and greet them by name. It really makes them feel like they matter to me. Here is a great article about how to make this work: Easy Ways to Remember Names
A couple of years into teaching, I realized halfway through the year, that the students in my classes barely knew each other. That is not good if you’re trying to build a collaborative culture. I knew that I needed to foster relationships within the classroom starting on the first day. But how do you lay out guidelines, have a conversation with each student, and begin to build a collaborative culture all in one period?
After much thought, I came up with a game that only takes 5 minutes to play, and in that time, students are able to speak to every person in the class. It’s based on the Kagan Structure “Quiz-Quiz-Trade.” I call it “Greet and Swap.”
  • I place questions on cards.
  • Each student gets a card.
  • They move about the room.
  • I play music.
  • When the music stops, they turn to the student next to them, ask their question and get the answer.
  • Their partner does the same.
  • They swap cards, and continue moving about the room.
  • We repeat this for 5 minutes (or longer).
I have all of my first day resources in a packet you can get here: First Day of School Materials and Procedures
The First Day of School Resources
Find It Here

I hope this was helpful! I wish you luck and fun on your teaching adventure!

How do you ring in the “Teacher” New Year? What do you do to “set the tone” for the school year? Leave a comment below to let me know!

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