Goals for the First Days

When establishing your classroom expectation, it's important for you to remember that the goal is to help students become more responsible. The intent for administering rules/expectations and procedures is to help students learn appropriate and productive life skills within a comfortable classroom environment.

The activities of the first days of school should lead to some specific goals. These goals might fit into four areas:

1. The teacher getting to know the students.
   
2. The students getting to know the teacher and each other.
   
3. Teacher maintaining classroom organization and management.
   
4. Teachers and students becoming aware of your school policy, procedures, and culture.

Teacher getting to know the students

• Actively engaging all students in learning activities
  
• Providing administrative, review and diagnostic activities, both formal and informal assessments
  
• Monitoring student activities, both academic and social

Students getting to know the teacher and each other

• Students introduce themselves to each other.
  
• Teacher greets students and demonstrates personal interest.
  
• Design activities to make students feel unique and successful. Keep activities simple but meaningful. Hands-on activities that result in a product or a sense of productivity are beneficial.
  
• Establish an accepting climate.
  
• Lead student self-assessment activities.

Classroom organization and management

• Acquaint students with room and materials they will use (supplies, texts, building).
  
• Teach appropriate behavior, rules, procedures, consequences, attention signal.
  
• Explain homework.
  
• Demonstrate that teacher is well-prepared and purposeful.
  
• Provide an overview of curriculum to be studied.
  
• Preview curriculum as a motivational device.
  
• Become aware of your school policy, procedures, and culture.