Beginning of Day or Period

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The beginning of the school day or class period sets a crucial tone that can affect the rest of the instructional day. Students need to be taught the specific practices that will set up their day for achievement: entering quickly, putting away belongings, turning in papers, and getting ready to work.

Do Not Be Distracted and Quickly Take Attendance

There is a lot going on when students first enter the classroom. Be careful not to be distracted from monitoring student behavior, and be sure to narrate appropriate behavior. Taking attendance helps you learn who is who.  You can assign this job to a student helper or monitor.  Some teachers have students flip over an attendance card and initial it as they enter. Of course, taking roll yourself for the first few weeks well help you learn names and connect with your students.

Greet Students at the Door

Greeting students as they enter the room may keep you from doing paperwork or additional planning for the day, but the benefits far outweigh any consequences. Just as you would welcome someone coming into your home, checking in with students builds a personal connection. This is your chance to say a personal hello, note a new haircut, ask about an ill sibling or parent, inquire about how the math homework went, or just investigate where each and every student is emotionally at the start of the day.

Have an Assignment on the Board for Students

Having a task written on the board or placed on the student's desk helps to keep students quiet, seated, and learning from the start of the day.  Appropriate assignments to begin the day could tap student curiosity about what is to come or take advantage of an opportunity to finish an assignment. Silent sustained reading is always a good option but often needed for after lunch or a recess.

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