It would be easy for me to give you a long list of the things that I must do to ensure a good start but the truth is, I think most teachers do these things already. I think most great teachers do many things that I have no idea about and that I have yet to learn. And then I realize too that for all of the planning that I can do to set up the year there is one ingredient I cannot control; the students. Yet, for my own sanity and to get my own ideas flowing there are things I have to do for this to be my room, our room, the kind of room I would want my daughter in, the kind of room I would want to be a student in. These things are simple and they do not cost any money. So here is what I will do.
I will greet my students with a smile and a laugh, probably a joke even though all of my jokes tend to be corny and yet they make them laugh. I will let them know that I am excited and nervous too and that we are on this journey together and if they fail then I fail and that is alright by me. We will talk about our vision, how do we want this classroom to feel? Do we like noise or do we work better quiet? How can I get their attention and how can they get mine? We always need to figure this out before misunderstandings and hurt feelings occur.
The classroom will be bare because it is not mine to decorate, it is theirs and they can take over as soon as they would like. There will be no rules poster because we set those together and then we discuss and change them when needed. There will be tables, finally, this year so that students can work together whenever they need to and always have someone to reach out to. There are also pillows and comfy chairs, carpet squares and corners for retreat – we all need our quiet space. There are boxes of books to be explored and pictures to take. We need to document this journey together. There will be things to teach each other as I have had some of these kids before and they seem to know me better than I do. My daughter and husband will have made a welcome video because they become a huge part of our classroom since they are a huge part of me. There will be sharing but there will also be work that first day because kids tend to want to get started. After all, they are older now and wondering what this class is all about. Their voices will do most of the talking because I should not be the center of attention. And so goes my first day.
I cannot tell you how my first week will go because we haven’t decided. Of course there are plans to follow, lessons to be taught, school routines to conquer but how these will shape out I am not sure of yet. I have to get to know my students before I can think that far. I have to adapt my teaching style to them. I have to meet them before I decide how the school year will unfold, hear their ideas, their hopes, their fears, and then together we will plan. Together we will make this a journey we all want to be on. Not just my journey or theirs, but ours. It is always about the ours.
Pernille Ripp 
I enjoy reading your posts. Each one gives me new thoughts to consider. I wrote down my first day plans and realized that I'll probably spend most of it sitting together with my students. Listening to them share their thoughts, ideas, and concerns will be the majority of our first short day together. Then I realized that I won't be able to think too far beyond that because they will guide our learning together. I'm energized by a new way of thinking about my role as a teacher. I'm thankful that Twitter led me to your blog and so many others than are altering my thinking for the better.
Thanks Chris, I think of my first day ever and how I lectured the whole day about rules etc and what that must have signaled to my students; Look at me it is all about me. Besides now with a no punishment program, the time with your students is the most important building block. I am so glad you are trying it all too and please let me know if I can help with anything.
One of my goals for the subway this morning was to begin planning out the first couple of weeks. Then I read this and you put tears in my eyes. Such a great message and one I hope to deliver as well. This post makes me think about how exciting it will be to have my students find a voice given all the boundaries in which we'll work. Makes me think we can turn this into an awesome year.
Thanks Matt, I am glad that my words resonated with you. I think your students will have an incredible year if you let them use your voice. No more thinking that they cannot do it because they can. You will have an incredible year.
Pernille, I've been thinking a lot about this over the last few days. I never do the same thing at the start of the year. I'm always trying something new. I imagine an empty bowl with all of the ingredients you might need at hand, sitting on the counter next to a big, wooden spoon. Once the students arrive, it's time to start adding one ingredient at a time, stirring slowly until well blended.I love that you include joking and laughing. I intend to smile a lot!
I would like you to keep up the good work.You know how to make your post understandable for most of the people.I will definitely share it with others.Thanks for sharing.
I've been reading your blog over the last few days – sometimes laughing and often with tears in my eyes. It has been so inspirational to read your insights and I know this will sound incredibly corny but…you make me want to be a better teacher.Hugs, Nic x
Nichola, people like you make me want to keep writing – thank you so much for even reading.Best,pernille
Was just pointed to your blog and have been poking around enjoying your posts. This is my fifth year teaching (following a 30 year biz career), and I'm loving it (even though I still have so much to learn)! You really struck a chord with your comment about spending that first day talking about rules (it's all about me). Ouch! Yeah, that would be me. Never really thought about it. Wasn't that what I was supposed to do? Thanks for showing me a different way. I'm sure my new 4th grade class will thank you too!