If there is one thing I have to say I focus on the first week of school, it is teaching classroom procedures. It is the most important thing I do that helps my classroom run (mostly) smooth the entire year and cuts down on classroom disruptions from a lack of communication. When I first started teaching, I made a list of all the procedures I wanted to have. I would suggest all teachers do the same thing. Then, write out exactly what you want to happen in your classroom. I literally typed it up. I wanted to know exactly what I expected from the students and when I was going to teach it to them. Here is a list of procedures you should be teaching in your classroom: Entering the Classroom Putting up Backpack/Supplies Broken/Missing Pencil Warmup/Bellwork Getting Out and Putting Up Technology How to Glue Paper Getting the Class' Attention Working in Small Groups Transition Stations Getting Out Supplies Exchanging Papers Turning in Assignments Classroom Visitor Getting a Kleenex Watching a Video Announcements Classroom Phone Rings Collecting Papers Passing Out Papers Grading Papers Writing in a Planner Restroom Breaks Lining Up Going to Lunch/Recess/Specials Absences Transitions in the Classroom Substitute Procedures Finishing Work Early Exit Tickets End of the Day Procedures Not all of these will apply to your classroom. I DO NOT teach these all the first day/week of school. I teach them as they come up and then MODEL MODEL MODEL and PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. And then we do it again the next day. The first two weeks of school are redundant (and repetitive) but necessary. If you think you are over teaching it, you're not! Teaching you classroom expectations will cut down on behavior problems and class disruptions. A student may genuinely think it is perfectly acceptable to shout "My pencil broke! I need a new one!" in the middle of class and will be offended if you suggest that is not acceptable behavior. Prevent those from happening by teaching your expectations first. If a students does deviate from the classroom expectation, a simple conversation could help them get on track. Ask them what the procedure is and ask them to please follow it. If the student continues to not follow the procedure, then use your classroom behavior plan to help the student get on track.