by Alan Haskvitz

Planning for the first day of school summarizes the fun and challenge of teaching. Not knowing what to expect, a teacher must be prepared for everything. With that in mind, I have rounded up the best resources I could find, tested them and present them here for your review.

Here's an interesting way to start the first day in most elementary classrooms. Take a digital picture of each student to use for your anecdotal records and, if you have time, to place in a student-made frame. Using a few craft sticks and some white glue, the students can make and decorate their own frames. Next, attach the photo and a label with the date and "First Day of Class." They can be sent home that first day or kept to the end of the year. (Popsicle Stick Photo Frame)

Here are other quality sites and important information for all teachers.

Activities for the First Days of School
For upper grades

Beginning of School Lessons
Large link site with a vast array of ideas

Bulletin Board Ideas

Check Out these Classroom Discipline Sites

Explore Resources for New and Experienced Teachers
Back-to-school links

Explore Teacher Buy, Sell, Trade Sites

First Day Foundation Online
Getting parents involved

Ideas for the First Day of School
Large listing site

101 Things You Can Do in the First Three Weeks of Class
Mainly elementary

REC Lesson Plan Sites
An extensive list

REC New Teachers
Discipline and first day of school ideas.

Take Advantage of Printables

Teachers and the Law

General sites

First Day Ideas

First Day of School Activities