It was thrilling and daunting to author the second edition of The First Six Weeks of School. Much of what teachers have always loved about the first edition is still there: concrete examples and schedules, great games and activities, and practical advice for building community and managing a classroom. The biggest overall change is the emphasis on academic work in the first six weeks of the school year. Instead of viewing community building and the teaching of discipline and routines as something to do before the academic work begins, in the new edition, you learn how they all blend together. After all, isn’t this what the beginning of the school year is all about? We’re building communities of learners!
- Explore many practical and specific strategies for teaching academics, teaching discipline, and managing the flow of the day.
- Learn how to scaffold and uncover a classroom environment thoughtfully and with purpose to maximize yearlong learning.
- Learn how to build relationships with your students while also helping them come together as a learning community.
- Find dozens of fun and engaging activities specific to the grades you teach (K-2, 3-4, 5-6).
I love this book. It gives practical ways to build a classroom community. I love the different ideas for different grade levels. I will definitely keep this book close by this year!
–TianaMarie. (Amazon book review)
Awesome book to help any teacher organize and teach the first six weeks setting the classroom for success.
–MulderFam (Amazon book review)
Check out this sneak peek into the book!
Here’s an article with a few ideas for the first weeks of the school year.
The first weeks of school are critical–no doubt. But we can’t stop teaching social-emotional skills and setting kids up for success with routines and academics in October! Here are a few articles about some other important times of year.
Check in On Your Most Vulnerable Students (November)
Keep Learning Going During Holidays