First Day of Class guides

Home / Course catalog / First Day of Class guides

Every topic from the course, as a standalone reference. Search or filter to find exactly what you need. Want the full path and a certificate? Take the course.

Before the first dayWhat the first day is really forThe first day sets the trajectory. Use it to do more than hand out a syllabus.Before the first dayPrepare the essentialsA little preparation prevents the small disasters that undercut a strong start.Before the first dayDesign a first day worth showing up forPlan an actual first class, not just a policy reading.Setting the toneSetting the toneWarm and businesslike at once. The tone you set on day one tends to stick.Setting the toneBuilding rapport and belongingStudents who feel they belong on day one are more likely to engage and stay.Setting the toneLearning and using namesKnowing students' names is one of the simplest, most powerful first-day moves.Clarity and expectationsMake the syllabus useful, not a recitationCover what students truly need, and let them read the rest.Clarity and expectationsEstablish expectations and normsSet out how the class will run while everyone is listening.Clarity and expectationsHandle the logistics and questionsClear up the practical details so students can focus on learning.Engage and end wellA first-day activity that sets the patternDo something active on day one so students learn how the class will work.Engage and end wellSurface what students bringFind out what students already know and care about, and use it.Engage and end wellEnd the first class, and first week, with momentumClose strong and carry the energy into a well-planned first week.