I’ll never forget my first day of school as a new teacher.

I had the cutest classroom. My bulletin boards were Pinterest-worthy. I had a stack of activities prepped and printed. I thought I was ready…

But the moment my students walked in, it was pure chaos.

Kids were everywhere. I was putting out fires left and right. And by the time dismissal rolled around, I was completely overwhelmed and wondering what I had done wrong.

It wasn’t until a couple of years later that I finally figured it out: I wasn’t actually preparing for the right things.

Today, I want to save you from that same sinking feeling by walking you through the real reasons the first day feels so chaotic—and how to prevent it beforehand so you can walk in confident, calm, and in control.

Mistakes You Might Be Making (That Are Creating the Chaos)

1. Not Having Enough—or Having Too Much—Planned

My first year, I either:

• Had way too many activities and ran out of time

• Or didn’t have enough, and panicked when kids finished early

Even worse? I didn’t have a clear structure, so I was constantly reacting. That reactive energy is exactly what fuels the chaos.

2. Focusing on the Wrong Things

I thought if my classroom looked “cute,” I’d be ready.

Spoiler: A well-decorated space means nothing if your classroom management isn’t in place.

• I had no plan for transitions

• I didn’t think through classroom procedures

• I didn’t set up student supply systems
  So even though the space was beautiful, it wasn’t functional—and that made the whole day stressful.

3. No Systems in Place

I jumped into activities without teaching expectations or routines.

So of course my students had questions, needed redirection, and didn’t know what was expected of them—because I never taught them.

Instead of teaching, I was managing behavior all day.

How to Prevent First Day Chaos Before It Starts

The good news? You don’t have to learn this the hard way like I did. Here are the exact steps I now take (and help other teachers take) to make the first day smooth and successful:

1. Decide on 3–5 Procedures You’ll Teach Immediately

You don’t need to cover everything the first day—but you do need to teach a few foundational procedures so your students feel safe and know what’s expected.

For elementary, start with:

• How to get in line

• Classroom call & response

• Raising hands

• Coming to the carpet

• Using the restroom

➡️ I like to use my Classroom Procedure Slides (available here in my TPT store) to explicitly teach these.

Then, review and reinforce them throughout the week!

2. Plan Your Transitions Like Mini-Lessons

Transitions are the #1 time for disruptive behavior. That’s because students don’t know what to do, when to do it, or how to move from one activity to the next.

Treat transitions like procedures:

• Practice them

• Narrate them step-by-step

• Pair them with songs or timers

• Make it a class job for a student to run transitions later on

This sets the tone for the rest of the year and gives you more control (without micromanaging every move).

3. Create a First Day Schedule That Prioritizes Calm & Control

Instead of trying to fill the day with random activities, theme your first day around a story or message.

Examples:

• K–2: Chester the Kissing Hand

• 2–5: How Full Is Your Bucket?

Plan your activities around the theme so the day feels purposeful and connected.

Sample First Day Flow:

1. Read the story

2. Scavenger hunt: Find hearts (K–2) or buckets (2–5) around the classroom

3. Each “station” introduces:

   • A classroom area

   • A transition

   • A procedure

You’re building community, reviewing routines, and helping students feel confident—all at the same time.

Quick Recap: The Real Reason the First Day Feels Chaotic

If your first day has ever felt like a blur of noise and stress, it’s likely because of these 3 mistakes:
❌ Not having enough or having too much planned
❌ Focusing on cute setups instead of classroom systems
❌ Jumping into activities without teaching routines

✅ Instead, prevent chaos by:

• Teaching 3–5 key procedures right away

• Planning and practicing smooth transitions

• Creating a calm, themed schedule that builds connection and structure

Next Steps to Get Prepped With Confidence

🎯 Need help choosing and teaching the right procedures?
Grab the Classroom Setup Bundle for ready-made slides, student routines, and setup guides.

🎯 Want a done-for-you plan to set up your space and systems?
The Classroom Kickstart Mini-Course walks you through every step—from transitions to day-one flow.

🎯 Start with the FREE Classroom Setup Guide to get your bearings and simplify your plan.

You don’t need to feel unprepared ever again. I’ve got your back every step of the way. 💛