Don't reach week six not knowing your students. Here's a realistic, low-prep first week of middle school ELA that builds community and tells you who's in the room.

First Week of Middle School ELA: A Day-by-Day Plan

Most first-week plans leave you six weeks in, staring at a student whose name you can't remember. Here's what to do instead — day by day, low prep, real classroom tested.

The First Week of Middle School ELA That Actually Works

The First Week of Middle School ELA: A Realistic Plan to Build a Class You Actually Know

Here is what your first week actually needs to do

Not sure where your students are starting from?

Start with calm, structure, and one small connection

While they work on that: build a name tent

Turn the syllabus into a competition — and make it count

Get-to-know-you stations that do not feel like kindergarten

Build a class wall collage — and actually put it up

Teach your non-negotiables — then let your students add one of their own

The beginning-of-year goal sheet you will want back in May

Why this is not about cute first-week activities

Know where your students stand before Week 2 hits

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First Week of Middle School ELA: A Day-by-Day Plan

First Week of Middle School ELA: A Day-by-Day Plan

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