This handbook offers pre-planning (before school opens) guidelines for elementary school teachers. Outlines contain suggestions for considerations in the areas of: (1) facilities, personnel, and services; (2) district and school rules, procedures, and policies; (3) individual students; (4) instructional resources; (5) community resources; (6) room arrangement and decoration; (7) discipline, control, and management; (8) classroom routines and procedures; (9) class lists/rosters; (10) communicating with home and pupils; (11) preparing a folder for substitute teachers; (12) class celebrations; (13) organizing materials; (14) plans and schedules; and (15) pupil assessment. A sample long-range plan for reading instruction is included. (JD)