Advice, activities, and techniques for getting the first days and weeks of school off to a smooth start are offered in this compilation of six articles taken from issues of "Instructor" (Aug.-Sep. 1976, Aug. 1980, Aug. 1982, Aug. 1983), "Learning" (Sept. 1982), and "Teacher" (Sept. 1979), magazines. Suggestions for class management and organization are given as well as ideas for fun activities to welcome the students and help them get acquainted. Several articles contain back-to-school or first-day-of-school checklists. One article is devoted to ideas for celebrating special events or special days in the month of September. (JH)