This text lists crucial activities a teacher can undertake in preparation for the first day of school. The suggestions are especially helpful for beginning, transfer, and student teachers. They may also be used by experienced teachers, administrators, and teacher educators. Suggestions are organized in the format of a 60-day countdown to the first day of school and are grouped in three categories: (1) getting acquainted; (2) classroom environment; and (3) instructional planning. The first category covers suggestions concerning instructional resources, school facilities, district and school policies, students, and community resources. Suggestions in the second category address topics of room arrangement and decoration, supplementary learning materials, organization of materials, discipline, classroom routines, class rosters, communication between home and school, communication between teacher and students, celebration of holidays and student birthdays, and student and teacher identification. Suggestions for instructional planning relate to long-range and day-to-day plans, supplementary learning materials, weekly schedules, pupil assessment, and information for substitute teachers. A 37-item bibliography is provided. (BC)