The beginning of a new year is a crucial time for both students and teachers alike. What a teacher does to establish an effective classroom management system and create an environment that supports learning will influence what students accomplish throughout the year. Learning cannot take place in chaos, but well-managed classrooms do not just happen. They are the result of careful planning before the year begins and deliberate implementation of that plan on the first day of school and thereafter. Studies have consistently found that the most successful teachers: (1) Arrange and organize their classrooms to support instructional goals; (2) Establish procedures for conducting routine activities and rules to govern student behavior; (3) Teach rules and procedures as they would any new content area; and (4) Actively monitor students and consistently apply appropriate consequences. This guide is designed to help teachers help their students to get off to a good start and have a productive school year by offering insights to planning: (1) Before the school year begins; (2) During the first days of school; and (3) Throughout the year.