Before you head into the classroom for the first time to meet a couple of dozen six-year-olds, spend some time organizing procedures for each part of your day. Think about how you will enter your class each day and greet your students and how you'll instruct your students to line up or settle down. Set rules now for make-up work, students who don't come prepared for class and those who break the rules.
Classroom rules are required if you plan to keep your students in line. The best way to help your students internalize the rules is to involve them in making them. One the first day of school have your student brainstorm what they think needs to happen in order for your class to be successful. Lead them in discussion about respect, manners and bullying. Once they have decided on how they want their class to operate, help them choose five rules that reflect their discussion and that you feel are well rounded.
Before your first day of school, set up your classroom. First grade classrooms benefit from having centers. Set up a reading area, and art, math and science centers. Keep an area open for circle time as well. A table with tape players and headphones works well for books on tape and listening to music.
It is inevitable that sometimes your students won't come prepared for class. One way to avoid this is to send home a supply list on the first day of school asking each student to bring a box of pencils, crayons, scissors and whatever else you need for your class. Rather than have each student maintain his own supplies, have a supply closet. Keep an organizer on each group table with glue sticks, scissors and pencils so they're always handy.