Provide time the first few days of school for students to get to know each other. Have students go on a "Getting to Know You" scavenger hunt. During the scavenger hunt, students go around the room finding classmates who match certain statements such as "Has two cats" or "Has lived in a different state." Play "Recipe Card Mix Up" where students write five facts about themselves on an index card. Shuffle cards and distribute to students. Have students go around the room asking questions to see if they can find the person who wrote their card.
Work with students to establish a set of classroom rules, behavior expectations or a classroom pledge covering how everyone wishes to be treated. Help younger students brainstorm a list of rules and discuss what each point means. Allow older students to make their own list of expectations and share ideas to get everyone's input. Discuss the ideas presented and narrow the list down to the top five rules or expectations. Record results on a poster and word expectations in a positive manner such as "Respect each other's materials and space" instead of "Don't hit and don't steal." Have students sign the poster.
Set aside time for team building activities to help students learn how to work cooperatively. Break students into groups and give them Tinkertoys, straws, clay and craft sticks. Invite groups to work together to make the tallest tower possible. Try card sequencing games where teams study a random sequence of 10 to 15 cards -- depending on age of students -- for 30 seconds. Cover the answer cards, then give teams a stack of duplicate cards to put in order.
Celebrate Labor Day by reading books about community helpers such as police officers, firefighters, doctors and teachers to recognize the work people do everyday. Invite community helpers to your classroom to speak about their jobs. Encourage helpers to share with older students about career choices in their field and the training required. Recognize Patriot Day on September 11 by writing letters to veterans, firefighters, police officers and other emergency workers. Younger students may want to draw pictures as a way to show their support.
Read books about the changing of seasons in September. Go on a leaf hike to gather red, yellow, orange and brown leaves. Sort the leaves by color, shape or size. Provide magnifying glasses to study leaves up close or make leaf rubbings with crayons and paper. Celebrate the fall harvest season by inviting students to bring a few apples to school. Sort the apple by size or color. Taste test different apple varieties, make apple pies and read stories about Johnny Appleseed.