Intended primarily for preservice and beginning teachers, this handbook can also be used by inservice teachers, school administrators, and college professors as an aid in helping new teachers meet the challenges of the opening days of the school year. The handbook begins with instructions for getting acquainted with available instructional resources; facilities, personnel, services; district and school rules, procedures, and policies; the children; the district; and the community's resources. Next, the handbook presents outlined guidance on the following topics: effective room arrangements, decorations, and materials; discipline, control, and management; routines and procedures; class lists; home-school communication; folders for substitute teachers; celebrations; and pupil identification methods. The handbook also includes instructions to new teachers about making plans and schedules and tentatively determining pupils' skill levels. The handbook concludes with bibliographies of articles and books about the first year of teaching (9 entries) and about classroom management and discipline (46 entries). (SB)