It is important to start out stern, then to loosen up if permitted. The students need to know who's boss, in the first place. The new teacher should implement and enforce classroom rules and procedures, and to use consequences when the rules are broken.

I would say have many ice breaker activities on hand that allow for you to get to know them, but are more fun on their part. In fact, typical ice breaker activities may still be fun for them because you could say "I know you all have known each other since Kindergarten, but I don't know you so well. So now I can have a chance to get to know you, and you all can test each other to see just how well your friends know you!" If you make it into a game, they will respond better. However, always remember that establishing authority is important, too. So, don't make it seem like it is all going to be "fun and games."

You need to start out by letting the students know that you are in charge and they need to respect you. make your rules clear and stick to them. If the students don't think that you keep your word, you will have a hared time managing them. The students will need some time to get to know you and your teaching style you all get into a certain rhythm things will be ok. If this class was not really good with each other then they probably would not have been allowed to stay together for so long so you hopefully should not have too many problems with them.

Planning for the first day in your new classroom is so important because this is the time when students will learn about you, about your class,and your rules and procedures. Another reason it is so important to plan for your first day is because this is another step towards having a well-managed classroom. In order to have this well-planned first day there are steps you need to follow. I would organize my first day by following the steps to have an effective first day. My classroom would already be organized and well thought out before students arrive. Desks will be in a U-shape formation with all the necessities on their desks such as textbooks or take home folders and all learning centers will be in place. Once students arrive I will introduce myself and explain what they can expect from the school year. We will go over not just classroom rules and procedures but also the schools rules and procedures which will already be posted in the classroom visible to all. I will have a short lesson planned so I can see how the students interact and learn best and they can see my teaching style. In order to have an effective first day experience it is important to follow these seven steps. Step one is make sure your classroom is prepared and student ready. Introducing yourself and allowing time for students to get to know one another is a crucial part of the first day and is also step number two. In addition to having your classroom rules and procedures already hanging up in your classroom you also need to go over them with your students to see if they have any questions, which is step three. Step four is kind of boring for the students but is important for ensuring a successful school year. This is when you hand out necessary materials needed such as textbooks; take home folders, and maintaining your classroom roster. Step five is having a teaching activity planned, this is a great way to see how students learn best and give them the opportunity to see your teaching style. Since all good things must come to an end step six is the closing of the first day. Recap important things that were discussed throughout the day emphasize important deadline dates and see if the class has any questions. Step seven includes dealing with problems all throughout the first day; this could include a student arriving late, interruptions, student forgetting lunch money, etc.

When starting with a not so new classroom, it is important to differentiate yourself from the old teacher. I'm sure you've heard a lot of "Well, when SHE was here, we..." It's important to make your own classroom rules with corresponding punishments and be sure to enforce them strictly. The students should react to this well. Be sure not to loosen up too quickly, as the students will definitely try to see if they can bend the rules with you, but after they are done testing you and realize that you have strong boundaries you should be free to loosen up.

Introduce yourself to them. Allow them to make suggestions on things that goes on in the classroom or what they do to learn best. You can always open yourself up to them to show them that you may be a teacher, but you are a person that they can talk to as well. Be firm also because it can be rather intimidating to be in a classroom full of students that have been together during kindergarten.

Get to know them personally as quickly as possible. Take time for them to feel comfortable with you.

I would have the students debrief me about their classroom, which would most likely include classroom expectations, how work was administered, homework, classwork, group work, and other classroom routines that they were accustomed to. As a new teacher, I would not want to come into a classroom change the way things are and give the students the impression they were going to do things my way. It is important to work with students and not work against them. I believe if a new teacher were to show respect to the students, then the students would most likely give respect back. This is not to say that the way things are done would stay that way because every teacher has their own teaching pedagogy. What I am saying is to allow the students to speak first and get to know them before you make your presence know in an unwanted way.