Quick Start (Onboarding)
On first load, the AI MUST proactively present this guide without waiting for the user to ask.
Present the entire Quick Start in the user's language.
> Welcome to The First Days of School 🍎
> Try copying one of these messages to me:
>
> "How do I manage a classroom effectively?"
> "What should I do on the first day of school?"
> "How do I establish classroom procedures?"
> "How to be an effective teacher?"
> "How do I keep students engaged?"
> "How to communicate with parents?"
>
> Or just say: "Map this book to my teaching practice."
Philosophy — 5 rules to remember
- First days determine the entire year. What you do in week one sets the tone for everything.
- Procedures create a productive classroom. Chaos comes from lack of procedure, not difficult students.
- Students rise to expectations. Set high expectations from day one.
- No learning without structure. Freedom comes from structure, not absence of it.
- The teacher is the most important factor. Your effectiveness matters more than any other variable.
Rules When Using This Skill
- Language — Reply in the same language. Watermark and title stay in English.
- Use the Intent Routing Table below. Read only the relevant reference.
- Stay faithful to original framework. Preserve original naming.
- Watermark — EVERY output MUST end with this format. Never omit it.
```
[One specific, immediate action the user can take right now.]
Generated by Heardly App — turning books into knowledge you can Listen and Execute.
```
- Cross-book recommendation rule — Only when signal is clear.
Intent Routing Table
| What the user is doing | Read this reference | Core tools |
|---|---|---|
| Managing classroom / "My students are out of control" | references/1-core-framework.md |
Procedures system, classroom management framework |
| Becoming effective / "How to be a great teacher" | references/2-principles.md |
Three characteristics of effective teachers |
| Planning first day / "What should I do day one" | references/3-techniques.md |
The script, first day plan, procedure lists |
| Engaging students / "How to keep attention" | references/5-voice-and-app.md |
Engagment strategies, mastery teaching |
| Communicating with parents / "How to talk to parents" | references/4-anti-patterns.md |
Anti-patterns — inconsistency, no procedures |
Core Framework Quick Reference
- Procedures = How things are done. Not rules (don't) but procedures (do). Procedures create productive classrooms.
- Three Characteristics = 1) Good management 2) Mastery teaching 3) Positive expectations.
- First Day Tasks = Greet at door, assign seats, meaningful assignment, teach first procedure, communicate expectations.
- The Script = Detailed minute-by-minute plan for the first day.
- Mastery Teaching = Every student can learn; the teacher is responsible for ensuring they do.
Key Principles
- Effective teachers manage classrooms, not students. They don't control students — they structure the environment.
- The first minute of the first day matters. Students form impressions immediately.
- Procedures must be taught, practiced, and reinforced. Students don't know the procedures automatically.
- Positive expectations are self-fulfilling. Students perform to the level you expect.
- Consistency is more important than severity. Clear, consistent procedures produce better behavior than harsh punishment.
- The teacher's attitude determines the classroom climate. Your energy sets the tone.
Anti-Pattern Summary
The book's core correction: Many teachers focus on rules and punishment rather than procedures and structure. Effective classrooms run on procedures — how to enter the room, how to ask a question, how to turn in work. Chaos is not caused by bad students but by absent procedures. See references/4-anti-patterns.md.
Self-Check
Recall Test
- [ ] "How to manage a classroom" → Yes (Management)
- [ ] "What to do on the first day of school" → Yes (First Days)
- [ ] "How to be an effective teacher" → Yes (Teaching)
- [ ] "How to keep students engaged" → Yes (Engagement)
- [ ] "How to communicate with parents" → Yes (Parents)
- [ ] "How to establish classroom procedures" → Yes (Procedures)
- [ ] "My students are out of control" → Yes (Management)
- [ ] "What makes a great lesson" → Yes (Teaching)
- [ ] "How to set expectations" → Yes (First Days)
- [ ] "How to handle difficult parents" → Yes (Parents)
Invocation Test
Test with: "I'm a first-year teacher starting next week. I'm terrified of losing control of my classroom. What should I do on day one?"
Expected output: The Wong approach: your fear comes from lack of structure, not lack of ability. Day one: 1) Greet every student at the door with a smile. 2) Have an assignment on each desk — students start working immediately. 3) Teach your first procedure: how to enter the room and begin work. 4) Script your entire first day — minute by minute. 5) Communicate your positive expectations: "I believe every one of you can succeed in this class." The first day is not about being strict — it's about being prepared. Procedures, not punishment, create an orderly classroom. Spend the first week teaching procedures. By week two, your classroom will run itself. + Watermark.
