The teacher should meet the pupils with a friendly greeting and without any hesitancy assign them to their seats, adding such other instructions as are necessary. However, not too many instructions should be given; better none than too many. If parents accompany the pupils, they should be treated with consistent courtesy and their questions answered firmly. It is always best to say as little as possible to parents, never forgetting, however, to be polite. As soon as school is begun, the teacher may tell a story that will attract the children to her and leave a good impression. Following the story, lesson assignments should be made. All assignments and instructions should be simple and plain. If it is necessary to do some school work, the tasks should be short and so simple as to be entirely within the ability of the children. Take great care to leave with them at the close of their first day the feeling of power to do what will be required of them. In closing the session mention some delightful bit of work, that “we will do tomorrow.” In rural schools the first day is even more perplexing than in village or city schools, because, in the rural school, one teacher has all the grades. Plans for study, recitations and recesses should all be made so that any question asked about any phase of the school work can readily be answered. As in the city school, older pupils should be promptly assigned to their seats; to allow them to select their own is poor policy and almost always results in trouble later in the year. If the teacher knows the names of the pupils, it is a good plan to have the names on cards placed on the seats in which the teacher wishes to have the pupils seated. The smaller pupils should also be shown to their seats and assistance given them in getting their books into the desk in an orderly manner. After school is called to order the work for the day should begin at once. The teacher may give an opening talk if he thinks that is best. However, it is advisable not to do that. At this stage of the work it is very prudent for the teacher to avoid making set rules or even feigning authority. Be unassuming. As in the city school, work on the first day should be simple. The pupils have had no preparation and cannot respond in recitations. Sometimes teachers ask the pupils to prepare the lessons first, but they are in new surroundings and not used to study; it is better to make assignments and explanations, then fill the remainder of the day with “busy work,” songs and stories. But whatever the teacher does must be so done that the pupils will feel that he is in earnest. Try to send the children home that night with the impression that this term’s work is going to be a very interesting and happy one.