First+Day+in+the+Classroom

Effective teachers:
 * Know all the students in the classroom
 * Know a unique thing about each student that is positive--something the student is good at, an interest the student has, etc.
 * Communicate their knowledge of the unique positive thing to that student.
 * Carry their students in their hearts, even bringing in things from home based on students' individual interests.

How do you get there? What kinds of activities will help you to learn student names? How can you get to know student interests? How can you get to know details about each individual student in a 25 student classroom? What are ways you can communicate your knowledge of positive things about each child?

Your mission is to brainstorm, find resources, and put them here on the wiki.