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> Teaching & Learning Resources > New Teachers
First Day of Class
101
Things You Can Do the First Three Weeks of Class The following list
is offered in the spirit of starting off right. It is a catalog of suggestions
for college teachers who are looking for fresh ways of creating the best
possible environment for learning.
The
First Day of Class The first day of class is a very important time
for faculty to establish a tone for what will happen the rest of the term.
It is appropriate that a teacher reflect on just what climate and first
impression she/he would like to establish.
New England College
EdLinks This site includes annotated links to educational web sites
containing lesson plans, curriculum resource materials, teaching tools,
assessment strategies, publications, publishers and vendors of educational
materials, as well as state and national standards and frameworks. Extremely
useful for course planning.
The
First Day of Class The first day of class requires as much planning
as any other session because 'just going over the syllabus' may not provide
for a good beginning. Here are a few practical suggestions for taking full
advantage of the opportunity.
Getting
Started A good start can carry the instructor through several
weeks of early shakiness, and a bad one can take several weeks of damage
control to overcome. Richard Felder from North Caroline State University
has an easy-to-follow guide for that all important first day.
Icebreakers
A series of ideas, suggestions, and stories for first day activities. These
activities have been successfully implemented and fit a variety of classes
and situations.
A Day of Missed
Opportunities The way you choose to spend the first day of class will
set the tone for the entire semester. There are many things you can do
on the first day that will help establish rapport with the students, prepare
them for the semester's work, and generate excitement about the course
subject matter.
The
First Day of Class From The Penn State Teacher, a detailed plan for
the first class period can help alleviate much of the anxiety and help
you focus on communicating effectively with students. A very succinct but
effective description of first days that really work.
First
Day Because the first day of class is so important in setting
the tone for what is to come, it is crucial to think carefully about how
you present yourself and how you get the course established. This Ohio
State guide eloquently makes a point for putting your best foot forward
on the first day.
A
Great Beginning Ten unspoken questions from new college students during
the first days of class, with useful answers and suggestions.
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