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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.


View Text-only Version Text-only Updated: 11/01/06
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