Day One Went Well
My first day on this job went rather well. Having spent last year with between 25 and 30 junior high students per class, I'll confess to being a little stunned when all 8 (now 9) students were in front of me. I was a little nervous about my content for the day as I'm an emergency fill who wasn't handed day one material, but my students and I survived. A couple elf them have really warmed up, and they're showing initiative. That's great, as I just had my first supervisory review today! It went wonderfully. Can't say enough positive about having a great day one!
Hope it went well for you Brandon. I pick up two new students and an existing class next week. Still trying to figure out how to arrange the two new guys into the tight seating arrangement the previous students already have... Wish me luck !
Jenna,
Games and exercises like this are enjoyed by everyone and when you get to share some laughs as well you set the students at ease. This creates a comfortable environment for them to operate within and prepare for future sessions in the course.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One way that I break the ice with students on the first day is to memorize all their names. During this process they get to learn each other's names (as I circle the room repeating their names back to them) and they get a few laughs in usually (when I make mistakes).
Congrads Chris. My first day of class on my own will be on Monday morning, and im really looking forward to jumping all in. No one ever said it was gonna be easy, but it's now or never! Wish me luck
Christopher,
Glad to hear about your great first day. Now it is onward to even greater days of sharing your content and engaging your students. As a former middle school teacher I can appreciate your comments about the differences between them and your small class of adults.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
