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I'm an "emergency fill". It's been interesting so far.

My prior teaching experience is in studio art. I've taught mostly at the college level, and last year I took a stab at public school teaching junior high students. I'm generally a popular instructor, and I'm always proud of my students and the results they get. This time around I'm getting handed my first lecture course. Literally. As an emergency hire, I was given all the previous slide presentations, quizzes, projects...everything. I thought that was going to be great, but it's turning out to be double the work as I adjust the course to my style. I've also been put off by of the worksheets and projects that seem to have abysmally low learning expectations. Weeding that stuff out has been tough, and is gutting the day-to-day class schedule. I'm also discovering that my lecture style needs a lot of work. I'm thinking maybe mini-projects based on the required reading might help me out a lot. Anybody else bring in-class projects into their classrooms? I'm lucky to have a really small class, so that my hope is that it aids in helping the success of the projects (and gives me some room to learn how to be a better lecturer!).

Christopher,
You are starting this teaching situation with a number of challenges as you have indicated. I think you are on the right track with the mini-projects in class. I use a lot of case studies in between my lectures so my students will be able to make applications and see relevance.
The good news is that once you have worked through the materials you have been given and put your personal stamp on how you are going to present the content it will be easier next time around. If you can pull the key points from the materials and then think about and plan for how you will project your personality and instructional style into sharing that content. This way you will be moving away from moving through the content like you are reading from a script and you will be making the course your own. I wish you much success with this effort.
Gary

Gary Meers, Ed.D.

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