How to Make the First Day Enjoyable
I truly believe the first day is like testing the waters before a swim. It is the perfect time to welcome students who are new and also those who may be return students to your classroom. This is a great time to encourage students to engage in conversation with others and learn about everyone's background and experiences.
Hi Melissa,
I have used this game and it is a lot of fun as you say. It also gives the students a bit of time to get settled into the class and socialize a bit, not to mention laugh a little. This really helps to set the stage for the upcoming course. Good job, thank for sharing this strategy with us.
Gary
I lighten the mood a little on the first day of class by playing a game as a class where each student tells the class who they are and where they are from. Then the student tells two things that are true about them and one thing that is false. The game gets the whole class involved as the rest of the class then has to guess what the student is fibbing about. I play too; the students seem to like this. It is a fun game for all ages!
Hi Anthony,
I have a game I play where the students make paper airplanes and fly them. We all note how far they fly. I make the individuals of the four longest flying planes team captains and assign the other students to the different teams. I then have the team captains and the team members work together to redesign and make new planes. Then each member of each team fly their planes. There is a lot of cheering and friendly competition. The results are always the same. The length of flight is generally doubled for everyone. Point of the exercise is to have the students have some fun, friendly competition, get to know each other better, and to see that by listening and working together performance can be improved. This sets a great tone for the remainder of the class.
Gary
Is there anything fun you can do on the first day to lighten the mood alittle bit?
Hi Molly,
Good point. Adult learners what to know from the beginning what are the requirements, expectations and policies so they can see how they are going to fit within the class. Once they know this they are then ready to settle in and get on with the course.
Gary
Hi Alice,
What a great compliment to your professionalism and desire for your students to succeed. For them to tell others that you are going to be there for them tells a lot about how you have established a reputation of support and respect for your students.
Gary
This is my first time teaching adult learning and throughout this course (and my experience this semester) I have learned that I need to take more time on the first day to go over the syllabus and course objectives. They truly set the tone for the rest of the semester.
We can't exaggerate the importance of making the first day of class enjoyable. In my "basic" academic classes most students are just now returning to school after having been away for several years. Some have even failed or given up and dropped out of other colleges or careers. In addition, they have failed an entrance exam in one or more subjects. They can't feel much lower.
My goal with each first-day class is to assure students they will succeed. We share stories about how we all got here and our educational goals. The syllabus is offered as the backbone of the course. Then a pre-test gives them a sampling of the skills to be learned, earning them their first 100. They know I will use it to plan the level of their lessons.
My goal is to help them brush-up on the basic skills and study habits they will need to succeed in all their future classes. It is very hard to fail my class. I tell them, "Just show up on time, actively participate during class, and do your best to complete all assignments. Mistakes are to be used for further teaching, not for lowering grades."
I can see the relief in their faces right away. Sometimes certain students come back for a different "basic" course (I teach three). I hear them tell newer students, "She's going to help you review what you had in high school. Don't worry about it." Most gratifying!
I agree that welcoming students, engaging them in conversation is important in the first day because it does get them to be more relaxed an not be so full of anxiety. It enables you to get to know them and they get to know you which, I believe, can set the tone for the rest of the semester. It does make learning more enjoyable when everyone gets involved on the first day and everything does "click"
Hi Suzanne,
What a great example of bringing the real world into the classroom. I would keep this activity in your beginning of the course. It gives your students something they can visualize for themselves. Good idea.
Gary
I agree the first day is a time for testing the waters for the students as well.
I have been teaching for 2 years and this past quester is the first time i prepared and showed a power point presentation that were exhibits of projects I have been involved with over my years of professional experience. The presentaiton showed initial projects during my early years up to the present more complex projects. I briefly explained my role in each project to halep them understand that the first day out of school they will not be expected to perform like someone with 30 years experiecne. I reinforced that the progression over the years was methodical. The students all commented that they typically had not seen any other instructor's projects or "real life" work. They approciated knowing what woudl be expected of them someday when they have completed the course of study and entered their field. I believe I will make this a part of my first day activites from this point forward.
Hi Cynthia,
I call this setting the stage. Meaning what you outlined in your forum response helps to set the stage for success for your students as the course unfolds. By giving them the expectations, requirements, and policies and then doing an ice breaker will get the students settled in and comfortable with the you and the course.
Gary
The first day is all about introductions. the course, the class policies and rules, the syllabus, the instructor and all of the students...I have always done that and it helps break the ice.
Hi Bobbi,
I like what you are doing with your exploration of how to meet the needs of each class of students. Much of our work is like a detective looking for clues. As the students introduce themselves and you get to know them you start to determine what their instructional support needs really are and then provide them.
Gary
I have had good experiences with my past students. They have really helped me become a better instructor. Through trying to help them come out of their shells, group projects and my own teaching style. Every class is different. Until I gain some sort of relationship with my students, I don't know if I will spend more time lecturing and demonstrating or finding outside materials and videos.
I think that is a great idea, however since we are required to stay the whole class period I typically go into the introductory materials and get things started.
Hi Bobbi,
You are using your previous students as resources for incoming students. This creates a great dynamic for motivation on the part of both student groups.
Gary
On the first day of a new course I prefer to start with a climate or tone of casual interaction and free exchange. I go through introductions, the syllabus, course objectives, learning activities and course structure. Once the necessities are covered I provide a braod overview of the material that is covered and make every effort to connect each learner with an personal association with the course material by relating their experiences directly to a tangible aspect of the subject. I attempt to draw as many into the discussion as possible connecting experiences or perspectives.
