Hi Gina,
Great to hear. I know you are going to do well in getting your classes started off in a relaxed and comfortable way. This is important for students. They need to know that you care about them and their success. Introductions help to set the stage for such rapport.
Gary
This was always a difficult area for me when i was in school, but I know that with these introductions it helped me speak more freely and overcome the initial nervousness.
I will definately be doing introductions with all new classes.
I do exactly the same thing on my first day. Having an interesting story to go with their name on the roster always helps learn their names much, much faster!
i also get thier email addresses, I always get the school email adress because often they use personnal email addresses, such as bigstud99....ect
and tell them I would like something a little more professional
Hi Jodi,
Good way to start a class. When I do this I always have fun because I learn so much about the students. I am always surprised at the extensive experiences they have had both personally and professionally. It really makes the first class meeting fun.
Gary
Hi Patsy,
This is also a good way to get the students comfortable and ready for the class.
Gary
When we do introductions, I have them tell me where they are in their program and then also something interesting about themselves that I would normally never guess. That's how I usually remember them too!
I ask students what is their program and quarter, what they want to do when they finish school and something interesting about themselves. I begin by introducing myself in the same way so they have a model of what I want in the introduction. It is a good way to begin to know about the students.
Hi Wendy,
I am sure you look forward to starting a new class since you will be hearing such interesting stories from your students when you do the introductions. This has to be a fun time for everyone.
Gary
Hi Ann,
Good way of getting student introductions started. This lets the students express their thoughts and ideas in a "confined" space. Bet this exercise is a lot of fun for the students.
Gary
I have them interview and then introduce another person. One of the things they ask each other is the question, Something the others in the room wouldn't guess about them. I always get interesting answers and it gives me something to remember about them that is different.
Cool idea!!! Adds humor to break the ice and yet informative to get to know your students
I sometimes pass around a roll of toilet paper and tell students to take as much as they want. Then students have to count how many squares they have and tell the class that many things about them.
Hi DaNae,
Good idea. This is an ice breaker that brings some thought as well as fun into the introductions.
Gary
I ask them to tell me something about themselves that begins with the first letter of their first name.
Hi Tasha,
These first day stories serve to inspire me as I get ready for another course. Knowing where they come from and what they have endured really helps me to dedicate my teaching efforts even more.
Gary
I love the first day student introductions as well. The stories of educational hurdles, family and personal composition are markers printed indelibly on the brain.
Great point I always ask my students to talk about themselves also, make them feel good and open.
Claude Cevasco
Hi Annette,
Good point. This could be a source of humor as the class is getting started and really help to break the ice. I am sure you get some very interesting responses. Also, it will help you to remember names as you indicated.
Gary
