My first class period interview
During my first classes, I give the students an autobiography assignment. They have five minutes to cover the generalities of their lives. After this, they give their autobiographies to another student, and the assignment changes into a biography assignment. The students are to use two sources in order to write a biography about their peer: the first source is their peer, and the second source is their peer's autobiography. They are given 20 minutes to chat (interview) and get to know each other (and take notes), and another 15 to write their biographies. I then allow them to take the biographies home with them to revise them. Because I teach composition, this assignment models a few things: 1. that I value the writing process. Research, compile notes, draft, revise, etc. 2. by giving them ample time to get know each other, they know that I value relationships and that I put a premium on their getting to know each other. We will work together in my class. 3. it also lets them know that everything we do in the class will be geared toward the subject matter and will hold some lesson worth learning. They also have fun with the assignment, which sets a great precedent!
That is a great idea. I have heard of instructors doing this but not quite to this degree as you have your students perform. This type of "ice breaker" is great to get the whole class involved and more comfortable with each other.
Hi Sam,
This is a great activity to get a class started. The students get to use their skills while learning more about each other. I know it is a lot of fun because of the things that the students learn about each other. I know each course phase when we do introductions I find that I am surprised by the wide and varied life experiences my students have had. Keep up the great work you are doing.
Gary
