Get Your Students Hired
Hi Christine,
I especially like the way you group opposites together. I am sure you have found this works really well.
Patricia
Most of my students are working parents and new to school. I have them list five positive attributes about themselves and three about someone else in class. This action helps to set a positive tone in the classroom.
We do "meet and greet". I have the students list name, address,phone,what type of learner they think they are, education level on one side of 3 x 5 card and then tell about themselves on the other. They stand in class and tell about themselves and we use the cards to put students into groups, matching outgoing with introverts and college with HS grads. etc.
Hello Scott,
New students are very nervous and apprehensive on the first day. As instructors, we should use a very calming demeanor and not one that is rigid and intimidating. I strongly believe in making students feel at ease, and it sounds like you do too.
Patricia
I agree, the first day of class sets the tone. When I'm going over the addendum, I will also talk about why it is important to learn this subject. I use a Top 10 list from each chapter. I pick the 10 most important subject matter or words that they need to know. It helps them to focus. I also do an ice breaker, by having them introduce a classmate after interviewing them with 10 questions. This also gives the class and myself a better picture on who this person is.
Fist day should put the students at ease, especially the new students.
Hi Grace,
It sounds like you are passionate about teaching. I bet your students can immediately tell that you love the profession and you care about their success.
Patricia
Hi Patricia,
I like to share my love for the career that has been so good to me and let them know that i want to give them the best tools possible to allow them to be successful
Hello Allan,
I think it is important for the instructor to share the same excitement and enthusiasm as the students on the first day. The first day sets the precedence for the entire grading period.
Patricia
Hello Richard,
You impress students whenver you remember their name, and you make your students feel very important whenever you know their name. It makes people feel good whenever others know them by name. Name learning is very positive.
Patricia
I agree with this comment, I love the first day of class. I always try to create a positive environment and ease to the class. Letting the students know that this is an important part of their curriculum and that every piece of information is necessary toward their complete of their curriculum.
On the first day of class, I review somewhat over the syllabus highlighting important parts in regards to how much things are worth, importance of competencies, and the things we are going to cover. I have borrowed an idea from a coworker who does an icebreaker "2 True, 1 False" and it seems to work out great.....thanks Tiffany! If I don't do that as an icebreaker, I have them go around the room and tell the class and myself 3 things about them that they would like to share. Because I may not go over the syllabus entirely, I have made an assignment that asks 5-6 questions about information in the syllabus. They are to answer those questions and I count it as their first assignment. This lets me know they read the syllabus.
I attempt also to remember each persons' name. They remember me for knowing their names.
I also have them write down five positive attributes about themselves, and then I have them discuss these in class.
Richard Byrd
Melanie,
I like te "brick on the wall" concept. It is a novel twist on the standard ice-breaker for the first day.
Thanks for sharing!
John
Hi Melanie,
What a super icebreaker, and a great way for students to begin the bonding process.
Patricia
I always do some kind of "human development activity" (HDA). The one I have used the most consistently is called "Sign the Wall". It is a sheet of paper oultined like bricks. On each brick is an item a purpose could have done eg. climbed a mountain, lived in another country, has been on a house boat etc. There are twenty possibilities. Students are asked to find someone who can sign on the brick that applies to them. I ask them to introduce themselves to each other, make eye contact and discuss what they can identify on the wall before they sign the brick. We discuss the activity afterwards.
Hi Russell,
It is important to get to know your students. Once a rapport is established with your students, there is an automatic bond, and the communication is a lot easier.
Patricia
Hello Tiffany,
I love your icebreaker, and I like the way you try to ease the students anxiety about the research paper. I know students still become a little nervous, but just imagine if you did not use this calming approach, it would be a lot worse.
Patricia
On the first day, I cover the syllabus, but I also make it a point to talk about their research paper that is due at the end of the term. I start off reassuring them that it is something we will do together, in steps, as a way to try to ease their anxiety. I have the paper broken down into parts and explain each part in detail giving due dates (which are also listed in their syllabus). They still have anxiety about the paper because I think that it is natural for students, but I don't want students thinking the paper is a mystery because that can make it worse.
I also use some of the icebreakers previously mentioned, but one of my favorites is "2 true, 1 false." Students have to say three things about themselves to the class, and the rest of us guess which item is false. It usually gets everyone laughing, having fun, and becoming more comfortable in the classroom.
Hi Aimee,
Do you go over the syllabus at all on the first day? What other things do you do on the first day?
Hello Bonnie,
The first day is no doubt an extremely important day. To encourage students to attend the first day at my institution, we make it mandatory for them to take the final exam. They can not be exempt, if they miss the first day. Students put forth great effort to come on the first day.
Patricia