How to make the most out
of the first day of class!
Janice MacMillan
Focus on Learning
August, 2012
Reflection
Think about a first class in a
course that went really well (as
a teacher or as a student).
What happened in that class to
make it go so well?
Session Objectives
• Reflect upon the importance of the
first class.
• Identify key goals and activities for
the first class.
• Share ideas about student and
teacher expectations for an effective
learning environment.
Primary Goals
• To answer student questions
• course content
• administrative details
• To set the tone for the semester
• To begin to build a community
of learners
Course Content &
Admin. Details
• Clarify course learning
outcomes and expectations
• Inform students of course
requirements/evaluation/
feedback
• Inform students of
administrative or logistical
procedures
• Review syllabus/course outline
Setting the Tone
• Make effective introductions
• Show your credibility
• Qualifications, experience,
teaching philosophy, something
personal, etc.
• Demonstrate learning strategies
• Develop classroom guidelines
• Arrangement of physical space
Building a Community of
Learners
• Help students learn about you as
well as each other
• Collect student baseline data
• current knowledge
• motivation (readiness to learn)
• Whet students’ appetites
• Help to build relationships
Activity
• 7 minutes to brainstorm points
related to your topic
• Pass your flipchart paper to the next
group
• 5 minutes to read items and add your
group’s thoughts
• Pass your flipchart paper to the next
group
• 5 minutes for final round
Student Expectations
Faculty Expectations
• Each group will brainstorm a list
of expectations
• Group 1 - Yourself as the teacher
• Group 2 - Yourself as a student
• Group 3 – Ideas for Class Code of
Conduct
Our Classroom
Environment
• Attendance/Punctuality
• Participation
• What does respect mean in our
classroom?
• How we can minimize distractions?
• Teamwork
• Academic Integrity
Managing Classroom Incivility
Learning Students’
Names
•
•
•
•
•
Name tents
Sit in same seat
Give name before speaking
Photographs
Descriptive adjectives with
name
• Other ideas????
Ice Breaker Activities
• Help people to feel more
comfortable with themselves
and others
• Breaks up cliques
• Reduces students’ feeling of
anonymity
• Adds fun and energy
• Suggestions???
Icebreaker Link
Take Aways….
• List at least three “take-aways”
from this session. What
ideas/activities/strategies are
you going to incorporate into
your first class?
Review Time!!!
• The puzzle ??????
Puzzle Answers
• Across
•
•
•
•
2 – icebreaker
7 – syllabus
9 – motivation
10 – outcomes
Puzzle Answers
• Down
•
•
•
•
•
•
1- feedback
3 – communication
4 – physical
5 – evaluation
6 – qualifications
8 – attendance
www.puzzlemaker.com
Session Objectives
• Reflect upon the importance of the
first day of class.
• Identify key goals and activities for
the first class.
• Share ideas about student and
teacher expectations.
Reference
The First Day – Honolulu Community College