The First Day GATAcademy 2012

Greg Paziuk and Jessie Beatty

Introductions Think about how you want your

students to see you Sets the tone for the semester – are

you serious? Are you casual? How much information about you do

you want them to have? How do you want to be addressed? Tie your dress into your image

Think About Your Image

Which picture projects a more professional image?

Ice Breakers Any activity or game that can be used to

introduce students to each other and the group as a whole

They allow students to make connections and build a support system

Lighten the mood of the classroom Let you get to know the students (and

learn their names!) Don’t just have to be used in the first day

– useful to do every so often throughout semester

Ice Breakers: The Question Game

Provide your students with individual lists of five characteristics or personality traits

Each student must introduce themselves to their neighbhours and record at least one name next to each characteristic/trait

Students cannot use the same person for more than one characteristic/trait

Your Expectations Think about them before the first

class! Be consistent Try to give students a realistic sense

of the workload Be clear about your policies:

participation/communication/attendance/etc.

Important Info to Address Contact information Office hours and location Syllabus

• Due dates• Grading scheme• Late policy• Plagiarism

How you present this info can determine how well your students retain it (this goes for assignments as well)

Make It Fun: Scavenger Hunt

Present your syllabus as a scavenger hunt that challenges students and emphasizes the important points. For example:

1. Break into groups2. Read through the syllabus3. Locate the following information:

The instructor’s office hours The grade weight for the Final Portfolio The late policy The title of the primary text book Finish this sentence: “To this end, each of you will be

asked to write in multiple genres…”4. All answers are final. The group which can locate each

item correctly wins a small prize

QuestionsFLAT QUESTIONS ENGAGING QUESTIONS

Anything with a yes or no answer

Planted answers Silences students Unnecessary repetition

Possibility of differing answers

The Three Second Rule Leads to discussion Reinforces concepts

Characteristics of Confidence

NERVOUS CONFIDENT

Fidgeting Pacing/rocking Speaking too quickly Stutters (um, uh, etc.) Unconscious repetition

and/or circling back Avoiding eye

contact/fixating Reading straight from

notes

Expressive gestures Moving with purpose Speaking at a measured

pace Deliberate

reiteration/re-emphasis of important points (repeating for a purpose)

Establish eye contact

How To Act Confident Preparation makes a difference

• Make a list of points you want to cover• Be familiar with the syllabus• Know your expectations

Don‘t be afraid to take a breath Make eye contact Be true to your personality – be

genuine

Questions?(we love ‘em!)