I taught all 9th grade last year, and this year I'm teaching both 9th and 12th. On the first day of school I do a true/false quiz about myself (got the idea from the forum!) so that they can start getting to know me right away. My 9th graders LOVED THIS, but I'm worried that the seniors will think it's too childish. Does anyone have any ideas? What do you do on the first day?
I think people of all ages would love that activity on the first day. Thanks for the idea. I hadn't read it any where else. I have also done 2 Truths and A Lie about myself and then let the kids do one about themselves. Very successful and it helped us get to know everyone.
Seniors sometimes enjoy "kiddish" activities MORE than the other classes because they are starting to get a little nostalgic! LOL! SERIOUSLY! They are a crazy group to teach. If you're in a big school where they all don't know each other, then People Bingo is still fun for both ages. I didn't generally play more than 1 or 2 rounds of this because I wanted to move on to other things (I'm at a small school now, so I don't do it at all). I try to incorporate movement into my classes as much as possible, so I get them up and moving a lot during that first day. This year, I'm going to post survey questions around the room on butcher paper, and as they enter they fill them out. When they are finished, we'll get up and line up and organize based on the various answers (this also gives them a chance to informally group and get to know each other). Afterwards, because I'm an English teacher, based on their data, I'm going to have them create a Wanted Poster for the typical student at X high school -- or I might have them do one for themselves with their picture and hang it around the room... Hmmmmmm... Just thought of that while I was typing... I like that!:woot: With sophomores and juniors, I've had the kids start the "Who Rocks Your World" project on the first day from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame lesson plans. http://www.rockhall.com/teacher/sti-lesson-14/ It's a fun way to jump into English right away. They get to do some mini-research, write a little and speak in front of the class. The kids usually really enjoy this project. Each of my students has his/her own laptop, so research time is not a problem for me. Anyway, that's what I do! (Wow, I just reread my post and realize it sounds like I'm rambling... Sorry! I just got a little excited!)
A teacher did this in my own class when I was in 12th grade and we loved it. The teacher brought in a big suitcase full of her shoes. She then dumped it out for the class to see. They then had to write a paragraph about who the teacher was based on her shoes.
I'm not big on those activities, but I have taught Seniors a LOT. As long as you approach it with a smile, knowing it's not the most important thing in the world, they'll be happy to play along. These are the same kids who will argue a point on a test for half an hour... if it means they'll get a 90 and the accompanying sticker.
Can you tell me more about the true/false quiz? I'll be teaching 9th graders as well as 7th graders. Thanks.
Wow yeah can you tell me about the true/false quiz too. In classrooms previously, I have been involved in icebreaker 'personal bingo' games which have been an effective way to introduce the class and start the term. A yr 12 agriculture class I have had were more excited to have a "find the word puzzle" or "beef cattle production snakes and ladders" than any other year groups in the school. So i wouldn't worry about being too childish .... super idea
Some of the questions were: Justin Timberlake is my favorite celebrity. (TRUE) I despise ketchup. (TRUE) I love the smell of fresh laundry. (TRUE) I am an only child. (FALSE) When I was born, the doctors told my parents not to expect me to live. (TRUE) I have a black belt in karate. (FALSE) I didn't learn to tie my shoes until I was in 3rd grade. (TRUE) I only have four toes on my left foot. (FALSE) I think I had about 20 questions, but I don't remember all of them right now! THE KIDS LOVED IT!
No-Name Nametags This is a first day activity which they create name tags without their names. I use construction paper cut in half, but a variety of other materials can be used. Each student chooses a piece. I tell them to pick a color that relates to them. (mood, favorite, etc.) They are to decorate the nametag, but only put their name on the back. I buy cheap do-dads at Big Lots, Wal-Mart (buttons, fun foam...) I like the multi-packs of scrap-booking paper, too. They use a lot of this. They can also use items from home since it will be their first assignment. Oh--they can also cut their nametag in a shape that describes them, too. They must use symbols, colors, objects, pictures, etc., that represent themselves. I encourage them to think beyond football player, cheerleader, and focus on who they are when they are away from their friends; quiet, reflective, bookworm. If they want to say they play a sport, I encourage them to look for other descriptive words, such as, competitive. Once they have created their nametags, each student explains his/hers to the class. This lets me hear their verbal skills and see their personalities. I can tell who will probably be the quiet students and who will be the performers. I ususally have a few who don't bring it in finished. This gives me a small inclination as to who the " never have homework completed" students might be. I don't expect everybody to be an artist, and those who simply draw on their nametag still have fun explaining it. Because I start the class by going over classroom procedures and expectations, we run out of time to finish. This is their first assignment. I always tell them that this will be the easiest assignment they receive from me all year. It is worth 10 points. I use sticky tac and hang them on my closet doors. They look nice, add color, and each class has fun guessing who made which nametag from the other classes.
just wanted to say thanks for this thread! i am going to be teaching seniors for the first time (in an AP level class nontheless!) and was trying to think about how I might handle the first day.
I had thought of passing out computer paper and a crayon and have the students write either 3 words that they like or 3 words that describe them but those words have to start with their first initial of their name. For example, "I like kittens, kites and kazoos" and they have to share with the class what they wrote "Hi, I'm Katy and I like kittens, kites and kazoos." THEN once we are finished, they crumble up their papers and have a "snow ball fight" for 30 secs (reminding them this is the ONLY time they are allowed to throw anything in my class) and after 30 secs they have to pick up their closest snow ball, read it and find it's owner. I think it is INCREDIBLY important the kids know each others name... so this activity will help. I plan to spend the first few minutes of each day going over names and then at the end of the week have a name quiz =o)
i love the shoes idea! haha. I did a workshop on beginning of the year activities a few years ago and have a pretty big packet of ideas. If anyone wants to check it out just PM me with your email addy and I can send it to you. Personally, I think the older kids will still like the activity. The only thing I change up on the first day of school is that with freshman, alot of them dont know each other either so I try to do activities that help them know me and each other. Seniors usually know each other, so I can kind of skip all that a little.
OK, I got two new ideas that I'm using this year! We'll see how these work (when we start on Thursday!) For my regular sophomores, when I hand out my syllabus and procedures, I'll hit the high points of my expectations but not go over all the details of the classroom (grading policy, late work, leaving the room, fire drills, supplies, etc....); instead I'll give them a sort of "scavenger hunt" of questions about those things. They can work in partners, going through my handout or looking around the room to find the answers. I figure, they tend to tune out if I stand up there and talk through it all, so this will be sort of a game and involve them a lot more so they might actually remember it (imagine that!) ETA: of course after 10 minutes or so I'll go over it to make sure they found the right info! For my honors sophomores, I'm having them write a "Haiku About You" revealing something I wouldn't know about them. Share with the rest of the class. Most of these kids will know each other and will know what Johnny is talking about in his poem, but I won't always, and I'm sure I'll have to ask "so what's the story behind that one?" sometimes. Then that's a teachable moment to point out how when we're reading any writing, we get so much more out of it if we know the background, the history, the culture, etc. of whoever wrote it - which is why knowing that background will be an important part of our literature study this year. **This is how I visualize it going anyway, I haven't tried it so I hope the haikus work out how I think!** Then the second day we're going to do some practice "close reading" of a sample text, which is also what we'll be doing tons of this year. Then go over syllabus/expectations on the third day for that class - that seemed quite late to me, but I got this suggestion from the other honors 2 teacher so I'll try it! Sorry I'm rambling!
Hey I would love to see some of your ideas! I am a new member and the site is not letting me PM you for some reason, but feel free to message me!
I just registered so it won't let me PM you, but I'd be interested in the packet for sure! Can you PM me? I will try again after this post and see if it will let me message you.
I am having the same problem. I am teaching four different elective courses with students from every grade (9-12). I am trying to find an appropriate 'ice breaker'.
Name Juggle This is my first year (2nd day) teaching but I have owned my own consulting business for nearly 10 years. I teach Intro to Business and Technology 9-12 grade (mixed classes). Since I really know very little about teaching I am relying on my motivation classes. I have 5 classes with 100 students total so remembering each name was frightening. I played this name game as a team builder so I and my students could know each other's names. I pushed the chairs back to make room in the middle of the room. I have everyone form a circle. First you tell the students you are going to throw a ball (I used a tennis ball but you can use any 'soft' object) to a student and say "Hi, my name is Ms. M what is your name?" They catch the ball and say, "Hello, Ms. M my name is Fred" then they toss it to another student saying "What is your name?" This repeats around the circle until everyone has had a chance to toss the ball and say their name. Sounded easy but they had a tough time with some giggles. 2nd time I say "Well, that was okay but really not too good - let's try one more time but faster" I toss the ball it goes around better and they are feeling a bit cocky. I say "Yea, that was good but you can do better" They all groan and complain but I insist and toss the ball, a couple seconds later I toss a second ball saying the same thing - What a surprise! no one expected another ball and start to panic. I toss in a rubber ducky then I tossed a stuffed dog. Pretty soon everything is flying around and everyone is laughing. When all the stuff returns to me I go around say everyone's name and introduce myself. If I don't remember a name I always ask. Then I ask if anyone else thinks they can do the same. Every time students wanted to try. It really made remembering names easy and fun, got the students moving, and was great for all grades. I just read through this post also - sorry sounds so long - really the activity only takes about 10 - 15 minutes. I love this forum. Thanks for posting!
I found a cute idea I'm going to try this year. It invovles toilet paper so I thought it would be fun. You pass around a roll of T.P. and tell the kids to take as many sheets as they want. THey have to take at least one and no more than ten. You don't tell them why, you just tell them how to take as many as they need. Once everyone has taken theirs you take some yourself. Then you tell them to write one interesting fact about themselves on each sheet. Once everyone has finished you go around the room. Each student stands up, introduces themselves, and reads their toilet paper. It sounded like fun to me. This year I'm trying to work on building community and fun in the classroom along with learning and I thought this would be a nifty way to start.
I am a student teacher this year but I am going to try an idea that we did at the beginning of a methods class I took in college. I'll let you know how it goes next month but its called "Museum of Me" I've seen it on other sites so I know its not unheard of but I liked it as a college student so I can imagine the kids will too. mini synopsis: On the first day the teacher brings in 5-10 items that tell something about yourself. For example I brought in a picture of the coliseum (I spent my study abroad there), a t-shirt from the preschool camp I taught at (even though I'm secondary), a running shoe, a CD, etc. Then you place them on a table and tell the kids to write a few sentences about what they think each item means and volunteer to share them, then you tell a little bit about each item and what it means to you. For the first homework assignment you tell the kids to bring in items for themselves the next day (if the items are things they arent allowed to bring to school like ipods, encourage them to print pictures). And then set their museums up on desks. Then assign a desk to a different student and have them write what they think each item means and afterwards have the actual student do a mini explanation. Kind of a basic explanation but very cool. I like the lesson because you can bring up the concept of sources and interpreting photographs, etc in history and how objective it is.
WOW! Where did all of these HS teachers come from? So many new ones on this thread. FANTASTIC! INTeacher, I just stole the "Who Rocks your World" writing assignment. My juniors will love this. I also stole the T/F teacher quiz ... that will be my 1st day bell work. Cool!
Look at the dates on the post ku_alum :lol: But that's the thing about good ideas, the are timeless :lol:
HA, INteacher! I didn't even notice! I hadn't logged into AtoZ all day and when I finally did this evening, I thought "holy smokes! new teachers coming out of the woodwork!"
That was my idea, actually. I've been using it with my juniors for many years now, and yes, they do love it!
I usually do a combination of the toilet paper and snowball fight. I have the students pass around a roll of TP and then for each square they have to write one fact about themselves on a piece of paper. After each student has filled out their slips of paper, I ask them to crumple up each piece of paper. Then, for 30 secs. they get to have a snowball fight and afterwards, race to pick up as many snowballs near them as possible. I give out prizes to the kids that can retrieve the most snowballs. Then they have to read out each snowball fact and try to guess the student that wrote it. The kids always love it! However, this year I'm going to try something new that I did over summer with my summer school class. It's called the 5-minute archaeologist. I stuff several trash bags with "clean trash," things like old McDonald bags, Starbucks cups, paper plates, clothing tags, receipts...things like that. I put the kids into teams, and each team has to go through the trash with gloves and tweezers and document what they find. They then have to write a paragraph about what they think the person to which the trash belongs, is like. Also, they have to draw a picture of what they think the person might look like based on the contents of the trash. The kids love to act grossed out, even though I make sure all of the trash is clean.
Yes! Even though there are so many posts on here from 07, they are still great ideas! Here's something I've done in the past. I call it World Cafe. First, I have students group themselves into groups of 4-5. This allows me to know who their friends are on the very first day and who to not seat them next to later . I have an overhead of questions that are covered up. As soon as they are in their groups, I tell them to choose one person to be the manager of the group. Next, I show them the first question. The first question is basic; something as simple as, "Name three really neat things you did this summer". The students then go around and share three things they each did. I usually only give about two minutes, but it also depends on how their conversations are going too. Next, I tell them that if they are not the manager of the group, they need to stand up and find a new group to go to. Once again, they choose a new manager (not the original person!) and I uncover the next question. This question might be something like, "What is one strange thing that has happened to you in the last year?" I give them time again. I usually do this for about 8 different questions. Below are some more questions. If you could have any car, what would it be and why? What is your favorite color? What emotion might go with it? What is the best vacation you've ever been on? What is the best place you've ever been to? Who is someone you really admire? Why? Name your favorite book, movie, or video game. Defend that title to someone who doesn't agree with you that it is great. That's just a start! Another thing we do is make rules together as a class. I make sure they are reasonable, of course, but students can make rules such as, "Food is allowed in class". If they do this, though, I make them tell me something they will do for me if they are allowed food. One way to make the rules is to put students into groups and give them an instruction sheet for a Classroom Rules Poem. There has to be at least 8 lines. The poem can rhyme, but it doesn't have to. It can be as crazy and zany as they want it to be. They also have to decide as a group how they will share it with the class, making sure everyone has a speaking part in the presentation. Then, as a class, we write the rules they put in their poems on butcher paper and come up with 6-10 rules as a class. I type them up and the next time they are in class, they all sign them and I hang them up on a bulletin board.
At the moment, I am unable to PM you. I'm curious about your activities. Would you be able to email them to me? Thanks.
When you guys do "2 truths and a lie" do you do it in pairs? Do you have each pair later share with the class? Love the ideas on here!
Can someone post up the Rock Your World lesson? I clicked the link and it took me to a broken page on the R&R Hall Of Fame
http://rockhall.com/education/resources/lesson-plans/sti-lesson-14/ Contributed by Nora Murray, Harding Middle School, Lakewood, OH Rationale In this lesson, a subject of high interest to students is the vehicle for teaching skills that may be perceived as boring to students. Nominating a performer for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame allows students to recognize and verbalize what qualities they value in music as well as in a performer. The business letter format forces students to communicate their opinion in a clear and organized manner. By reading their letter of nomination to the class, students also have the opportunity to develop their public speaking skills. Objectives The students will: 1. write a business letter 2. use details to support an opinion 3. demonstrate public speaking skills 4. clarify their own values regarding music and performers Materials induction criteria for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; list of current inductees (optional); CD/tape player Time Frame Approximately three 40-50 minute class periods. Audience adapted to grades 5-12, English or music classes. Procedures Day 1 1. Review the criteria for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 2. Allow students five minutes to write a paragraph stating who they would like to see inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Students may choose artists from any era but if they choose a contemporary performer, that artist may not be eligible for some time yet. In that case, students could imagine that they are writing sometime in the future. 3. Review the format for writing a business letter. 4. Explain to students that they will be writing a letter in support of their candidate for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Nominees will be voted on in class with awards going to the top performers selected. The letter must be a minimum of four paragraphs and should include the following: * introduction * description of performer and music * reasons why they should be inducted * conclusion Remind students that a letter that is too long may lose the interest of the judges! 5. Students may begin their letters in class and complete for homework. Day 2 1. Students participate in peer editing to proofread letters. 2. Students begin to rewrite letters. 3. Remind students that they will be reading their letters to the class the next day and they should bring in a tape or CD of a song by their nominee. Review public speaking skills with students. If this is their first public speaking opportunity, an entire period will be needed to familiarize them with skills such as the following: * eye contact * clear speaking voice and good pace * varying tones * clear knowledge of topic Day 3 1. Students orally share letters and play a sample of their nominees’ music. The audience should record nominees, their qualifications, and personal reactions to the nominee. 2. Class votes for inductees. 3. Whenever votes are tallied, the top 3 winners or a number of teacher’s choice should be posted with the accompanying letter (or letters if several students choose the same artist). A prize such as a gift certificate to a music store may be awarded. 4. Share the list of actual inductees of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Evaluation Students will be evaluated by their peers during the writing process. Students are given the opportunity to rewrite their letters before submission to the teacher for a final evaluation. Feedback through comments and/or a grade should also be given to the student for the oral presentation. Enrichment 1. Students compare their nominee(s) with actual inductees of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Research to find out the qualifications of actual inductees (this could be done via the library or as part of a field trip to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum). Students write a follow-up evaluation of their choice. Why or why not does an actual inductee (of the student’s choice) belong in the Hall of Fame and do students still think their nominee belongs? 2. Have students develop their own criteria for inclusion into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Have students consider the following when deciding upon qualifications: * Should there be a time or longevity requirement? * If not, how can judgments be made about an artist’s lasting impact on music? * What role should commercial success play in the induction process? * Should the music be the sole qualification or should other factors be considered? * For instance, should performers be required to be positive role models? Should community service or other humanitarian efforts be considered? * Do artists have a responsibility to their industry--for example assisting young and upcoming artists? Students might want to research other Halls of Fame (such as baseball, football, inventors’, etc.) in order to learn about their induction processes. 3. Have students research their personal nominee and expand the business letter into an essay.
Please Help! I would LOVE that packet if you are still sending that out to people. I will be starting my first year of teaching in 2 weeks and am SOO nervous about the first day of school! Any ideas are welcome and appreciated!
beginning of year activities You mentioned you had a lot of activities for the beginning of the year. I am looking for some ideas.
To answer the initial question, my seniors dig the teacher true/false quiz just as much as freshmen do. This year I'm having the kids do 2 Truths and a Lie after my T/F answer PowerPoint ; )
To begin a new session, i prefer 'Spin the yarn'. We just pronounce a word to students. They add new words to it ( group by group) and very soon the story reaches a hilarious point.
I am teaching Special English and i'll probably have one or two students in my class the first days..can you give me some ideas for activities?
