The days are flying by as I rapidly approach the first day of class on 8/31, and I am trying to think of a good first day plan for introducing myself and my courses to the students. My final schedule will now be (2) sections of COMP 101 and (1) section of Basic Writing. Aside from handing out the syllabus, and introducing myself to the class, do any of you have some good ideas for day #1? We used to do a diagnostic essay, but the college has done away with that, which I am relieved about for many reasons: mock “grading” or commenting on student writing before class has even commenced and also the idea that this essay will somehow diagnose what illnesses the students’ writing suffers from or what might plague it. Another term that has been used is “writing sample,” which I also find off-putting, maybe because it conjures up the image of a urine sample which will be tested to see if it comes out “clean.” Anyway, I think the first day is important for many reasons: it is the first impression the students will have of me as their instructor and also can be a deal breaker for some students who will drop after the first day if they don’t like what they experience. Any ideas? I am also presuming at least half of the students will not have purchased texts, so I don't want to dive right into that the first day.

Thanks so much.

Carol Morrison