Thank you Marion. I like the speed acquainting and I can tie that in with introductions by having each pair introduce one another to the class. Then I can correct their grammar while they are speaking. (kidding, of course!)
Carol:)
--- On Fri, 8/19/11, Maryann Whitaker <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
From: Maryann Whitaker <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: First Day Icebreakers for College English
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Friday, August 19, 2011, 11:40 AM
I use something I call "speed acquainting" as a first-day icebreaker. I arrange the students in a pattern similar to speed dating and give them two minutes to talk with each other. I model the information for them by telling them a little about myself in two minutes. I have found that most students enjoy the experience and that it sets an interactive tone for the rest of the semester. Even students who are shy or who would normally not connect with other students enjoy the interaction because it is short and structured.
On Fri, Aug 19, 2011 at 11:28 AM, MARTHA KOLLN <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
I remember a first-day experience when I had the students write to me about their own experience with writing--i.e. what they want me to know about them. One student had a question: "Are we allowed to use 'I' ?"
Martha
On Fri, Aug 19, 2011 09:41 AM, Carol Morrison <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Thank you John, and everyone for all of the helpful advice. I really felt stuck or hung up on the first day for some reason and all of these ideas should provide for a very rich first couple of classes. I am planning on doing student introductions the first day as well. I think using grammar/writing terminology right away is wise too, so students will become familiar with the lingo and not make the grammar a separate part of the learning or secondary to the writing. (Even though they have a separate grammar handbook). I plan on using all of these ideas! Thanx again.
Carol:)
--- On Fri, 8/19/11, John Dews-Alexander <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
From: John Dews-Alexander <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: First Day Icebreakers for College English
To: [log in to unmask]
Date: Friday, August 19, 2011, 9:13 AM
I think introductions around the room are helpful for all if class size allows for it. I always provide a structure for the introduction because I remember what it was like not knowing exactly what to say.
On the first day of any language arts class, I enjoy discussions that emphasizes the cooperative, non-lecture-only type of environment. My initial goal is to get the students thinking about what English/Language Arts classes are really all about and what they encompass. We look at the overlap of grammar, composition, and literature and how they are difficult to appreciate/study in isolation, without reference to each other. I want them to understand WHY we will touch on all of those things.
A grammar survey is also applicable--not a survey of skill but one of experience. In other words, I want to gague the level of "grammarphobia" in the class and get a sense of the students' experiences (or lack thereof) with grammar and language analysis (word level, sentence level, paragraph level, etc.).
Best of luck! You'll do great!
John
On Thu, Aug 18, 2011 at 3:59 PM, Carol Morrison <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
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
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Maryann S. Whitaker
3rd Year Doctoral Student
College of Communication & Information Sciences
University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL
Roll Tide!
"Once a government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear." Harry Truman
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