Date: 12/07/2014
By: Sara
As you can image, it is pretty typical to be nervous the first day of teaching--that even goes for those who have been teaching for years! A few points to remember as you tackle your first day of class:
1. The first day is an excellent time to offer a diagnostic writing prompt. Some teachers have a standard prompt they use semester to semester, while others prefer to relate the prompt to current events. Whichever you select (see the Assignments page for some suggestions), the end result will not only help you assess the strengths and weaknesses of your students, but also allow you to start matching their names to their faces to their ideas.
2. Believe it or not, some of your students are just as nervous as you are the first day. This is why it is important to outline your common goals for the course (asking students about this might be a great diagnostic prompt) and share with the class your expectations for attendance, participation, and classroom behavior.
3. Finally, keep in mind your students are coming into the classroom already believing you have mastered the skills they hope to achieve. In other words, they believe in your ability to teach them--so you should, too!
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Date: 12/09/2014
By: SJ
I'd like to know--any funny first day stories out there? Share your best, strangest or most unusual first day teaching here in the comment section!
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