Day 1 Lesson-Getting to Know Your Students

 In need of a quick emergency lesson plan? As a 24 year classroom veteran, I would like to share some tips and ideas that have helped me build strong relationships with students, and have led to great conversations. 

Here is a day 1 activity:

1.) Avoid spending your first day going over your rules and expectations. Yes, I said it. Instead, pass out your syllabus and tell your students to read it over for homework. You can then go over your syllabus throughout the week in short chunks. I mean, really? Who wants to listen to a teacher go on and on about hall passes and 3-ring binders on the first day of class...or any day for that matter?

2.) Get them talking- ask each student to find an object that represents who they are. Students can say, "I'm like a pencil. I make mistakes but can easily go back and make changes." Or "I'm like a backpack. I like to hold things in, but I'm also very helpful." 

3.) Depending on your students' ages, you can have them use figurative language such as similes, hyperboles, or metaphors. 

4.) Have each student share their item with the class. I often have the rest of the class take notes and then turn the paper over. We then play a quick memory game to see who can remember each classmate's object. Kids love a challenge. 

5.) After each student has shared their item, turn this activity into a writing activity. For example:

    -Write a short journal: Explain your Intro Object and then tell me more about yourself. Describe what you like to do for fun, your goals, your fears, and other interesting facts about you. Include a list of your favorite songs, movies, video games, binge-worthy shows, etc. 

    -Write a Who Am I poem (click here for a template). This can be turned into a collage

    -Have student create a Vision board using Google Slides (click here for steps) 

Hope this idea helps. Let me know how this goes. And remember, the best classroom management tip I often give teachers is breathe. The name of the game this year is not trying to avoid stress but learning how to manage it. Good luck out there friends.