There is absolutely no shortage of ideas, activities or things-to-do during the first few weeks of school. Without question, I begin building my classroom community starting day one. If you missed the post on Caring Classrooms, go back and (re-)read it. My treat.
Then, check out this list and challenge yourself to implement ten ideas - yes, ten ideas - during the first few weeks of school. I have no clue why, but I always find solid ideas at Honolulu Community College's faculty website. Maybe that is an omen I need to take a trip to Hawaii and meet with my colleagues there.
Some of my favorite ideas from their list include.....
#19 - Seek out a different student each day and get to know something about him or her.
#20 - Ask students to write about what important things are currently going on in their lives.
#63 - Hand out wallet-sized telephone cards with all important telephone numbers listed: office department, resource centers, teaching assistant, lab.
#87 - Have students write questions on index cards to be collected and answered the next class period.
To be honest, I made myself choose those four. I would have replicated the entire list because the ideas are so worthy.
See for yourself and implement ten ideas with your students.
Happy back-to-school, you super educator, you.
Yes, you know who I'm talking about (wink).
Jen
PS - Be sure to enter the giveaway coming in mid-September!