Student Centered from Day 1
I used to hate the first day of the semester as a student and now as a teacher. I was always overwhelmed by the amount of information the teacher gave out and as a teacher, always felt like I set the tone of the class as boring! So, with that in mind, here are a few ways I now start the first day.
- AP Government
- Video Syllabus (10 minutes): I show this to the students and ask them to take notes just like they would on a content video. I tell them to tell me when to pause it and how they knew what to write down for their notes. It is my way of teaching them how to watch a video. I also show them how to download videos onto their iPads at this time using roadshow if need be.
- Sample problem-based learning assignments
- Homework is then the first video that shares information they can use to solve the in-class problem.
- Tomorrow in class-we spend 10 minutes on a Q/A with the material, then delve into more problems to solve.
- Math
- Start with a problem-based assignment even if it is not perfectly aligned to that night's videos
- Yummy Math-Should you go for it on 4th down? Talk to students about using math to solve real-world problems.
- Give students time in the group to work on the problem, walking around the room when needed. Model good group behavior and thinking skills beyond just giving up. Even if they cannot solve the problem, ask them what types of things they would need to learn how to do to solve this problem.
- Ask students to record their group's answer and report on something like Today's Meet
- Explain that the nightly videos will help students learn the types of materials they will need to solve real world problems like that one as well as do well on tests. Take time to download the first video with students on roadshow and watch in class while students take notes on Guided Notes. Ask students to tell you when to pause the video. Model what good video watching and note taking looks like.
- Start the next block with a warm-up that covers the material in the video. I think here it is ok to be a little drill and kill, though if the warm-up is multiple choice, you could add in friendly controversy where students have to debate what the right answer is. This is a good opportunity to check each student's notes. Those who have completed the notes will have time to work on tonight's homework. Or as my colleague Tyler Bartolacci does, these students get to go on a shape scavenger hunt around the school while I (the math coach) supervise those students who did not watch the video!
- Teaching the syllabus comes in as the need arises. For example, talk about late work before the first homework is due or talk about test re-takes before the first test.
