In the past, I have spent the first few days presenting rules and procedures on my own. This year, having determined that students need a better way to interact with said rules and procedures (and expectations), I decided to create a small packet that I dubbed a follow-along. Now, as I flip slowly through our Back-to-School slides on the SMART Board, students follow along on their sheets and take notes. Each block on the follow-along coincides with a slide on the board, and each slide on the board represents several minutes of instruction, presentation, practice, and explanation (along with a certain amount of pizzazz).
Students seem to be responding well to the process, and I've been happy with the way they have been paying attention so far. During these first days, I traditionally do a great deal of the talking, but with students more involved in the conversation, I've been able to stretch out the talking. Things are taking longer, because I'm explaining them with more detail and clarity - yet another highly important item in presenting our upcoming year.
Students seem to be responding well to the process, and I've been happy with the way they have been paying attention so far. During these first days, I traditionally do a great deal of the talking, but with students more involved in the conversation, I've been able to stretch out the talking. Things are taking longer, because I'm explaining them with more detail and clarity - yet another highly important item in presenting our upcoming year.
