The Guide to Teaching

First Day of Classes

From: parker@powernet.net
Date: Mon, 8 Dec 1997 08:07:00 +0000

I use the index card opening in all my classes, not just Pol-Sci. I
ask for name, student ID number (SS#), major of choice and an answer
to a question such as "What is politics?" I pass out the cards at
the begining of the class.
After a few brief introductory remarks about who and what I am, I
ask each student to read his name, major and answer to the question.
After finishing, I inform the students that they have just
demostrated that they posess all the skills necessary to pass the
class; the ability to read, write, think (the reason for the
question) and speak up and participate aloud in class.
I have found that this serves as a good ice-breaker, gives me a
solid record of the first day's attendence that I can match against a
not always reliable computer-generated roll sheet, and a nice opening
into a discussion of what is politics (or history or what ever else I
ight end up teaching).

< topic statement | next >

{ Top of Page }

Copyright for the messages in this section belongs to their author.

Teaching Politics is published by William J. Ball (ball@tcnj.edu)