I’ve had quite a few first days since I taught my first class (last century, cough cough). Regardless, I’ve always reviewed Lang’s How to Teach a Good First Day of Class since it first appeared in the Chronicle a few years ago. It is always updated for the new school year and focuses on four key concepts to help set a productive first impression:
- Curiosity
- Community
- Learning
- Expectations
The article is chockfull of good ideas and useful tips that can be skimmed quickly.