Monday, June 2, 2008

Beginning of Class


The beginning of class is important to a class period. At our high school we have 43 minutes with the students so time is crucial. There are 3 parts to the beginning of class:

1. Agenda for the day. Your agenda for the day should be posted everyday before the students enter the room. It should not be a secret of what is going to happen within that class period. Students no longer come into our rooms asking us "What are we doing today?". The agenda can be as detailed as you wish or could just say "video" if that is what you are doing for the class period.

2. Objectives/Outcomes. You should have objectives posted for the day. What are the students going to learn? This will help the students get more focused as they walk into the room and get them to start thinking. One to three outcomes a class period is typical. When writing an objective, we always put these words in front "By the end of the class period, you will be able to ...........

3. Bell Ringer. This is a little job for the student to do when he/she walks in the room. The bell ringer should be based on previously learned material. Some teachers use the bell ringers as questions on their tests. Many teachers have the students write them down everyday and keep track of the questions & answers.

When our administrators walk in the room, they are looking for these 3 things on our boards. Beginning of class is very important and these things help to get class rolling each day.

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