Rethinking the First Day of School

 A couple weeks ago, I came across an article titled, "The Absolute Worst Way to Start the Semester" and was inspired to rethink the first day of school.  For the last few years I have used an introductory activity to practice historical thinking skills.  The idea behind the activity was to empower students to practice being historians from day one.  They are presented with an artifact and must use what they know to build a back-story, predict certain facts, and ask appropriate questions.  Here is the basic plan:

Materials Needed:

• Images of historical events, art, or artifacts.  I recommend buying calendars in January gives me quality images for pretty affordable prices.  Cutting up the calendar may seem counter-productive, but I have collected some great material over the years.
• Laminator.  Prolong the life of the images by protecting them.
• Historical Thinking Worksheet

Set-Up:

1. Glue the image onto colored construction paper so hide the calendar on the back.
2. Cut up the images into pieces that look like a puzzle.  Students in my class sit in groups of four; therefore, I cut each image into pieces of four.
3. Place all pieces face down (color side showing) on a table near the door so when students enter the class they can grade a puzzle piece.
4. My room is already set up in pods/groups with large tables.  For this activity, it would help to already have this set up to reduce the amount of time necessary for collaboration.

Procedures:

•  As students enter the classroom, each should take a puzzle piece.  If there are pieces left over due to class size, just keep them aside for the next part.
• Tell students that they will be grouping based on the puzzle pieces.  They are responsible for finding the other pieces that complete their image.  Once they have constructed their puzzle, find a table to sit at and complete the next steps.
• Each student will start by introducing themselves to the other members.  They can also share one history topic/event/person that is most fascinating OR anything they are comfortable sharing on day one.
• Then students will complete the "Historical Thinking Puzzle" worksheet.
• If time permit, I have students post their puzzle  and worksheet on larger poster paper around the room so that each group can do a gallery walk to add ideas or questions.

I am the Teacher Technology Lead on my campus and starting writing monthly newsletters last year.  My first newsletter is all about this same topic.  Here are the recommendations I made to try and change up the first day in order to avoid the boring "go over the syllabus" lesson:

1. Create Learning Stations: Develop several tasks associated with your content are that students can explore independently or in small groups. Have students interact with content, questions, images, and texts. Empower students to ask their own questions and develop their own responses.
2. Motivational Video: Find a TedTalk or content related video that addresses the major themes associated with your content. Have students engage in a quick-write and small group discussion about the message of the video and then predict how it relates to the course.
3. Problem Solve: Present students with a typical problem or task associated with your content area. Let students think through, and probably struggle, to develop a solution or potential explanation. This task will allow students to practice the processes and thinking skills that will be addressed through out the year.
4. Go Outside: Find somewhere on campus that would inspire students to think about your content area. Consider the topic, questions, and task students can complete. Frame your content spatially so that students always see they are surrounded by the content we teach.

#4 really got me thinking.  I think I might try sending my students out onto the school campus to find an artifact they think someone uncovering our school in 500 years.  They will take a picture and then provide an analysis of the image (similar to the Historical Thinking Puzzle questions).  I would also challenge them to consider how someone might mis-interpret the use and have them come up with some alternate explanations.  Still mulling around the idea.  They can easily share the images through Google Drive and we can create one giant Google Drawing document with the artifacts and commentary.

Whatever happens, one thing is for sure: my students will not be sitting for long; they will not hear me talk very much; and, they will definitely have to develop their own set of questions.  One of my primary tasks over the course of the year is to help students develop the ability to ask questions.  Therefore, that is what we will do on day one.

Please share some of your ideas in the comments section.  I'd love to get some new ways of re-thinking the first day of school.