Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chelle]

I work at a public middle school. Normally I begin class with a greeting and a couple of questions and then proceed to an icebreaker activity. We recently changed textbooks so we have to cover more material, so there isn't time for an icebreaker anymore. One of my teachers suggested I ask the following questions at the beginning of each class:
What day is it today?
What's the date?
What year is it?
What's the weather like today?
What's the unit?
I can see incorporating these questions in every so often, but every day? I feel it's too repetitive and boring. Especially since she asks these questions the other 3-4 days a week she meets with the same class. It was only a suggestion so I am free to to do whatever I want, just wondering if anyone else can come up with some other ideas or provide me with insight as to how they usually begin their class. Or is this effective and should I stick with it?

[Michelle]

[dunc180]

Sounds like you have a fairly unimaginative co-teacher. Either that or she is poorly trained.

The first 5 minutes or so is probably the most important part of a lesson. It's when many students decide to tune in or tune out. So it's good to have something stimulating to capture their interest and draw them in.

Try some visual material, video clip, or even an activity that gets them out of their seats (for the kinesthetic learners, of which many students in your class will be). The material needs to be linked in some way to the topic/subject matter you will be teaching.

For example, if the topic is weather. Perhaps you could show some pictures of a flood or flood damage. Have it displayed somewhere (print outs on the blackboard or, even better, projected on the white board if you have an OHP) as they are arriving to class. Then ask some questions to get some discussion going about the picture and topic.

It doesn't have to be long. Just 3 minutes, if time is of the essence. But you'll find that students will be more attuned to the lesson using this method.

[jonpurdy]

[DrugstoreCowgirl]

You could try doing something quick like "Stand up. Wave your hands in the air. Jump up and down. Pretend you're kicking a ball. Sit down. Let's start class."

[mmstyle]

One or two questions might be okay, but that is really best suited to elementary. I teach middle school, too, but I just stick with maybe one of those, plus a "how are you?" Pretty soon they learn that I don't let them say, "I'm fine, thank you and you?" and have to get creative (This really only lasts for first grade for any length of time, and I use it as a small foundation for the first speaking test).

When I taught elementary school the kids would try to make this last 20 minutes! Every kid wanted to talk, and tell me why they were so great/terrible/happy etc. Alas, middle schoolers just don't care that much. I miss elementary sometimes.

I agree with others that icebreakers are best. But then, I don't really have to follow the curriculum....my CTs use it all up on me. I wonder how many people do use the MS curriculum? OP, do your CTs want you to do pages out of the book? Do they talk to you about them? MY CTs hate to talk curriculum with me!