“Most teachers have little control over curriculum…but all have a great deal of autonomy inside the classroom. To a degree shared by only a few other occupations, education rests precariously on the skill and virtue of the teacher.” ~from a talk by Tracy Kidder
So, it’s that first day of the term. You and them. Them looking at you. Maybe they know you. Maybe they don’t. In a good way they are daring you to give them something worthwhile. They and you should not want the syllabus recited. They and you should not want trite platitudes (you know them all).
What they want is choreography and cool.
Here are a few suggestions for doing that introductory dance.
1. Here’s a definition of choreography totally adapted for the classroom. Choreography is defined as the movements, steps, and patterns composed by a teacher for a classroom, along with an array of content; the technique of representing the various movements and speech in a classroom by a system of notation; the arrangement or manipulation of the teacher’s actions known as a class.
Move around in the classroom, even a large class. Don’t sit and talk unless you’re a spellbinding speaker. Know exactly what you will do, write, say. Yes, it’s hard and it takes practice. But you’re a teacher, and that’s what teaching involves. Even if you’re experienced.
Twyla Tharp, in her book The Creative Habit says it very well.
“When I walk into [the studio] I am alone, but I am alone with my body, ambition ideas, passions, needs, memories, goals, prejudices, distractions, fears. These 10 items are at the heart of who I am. Whatever I am going to create will be a reflection of how these have shaped my life, and how I've learned to channel my experiences into them.”
2. Don’t be afraid to let others say things in unexpected ways. I use a TED (www.TED.com) talk by Sarah Kay titled “I have a daughter.” Sarah is a narrative poet. The talk is amazing. It’s about storytelling and much more. You can reference her skill to set the bar of the class, even a science class. Take a look.
3. Say these words. Exactly.
“As a member of this course, the college/department and I will have high expectations for you. We will expect you to treat this class just as you would your first job. We will expect your best effort and we will expect your best work. We will expect you to attend every class and let us know before the class begins if you cannot attend. We will expect you to participate in each class, to ask questions, to contribute to the discussion, to be present in spirit as well as in body. We will expect you to read often and to write and to speak well. We will expect you to remember the things you have learned in the classes that came before this class.
The standards of your education in this college/department will be the highest we believe you can achieve. The expectation will be great. We will turn you into the best and the brightest if you cooperate. If you do not, you will not succeed.”
4. Do an exercise. Here’s the instructions to the student. You will write a story about yourself. It will be printed on one plain white sheet of paper. Only two things will appear on this sheet of paper: your name on one side, and the story on the other side. BUT, THIS STORY CAN ONLY BE ONE SENTENCE OF NO MORE THAN 10 WORDS. That’s right…the story of you in 10 magical, creative, incredible, logical, emotional, informative words. Make the type size of the story at least 30 point bold. This story will be due next class.
When students enter the classroom next class, have them affix their stories on the wall. Their names will obviously not be visible. Go over them, reading each one, discussing each one briefly and non-judgmentally, and finally revealing the writer by having them stand up. It’s a great way to get to know everyone, even in a class as large as 30.
That’s all for now. More first day/first week in a week.
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