The start of the year is an important time to establish routines, get to know your students and their abilities, and go over the learning areas that will be covered during the year. This page is for sharing ideas for activities at all levels during the first two or three weeks.
Year 9 and 10 will have PATs in about week 3, which will give you an indication of their reading comprehension, vocabulary and listening skills. Andrea oversees these tests in her role as literacy co-ordinator.
Letter to your future self
Provide the students with neat stationary, an envelope, and pens. Explain to the students that they will be writing a letter to themselves and they will open it on the last day of school. In the body of the letter, the students will first describe themselves and how they feel on the first day of school. The next paragraph, the students will write how they would like to change this year, what they would like to improve on or what they want to know. The students can share or keep it private depending on the content of their letter. Have the students address the envelope to themselves, the room number and make sure the letter is dated. Students can decorate their envelope with stickers or color it if they wish. On the last day of school, it is so much fun to read the letters and see if the students' plans for themselves came true. (By
Carolyn Riffel)
"Me" Collages
Students create collages using pictures, symbols and words from magazines. They are to illustrate things that are important to them, things they like to do etc. I ask them to bring a photo from home to add, or I take pictures myself, which they can cut and glue on. When they are finished, I ask them to work in small groups and explain to students why they have chosen the images they did. Students enjoy this activity, and other students like to look at the finished products. (By Lynn)
Three truths and a lie
Each student is given an index card and instructed to write down 3 things that are true about them, and one that is false. They can write anything they want, but encourage them to brainstorm ideas that may be tricky for others to figure out. Next, have each student read his or her list to the class. Some students will have a hard time getting through their lists without laughing... but, this is why it is such fun. Call out #'s 1-4, and have students raise their hands to vote on which number they think was the lie. I usually do my card as an example before the students start so they can fully understand the idea:
1. I fainted once after falling of my mountain bike because I scraped my knee.
2. I am terrified of clowns.
3. I bungee jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge.
4. I once ran 18 miles straight.
The lie is number 3 because, I am also afraid of heights. Then the students can ask questions about the truths, and it gives the reader a perfect opportunity to talk about themselves. (By
Kim Western)
Step-by-step essays
By introducing the essay structure with a "how to..." topic, the students are "forced" to use a different paragraph for each step.
1) Teach the basic essay structure.
2) Have the students create a "How To..." essay based on the essay structure. Examples: how to groom a horse, how to make brownies, etc.
a) Paragraph 1: Introduce topic and briefly state the steps
b) Paragraph 2-4: Step 1-3 (or more if necessary)
c) Paragraph 5: Re-state the steps
3) Have the students read their essay to the class (and possibly show the steps with props).
VARIATION: Have students create typed essays and Power Point presentations. Turn in the essay and use the Power Point when presenting to the class. (Each slide is a different paragraph - good for organization.) This is great for the beginning of the year because the students get to know a bit about each other (based on their essay topics) and I get to know about them. (By
Christine Helwig)
Year 9 and 10 will have PATs in about week 3, which will give you an indication of their reading comprehension, vocabulary and listening skills. Andrea oversees these tests in her role as literacy co-ordinator.
Katrina's Possible Junior Intro Unit
Suggestions for introductory activities:
Ideas from www.lessonplanspage.com:
Letter to your future self
Provide the students with neat stationary, an envelope, and pens. Explain to the students that they will be writing a letter to themselves and they will open it on the last day of school. In the body of the letter, the students will first describe themselves and how they feel on the first day of school. The next paragraph, the students will write how they would like to change this year, what they would like to improve on or what they want to know. The students can share or keep it private depending on the content of their letter. Have the students address the envelope to themselves, the room number and make sure the letter is dated. Students can decorate their envelope with stickers or color it if they wish. On the last day of school, it is so much fun to read the letters and see if the students' plans for themselves came true. (By
Carolyn Riffel)
"Me" Collages
Students create collages using pictures, symbols and words from magazines. They are to illustrate things that are important to them, things they like to do etc. I ask them to bring a photo from home to add, or I take pictures myself, which they can cut and glue on. When they are finished, I ask them to work in small groups and explain to students why they have chosen the images they did. Students enjoy this activity, and other students like to look at the finished products. (By Lynn)
Three truths and a lie
Each student is given an index card and instructed to write down 3 things that are true about them, and one that is false. They can write anything they want, but encourage them to brainstorm ideas that may be tricky for others to figure out. Next, have each student read his or her list to the class. Some students will have a hard time getting through their lists without laughing... but, this is why it is such fun. Call out #'s 1-4, and have students raise their hands to vote on which number they think was the lie. I usually do my card as an example before the students start so they can fully understand the idea:
1. I fainted once after falling of my mountain bike because I scraped my knee.
2. I am terrified of clowns.
3. I bungee jumped off the Golden Gate Bridge.
4. I once ran 18 miles straight.
The lie is number 3 because, I am also afraid of heights. Then the students can ask questions about the truths, and it gives the reader a perfect opportunity to talk about themselves. (By
Kim Western)
Step-by-step essays
By introducing the essay structure with a "how to..." topic, the students are "forced" to use a different paragraph for each step.
1) Teach the basic essay structure.
2) Have the students create a "How To..." essay based on the essay structure. Examples: how to groom a horse, how to make brownies, etc.
a) Paragraph 1: Introduce topic and briefly state the steps
b) Paragraph 2-4: Step 1-3 (or more if necessary)
c) Paragraph 5: Re-state the steps
3) Have the students read their essay to the class (and possibly show the steps with props).
VARIATION: Have students create typed essays and Power Point presentations. Turn in the essay and use the Power Point when presenting to the class. (Each slide is a different paragraph - good for organization.) This is great for the beginning of the year because the students get to know a bit about each other (based on their essay topics) and I get to know about them. (By
Christine Helwig)
HA/HP/HS's 2010 Introductory unit
Other useful websites:
teacher.scholastic.com