M7: First Day Planning

The first day of class can differ greatly amongst programs. For some, it is typically a syllabus day, as well as getting students familiar with their educational environment and their classmates. For many program faculty whose first day can be four to six hours long, you will want to prepare a lesson plan that does not only include the syllabus and introductory activities, but familiarize students with the program and get them excited for their learning.

The First Day

With your syllabus built, and a course schedule roughly created, you will be able to survive the first day. The first day is also essential in making a great impression and setting a tone for the rest of the quarter. 

Please consider the following lesson plan for your first day:

• Ice-breaker(s) Links to an external site.
• Classroom and program policies 
• Class contract / Norm setting (students participate in developing) 
• Overview and introduction to what will be taught/learned during the quarter and how that ties into other classes
• Introduction (lecture and demo) and practice of some basic/introductory knowledge and skills

By the time students leave, they should know exactly what they have signed up for, including but not limited to:

• Schedule of class and attendance policy.
• Clover Park behavioral policies.
• The grading scheme for the class. 
• Supplies that the students need and where to get them. 
• Anything else that will be relevant to the student's success. 

After covering the syllabus, you should be able to answer any questions the students have on what they need to be successful in your class. If the students feel surprised by something, it can sour your relationship with the students, and it could also lead to a student filing a concern. Please be especially clear about your grading policy, as poor grades tend to be a large motivator for why a student would complain.

Fee lists are also especially important to point out multiple times, because students may not hear that information the first time, and then be surprised by fees. Fee lists Links to an external site.

Before the students leave, it can also be good practice to tell them what they will need for their second day of class and the rest of the quarter, so if there are any specific materials needed, now is the time to tell them, especially if it is expensive. Some students do not have the same amount of disposable income that other students have. They need to budget very strictly to go to school, so being as transparent as possible about the cost of the class is essential.

• TLC LibGuide Links to an external site.