The First Day of Class - Student Centered to the Extreme Dr. Cathlin Davis

First Day of Class What we usually do: read the syllabus ice breaker activity homework out early?

First Day of Class Maybe try something different… Center Rotation a series of activities students complete individually or working in groups

CREDE model 1) Teachers and Students Producing Together Facilitate learning through joint productive activity 2) Developing Language and Literacy Across the Curriculum 3) Making Lessons Meaningful Connect curriculum to students’ experience and skills. 4) Teaching Complex Thinking Challenge students toward cognitive complexity. 5) Teaching through Conversation Engage students through dialogue, especially instructional conversation. crede.berkeley.edu

First Day of Class Center Rotation The students work, talking and thinking The professor guides

Subject Matter Courses Language and Literature Oral Communication/Composition/ Critical Thinking Children’s Literature/ Philosophy/Humanities History and Social Science Early US History/California History/American Government Ancient World History/Geography Visual & Performing Arts Art Music Theatre Mathematics Science Chemistry/Physics Geology Biological Science Computer Science Physical Education & Human Development Human Development/Second Language Acquisition Kinesiology

My Senior Seminar Course Three major units:  Mock Interview  Group Research Project  Subject Matter Portfolio

Opening Rotations Syllabus Center Students read the syllabus (or at least start) questions on sticky notes

Opening Rotations Group Presentation day one Brainstorm day two Build connections Later Repeat these steps with their own project

Opening Rotations Mock Interview Brainstorm information for curriculum vitae and cover letter (written component of assignment)

Opening Rotations Subject Matter Portfolio 5 of 9 centers brainstorm concepts learned list classes taken go over questions with me evaluate examples (twice)

Rotations Your turn: Station 1: your core assignments Station 2: presentation planning Station 3: Subject Matter concepts

Opening Rotations Presentation Planning step two: three ideas get linked visual representation of what they do in their groups no stress – it’s not their real project

How to Design a Center Subject Matter Portfolio procedures grading rubric and examples the annoying “about” unclear on concepts –”I don’t remember” panopticon.csustan.edu/davis/4960

How to Design a Center Looking at Examples “physics” good and bad examples introduction of rubric they do what I’ll do

How to Design a Center Focus on a specific task Students should: work together in pairs or triads be able to complete the task in time be able to work independently

Final Tips: Be Organized Organize groups in advance Put all materials for each center in a folder Make a list of what you need: markers, post-it notes, worksheets, other materials

Final Tips: Be Brave Give up control on the first day They will read the syllabus They will understand the assignments You can answer questions and give more information in later classes