First lessons Penny Ur Maalot, 4/9/07

What is most important in the first lesson(s)? Have an orderly lesson, to serve as a model for the future Learn names Give preview of what we’re going to be doing this year Avoid ‘serious’ learning activities Include fun activities Include “getting to know you” activities Clarify ground rules for discipline / classroom management Make sure there’s some substantial learning of English Tell them something about myself If feasible, give out and make a start on the textbook Have a game to finish off the lesson Take the register (tick off names on the class list)

What do you believe? I believe that the top priority is enjoying English lessons (E) I believe that the top priority is learning (English) (L) I believe that the top priority is establishing authority and having orderly lessons (O) I believe the most important thing is personal relationships (PR)

How did you score? Probably any reasonably ‘rounded’ profile is OK: depends on one’s teaching style. If you have lower than three points altogether on any one axis – you may need to think about it.

Some ideas

Ideas for getting-to-know you ‘warmers’ Find at least three things in common with your partner Pass the ball, calling out people’s names Each pupil introduces him/herself, say something special about him/herself ‘What’s your name?’ round the class: beat the clock, or beat your own (class) record

Ideas for ‘solid’ learning of English Starting the book as soon as possible Teaching a dialogue / new words / new expressions to be reviewed next time (Older classes) Each pupil writes a few words about him/herself and what he/she hopes for or expects in English this year

Ideas for making the lesson interesting and enjoyable Game combined with review, e.g. ‘Quick Bingo’ or guessing games Decorating notebook (for younger classes) Teaching or just listening to a song

Ideas for establishing ‘ground rules’ Essential preliminaries –Make sure you’ve found out what the ‘ground rules’ are at the school (e.g. if it’s allowed to send a pupil out of the class or not) –Establish a good relationship with the homeroom teacher! Then Just tell them what the rules are! Elicit their ideas on acceptable rules and penalties, then go away and work out a document to present next lesson (Don’t detail too many rules: just basic ones about lateness, homework, and disturbing in class) Express positively: ‘be on time for class’ rather than ‘don’t be late!’