First Day Idea: Writing to Learn
Adapted from: Fulwiler, Toby. Teaching
with Writing. Portsmouth, NH: Boynton/Cook, 1987 (page 12)
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Ask students to write for five minutes: "List everything
you know about [course subject]."
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Ask volunteers to read aloud what they have written; assure
them any response is OK. On the blackboard, make a list of topics
that come up as people read.
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After 10 minutes, ask students to write for a couple minutes
about one item from the list on the board in as much detail as they can.
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Ask volunteers to summarize what they've come up with.
Add to the discussion anything that will enhance some of the ideas.
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After 10 minutes, ask a third question: What questions do
you have about any ideas that came up today? (2-3 mins). Either list
responses on the board or collect the questions to address at the next
class.
Last Day Idea: Note to the Next Class
Keith Weber, Communication Studies, WVU
Have students write a note to a student who will be taking
the class next semester. The note should tell about:
a) The workload the student can
expect throughout the semester
b) The toughest main points
of the class
c) The most difficult assignments