EXPERIENCED ENGLISH TEACHERS: Please Help Me!!!?

Question

On next Monday I am going to start a new semester at High School as an English Teacher.

Unfortunately, I did not have any resources to plan my first week... this was due to several factors, including null support from school authorities and the English Department. Anyway, I need to focus on my next move.

I will have two groups:

1) One of first semester students (1st time they take this course) Average Age: 16

2) The other of third semester students (they have been in this course for one year) Average Age: 17

In both cases, the English level is ADVANCED, and they will be prepared to take the CAE of Cambridge University.

I have found out a warmer already for my first semester group (this will last one day) but I do not what to do during the rest of the week with both groups, meanwhile I am waiting for my teacher’s book as well as the students receive theirs.

Any ideas about what to do during my first week? I will appreciate any help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

I am an experienced ELA teacher in the US.

Here are some great ideas for the first week.

1. Quick, "get to know you games" such as scavenger hunts, name games etc.

2. Get a baseline of individual skills by having them write a one-page response to the Langston Hughes' poem, "Theme For English B". and /or Anne Sexton's "Where I'm From." Both these poems inspire the students to write a page about themselves. You can save A LOT of time getting to know your students by having them write an autobiographical, creative piece in response to poetry. It beats the archaic "What I Did Over the Summer Break" essay too!

3. Don't start a major unit. Instead, why not start with several short stories? Poe? Huxley? Bradbury? King?

4. Choose a current event from the newspaper and hold class discussions, and give them various writing prompts.

In short, the first week should be about getting to know who is sitting in front of you, rather than bombarding them with information and work. Believe me, most of them don't want to be there. It's your job to make them feel like they are in a safe haven before you're able to increase reading and writing skills. Best of luck, and happy school year!

Answer 2

I am a recently retired teacher and IF you are a new teacher, the most important thing is to not let them know you feel out of control. I had to sub in middle school my first time subbing in middle school like the 2nd day of school , the advanced math and I had no lesson plans, no role, no books nothing !!! So I made a decision of what I would do and I did it and pulled it off with confidence. I think you can pull anything off if you think it thru first, this happens in teaching as often you don't get support from the top.

Answer 3

A writing assignment is always a good start to the year. It will give you immediate information about what writing skills you need to teach, and you'll get their very best writing because they are fresh and probably want to please you. Also, they will realize that you're a serious teacher who does not believe in wasting time.

You can assign a prompt, have students write about themselves, have them write opinions about current events like the war in Iraq, the problem of teenage drinking, etc. The next day, give them an editing checklist and have them self-edit. Then have them peer edit. Collect the papers. Have them rewrite on the third day.

The Internet is a great resource for lessons. You'll find a treasure trove of lessons at these web sites:
http://hometown.aol.com/MEZIM/index.htm (school opening)
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/lang_mid.htm
http://www.monmouth.com/~literature/
http://www.webenglishteacher.com

Answer 4

Go to your local teacher supply store and invest in a book. There are tons of them. The best advice is to spend the first week of 2 drilling procedures and expectations. Also, find an old copy of the test and start drilling. Make a game out of it like
"The Weakest Link", or have them write a review of their favorite book, or turn it into a screen play. Give them topics to research, like colleges or careers they might be interested in.

Answer 5

I am sure this is going to sound obvious, but you can read a book in class to high school-ers. If you are waiting on your materials, read and then make them write journal assignments on their thoughts of the book. If you have longer class periods (since the block scheduling usually does) read for half and discuss for half.

I will recommend this book - it is high school level and is short, and can be finished in a week.

It was read aloud in class by my teacher when I was in freshman english.

Answer 6

www.abcteach.com