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!

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

“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.

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.