You’re right, kids wig out when it comes to sharing what they’ve written, especially when it’s got to be shared in speech form. It’s good to give them some practice early on.

Have you heard of the toilet paper game? You ask the kids to tear off a typical amount of toilet paper that they’d use. If they’ve done the activity before, they might wise up and just tear off a square, but it’ll still be silly fun. Once everyone’s torn off their share, explain to them that each square they have will represent one thing they’ll share about themselves to the class. Start off yourself to get the ball rolling.

Another thing you could try is to have them write down 3 things about themselves. Tell them one of the things can’t be true. When they read them to the class, the class has to decide which “fact” is the one that’s made up. Not only does it allow the students to share things about themselves, it also forces them to be creative, and it engages the whole class when it comes time to guessing.

Have them write down their top 3 or top 5 of things they like- movies, music, tv shows, books (for books, might as well say 3). You can just let them share them with the class, or you can have them interview classmates for the answers and then let their partners introduce them to the class w/that information. Another twist would be to let one person read one of their favorite movies. Anyone else who has that movie listed on their own top 3 or 5 stands behind that person’s desk. It’ll help them see what they have in common with one another.

I agree with the professor who points out that high schools vary greatly in their quality. It seems logical that the same is true of homeschooling and its students. Your implied statement that because you are successful, and your boyfriend, friends and classmates are less so, that it is therefore true that this holds true for all homeschooled and schooled students is faulty logic. Your success or failure has no relation to the successes of other homeschooled students. I also want to point out that you sound as though you’re boasting. FSU is ranked 48th among public universities. That’s good, but it’s better known as a football powerhouse. You also commit your own writing errors. Your sentence below is a run-on: Besides social skills (and that’s really up for debate) do today’s high schools teach anything that actually helps to prepare a student for post-secondary education and adult life? I’ve noticed students who can barely read and write, have no study or time management skills, take no accountability for the quality of their work, don’t understand how to do research and solve problems without a teacher, etc, etc, and this is a very high ranking state university. In addition, you’ve asked a question not too long ago about basic algebra. I’m sure if you pick at my writing, you’ll find errors. That is my point. We all make them. You would learn a lot more if measured your successes with your achievements rather than by judging others. It really doesn’t leave a good impression of homeschooled students in the eyes of others.

I once had a professor in my education classes in college do a great getting to know you activity to build community among the students. Have half of the students make an inner circle facing outwards then the other half put their desks facing the inner circle. Basically, it’ll look like a donut. Then make up several discussion questions (ex: What’s you favorite movie and why? How many sibling do you have? etc). They can get deeper than that depending on the age of the children. After each question have either the inner circle or outer circle rotate until the circle has gone completely around. Basically, the students will at least meet half of the class. Good luck!

I am not sure what your view is on extra credit, but I think this is an awsome way to get to know the students and give them a little help along the way!

Here are the ones that I did. We posted them up on the bulletin board for a short time.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/CLCnRAF5601/Picture003.jpg

This one was doing the I Am Poem:

I am ________ (smart and funny)

I wonder ______ (why people die)

I hear _______ (the beat of my own drum)

I see _______ (the good in people)

I want ________ (a new mustang)

I am _______ (first, middle, last name)

I pretend to be a ______ (genius)

I believe ______ (in jesus)

I touch ______ (people’s lives and hearts)

I feel _______ (love)

I worry _____ (about the future)

I cry ________ (when I am feeling overwhelmed)

I am ______ (a teacher)

I understand _______ (that friends come and go)

Have them cut out a picture to go with their answers.

Cover:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/CLCnRAF5601/Picture001.jpg

Inside:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a304/CLCnRAF5601/Picture002.jpg

This one can be done on one sheet. I just did mine differently.

Have them put their first name in big print somewhere at the top.

Have them list 3 adjectives describing themselves.

Lover of (4 things)

Who fears

Who would like to be a _____

son of/ daughter of ______

brother/sister of _____

Last name at the bottom.

have them find pictures of their answers.

I allowed them to take them home to work on them so classtime wasn’t wasted.

Have the kids write 4-5 words about them on a piece of paper. Then take all the papers, mix them and pass them around. Now every kid has to say something about the person whose paper they are holding.

I like this idea because I think it’s easier for the kids to talk about someone else rather than themselves (especially on the first day).

if the class isn’t too large (less than 30) I like an old summer camp game. Ist person says,”My name is ………, and i like

puppies(whatever); second person says, “his name is ……….., and he likes puppies, my name is >>>>>>>>>>>, and I like fishing; third person repeats name and likes of first two, adds his own, and so on around the room – Teacher has to do them all, or pay some amusing penalty (stand on your head, etc.) – in short, humanize everybody. If you have a dip stick in the class who says “this is stupid”, just carry on with – “his name is …….., and he thinks this is stupid -” then see where that takes you, and have a strategy ready for that – but create humor if possible.

these suggestions are such a waste of time. I am appalled at the wasted time in HS. I teach elem ed. Between stuff like this, videos and lack of expectations, high school needs some improvement. Spend the first day teaching something!!

Sorry to be contrary, but all those get-to-know you activities seem to just waste the first day and the students get one in every period. I much rather spend the first day explaining how to use the text, going over expectations, and starting in on the material.

*****

The students are going to meet each other on their own, if they already haven’t done so.