how do you start the year?

[serek207]

I currently teach technology to grades 1st through 6th and was wondering how other technology teachers start the year.

I'm on my second year of teaching technology (taught 5th grade for 5 years prior). I felt I did pretty well starting technology last year but I'm always looking to expand my knowlege.

Just looking to see if there are any fresh ideas out there or cool activities you carry out.

Thanks so much and have a fabulous day!
~Lisa

[newteacher]

I am starting my first full year as a technology teacher (grades K-5)... (I was a permanent sub from the end of January - June of last year)... I would love to hear some of your ideas for starting out the new school year.

-Kristen

[azletchr]

I teach at a junior high so mine may be different that with lower grades but here goes!

I always start with class rules. Mine are not the basic be kind to one another! I spend one whole class period of 45 minutes going over what they can and can't do. As would be expected most of the rules have been made due to someone doing something inappropriate! I feel that if I cover them the first day it cuts down on problems. I have my rules in a powerpoint saved that I tweak each year as needed.

The next day is spend going over how to turn on the computer and log in. Each of our students has a personal log in and password. The first time they log in each year they are prompted to change their password. This process lends to teaching about secure passwords and keeping them secure. Each student also has a personal drive on our server. A certain amount of storage for their school work. I go over how to locate, use and organize the "P" drive. Since this is always something very new for our incoming 7th graders as our elementaries don't use this, they have a difficult time.

After we have successfully completed logging in I cover Internet Safety. We have a filter on our system that protects our students at school but I feel a moral obligation to go over more safety for their safety! Through the years of teaching technology the percentage of families with computer has reached almost 100%. I am always surprised by the number of students that have had no instruction on internet safety.

This schedule take approximately one week.

This year I plan on doing a workshop for parents one evening to go over Internet Safety with them.

Libby


A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops. Henry B. Adams

[kingrichie]

I don't like to get into anything to heavy at first, because the class lists always change by the 2nd week.

[Boxcar]

A whole period of rules?! Wow. Even at the middle school level that seems like a lot of rules. I guess I do see why they are necessary. Computers are expensive and need to be handled appropriately.

I agree that it is best not to get into anything too major on the first day. New students are likely to be coming in. Also, you don't want to shock your students into having a bad attitude toward the class. First impressions do matter. Some students may decide your class is going to be terrible, and that will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

[Chef Dave]

The nice thing about being a chef instructor is that all of my new kids i.e. "new to me" will be in my beginning culinary arts classes. Students from last year who have again signed up for culinary arts will all be in my advanced class ... which means we can begin production on the first day ... subject to a minor review regarding the rules for sanitation and safe food handling.

At my school, students have 2 weeks to drop or change a class without penalty. Most teachers spend the 1st week doing very simple things as their class lists are in a constant state of flux.

[teach1027]

I would just start basic to see what they know. Kids are more savvy than we are.