{"id":4949,"date":"2017-02-03T18:08:16","date_gmt":"2017-02-03T18:08:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dev-tufts-provost.pantheonsite.io\/celt\/?page_id=4949"},"modified":"2017-08-23T20:32:37","modified_gmt":"2017-08-23T20:32:37","slug":"before-the-first-day-of-class","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/initiatives\/inclusive\/changing\/before-the-first-day-of-class\/","title":{"rendered":"Before the First Day of Class and the First Day of Class"},"content":{"rendered":"<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;The beginning is the most important part of the work.&#8221; &#8211; Plato, The Republic<br \/>\n<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<table style=\"border-color: #000000; background-color: #f2f2f2;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<h2>A Few Guiding \u201cPrinciples\u201d<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The playing field is not level, and it is our job to level it.<\/li>\n<li>We have choices to make in design and interactions every day that provided opportunities for continual improvement.<\/li>\n<li>Engagement and relationship are key for learning.<\/li>\n<li>Students\u2019 lived experiences are content.<\/li>\n<li>Teaching to the margins improves learning for all.<\/li>\n<li>Intelligence is not fixed. Develop a growth <a href=\"http:\/\/mindsetonline.com\/howmindsetaffects\/mindsetforachievement\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mindset<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>We should assume all identities are in the room all of the time.<\/li>\n<li>Transparency is essential.<\/li>\n<li>Feedback at regular intervals impacts how successful we are.<\/li>\n<li>What would you add to this list?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Some Effective Practices and Considerations<\/h2>\n<h3>Before the first day of class:<\/h3>\n<p>1.\u00a0\u00a0Get to know your students, help them know you, and help them know each other.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>a)\u00a0\u00a0Get the roster, and if possible, pictures, so you can begin to get to know your students ahead of the first class.<br \/>\nb)\u00a0\u00a0Give your students some information about yourself &#8211;\u00a0Introduction Video or welcome email or message before the first day.<br \/>\nc)\u00a0\u00a0Have students introduce themselves online or through \u201cbio cards\u201d for both large and small classes. Ask whether they have a\u00a0preferred pronoun.<br \/>\nd)\u00a0Learn and use student names. Make sure everyone learns the proper pronunciation.<br \/>\ne)\u00a0\u00a0Use and relate office hours as an opportunity to get to know your students early in the semester, and for them to get to know you.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>2.\u00a0\u00a0Make sure the physical space accommodates everyone.<br \/>\n3.\u00a0\u00a0Consider how to keep costs down. Provide alternative ways to get readings and books that cost less, or see if your school has funds\u00a0available.<br \/>\n4.\u00a0\u00a0Some students work and need to pay attention to schedules \u2013 don\u2019t assume everyone is flexible.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5292 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/files\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"52\" height=\"28\" srcset=\"https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720.png 960w, https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720-570x306.png 570w, https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720-850x457.png 850w, https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720-250x134.png 250w, https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720-360x194.png 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 52px) 100vw, 52px\" \/><strong><em>Reflection\u00a01<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/files\/Inclusive-Environment-Chart-for-website-1.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Inclusive Environment Chart<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Click on this chart that lists some ideas for creating an inclusive climate.<\/p>\n<p>Included in the second column are some of the things that most of us do.\u00a0 As you read through, check off in front of it the ones you already do.<\/p>\n<p>In the fourth column are ideas for how you might enhance what you already do by using more inclusive, student-centered language, and some new ideas that you might like to try.\u00a0 As you read through this list, check off a few you might like to adopt or adapt.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5292 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/files\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"52\" height=\"28\" srcset=\"https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720.png 960w, https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720-570x306.png 570w, https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720-850x457.png 850w, https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720-250x134.png 250w, https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720-360x194.png 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 52px) 100vw, 52px\" \/><strong><em>Reflection\u00a02<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Write a welcome email or develop a script for a welcome video for your class to send to students before the semester begins. Consider how this communication might set an inclusive and supportive tone for your course, what you want to let students know about you as a teacher, how it might help set expectations for the learning environment.<\/p>\n<h3>The first day of class:<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>\u00a0Spend less time planning to review details on the first day, more time creating a relationship \u2013 connection is key.<\/li>\n<li>Greet students as they enter the class.<\/li>\n<li>Facilitate an introductory exercise.<\/li>\n<li>Set ground rules for conversation together.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-5292 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/files\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"52\" height=\"28\" srcset=\"https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720.png 960w, https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720-570x306.png 570w, https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720-850x457.png 850w, https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720-250x134.png 250w, https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/thought-bubble-305053_960_720-360x194.png 360w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 52px) 100vw, 52px\" \/><strong><em>Reflection<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Ground Rules<\/h2>\n<p>Ground rules are a very important component of creating an inclusive climate. When possible, it helps to have students help generate them, but make sure everyone understands what is meant. You can always add some as well.<\/p>\n<p>Check out<a href=\"http:\/\/www.edchange.org\/multicultural\/activities\/groundrules.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0this online guide\u00a0<\/a>for generating ground rules.<\/p>\n<p>This is a <a href=\"https:\/\/edocs.uis.edu\/plang1\/WGS333\/classdiscuss.htm\">set of\u00a0ground rules\u00a0published in Women\u2019s Studies Quarterly<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>And<a href=\"https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/files\/Ground-Rules-We-Like_handout.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/files\/Ground-Rules-We-Like_handout.pdf\">these\u00a0are some\u00a0ground rules (PDF)<\/a>\u00a0we have gathered over time that we particularly like.<\/p>\n<p>For tips on <a href=\"https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/initiatives\/inclusive\/changing-2\/before-the-first-day-of-class\/helping-students-create-their-own-ground-rules\/\">how to help students create their own ground rules.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div>\n<hr \/>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<p><strong>Back to:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/learning-2\/\">Learning: What Do I Need To Know?<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/changing-2\/\">Changing: How Do I Get Started?<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/assessing\/\">Assessing: Is it Making an Impact?<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;The beginning is the most important part of the work.&#8221; &#8211; Plato, The Republic A Few Guiding \u201cPrinciples\u201d The playing field is not level, and it is our job to level it. We have choices&hellip;&nbsp;<a class=\"moretag\" href=\"https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/initiatives\/inclusive\/changing\/before-the-first-day-of-class\/\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":0,"parent":4522,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Before the First Day of Class and the First Day of Class - Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/provost.tufts.edu\/celt\/initiatives\/inclusive\/changing\/before-the-first-day-of-class\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Before the First Day of Class and the First Day of Class - Center for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"&#8220;The beginning is the most important part of the work.&#8221; &#8211; Plato, The Republic A Few Guiding \u201cPrinciples\u201d The playing field is not level, and it is our job to level it. 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