First Week Communication
For this activity, we reflected on ways we would create a community in our online course in our first week by thinking of an ice-breaker activity. In addition, we created an introductory email for the students to be sure they were able to get into the email system and respond to an email. These activities in the first week are important to the beginning of the course to ensure a community of learners is created and to make all class members feel comfortable and welcome.
I was in a session at a conference and we did this ice breaker and I found it so much fun to write and to listen to my team members as they read their poems. I modified it a bit so that there would be some personal information as well as some professional information.
I was in a session at a conference and we did this ice breaker and I found it so much fun to write and to listen to my team members as they read their poems. I modified it a bit so that there would be some personal information as well as some professional information.
Ice Breaker Activity
I am from... poem (0riginal)
Describe familiar items/activities found around your home
Sights, sounds, and smells from your neighborhood
Names of foods and dishes enjoyed at special family gatherings
Familiar family sayings
Names of relatives or other important people who are a link to your past.
I am from... poem (modified for a course)
Describe familiar items/activities found around the place you work or learn
Sights, sounds, and smells from the place you live or grew up
Names of foods and dishes enjoyed at special family gatherings
Words or sayings you would use or hear when coaching others
Names of people who have inspired you to become the person you are
Describe familiar items/activities found around your home
Sights, sounds, and smells from your neighborhood
Names of foods and dishes enjoyed at special family gatherings
Familiar family sayings
Names of relatives or other important people who are a link to your past.
I am from... poem (modified for a course)
Describe familiar items/activities found around the place you work or learn
Sights, sounds, and smells from the place you live or grew up
Names of foods and dishes enjoyed at special family gatherings
Words or sayings you would use or hear when coaching others
Names of people who have inspired you to become the person you are
My Response
I am from children in the hallways, bells ringing, lunchroom chatter, collaborative planning, co-teaching, choir concerts, Halloween parades, formative assessments, and dress-up days.
I am from birds chirping, cows mooing, manure smells, fresh air, kids laughing, cookies baking, and people talking.
I am from hot dish, tomatoes with sugar, bologna with jam, meat fondue with sauce, salad with jello, bloody marys, fish fries, sparnsfarkles, dessert bars.
I am from "What are your ideas?", "What would you like my role to be in this lesson?", "How can I support you?", "What do you think about this tool?", and "Let's reflect on that activity.".
I am from mom, dad, brothers, sister, aunts, cousins, colleagues, Mark, and Sue
I am from birds chirping, cows mooing, manure smells, fresh air, kids laughing, cookies baking, and people talking.
I am from hot dish, tomatoes with sugar, bologna with jam, meat fondue with sauce, salad with jello, bloody marys, fish fries, sparnsfarkles, dessert bars.
I am from "What are your ideas?", "What would you like my role to be in this lesson?", "How can I support you?", "What do you think about this tool?", and "Let's reflect on that activity.".
I am from mom, dad, brothers, sister, aunts, cousins, colleagues, Mark, and Sue
First Week Email
Dear ________,
Welcome to ______________________. I am looking forward to learning with you for the next eight weeks. The course officially begins on ____________________, and you should have already received your welcome/introductory email from the school. I would like to be sure that you have received this email, so please respond to this email and change the subject line to include your last name followed by the course name. This will be your first "test".
In this course, any necessary email will be sent to your school account so please be sure you are able to access it. I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Kris Sheehan
Instructor for ___________________
Welcome to ______________________. I am looking forward to learning with you for the next eight weeks. The course officially begins on ____________________, and you should have already received your welcome/introductory email from the school. I would like to be sure that you have received this email, so please respond to this email and change the subject line to include your last name followed by the course name. This will be your first "test".
In this course, any necessary email will be sent to your school account so please be sure you are able to access it. I look forward to your reply.
Sincerely,
Kris Sheehan
Instructor for ___________________