Eight years ago I had my first day teaching at the high school level. I had a SMARTBoard in my room that I'd never used before. The first group of studeents walked in and I fired up the PowerPoint I had planned for the day introducing my syllabus, my rules, and the class procedures.
I couldn't get the SMARTBoard turned on. I made everyone turn to the back of the room and taught from the whiteboard. I was embarrassed.
Looking back, however, that was probably the most exciting thing that happened that day. For the next class, I got the projector going. I gave my presentation five more times that day . . . and was met with blank stares, uninterested responses to questions, and half-asleep teenagers. I was doing something terribly wrong . . .
We have an incredible opportunity in our first days back (whether in a parish or school) to set our class apart from the rest. We can either give the students something to believe in or promise them the same old boring class they will get everywhere else.
Next week I am hosting a webinar on "The Ten First-Week Mistakes You Must Avoid this Year." Here are the details:
I love Jared Dees! Here is a free webnair scheduled for this Tuesday to get you energized for the upcoming Religious Education year!! Easy and well worth your 60 minutes!!
From Jared Dees founder of The Religion Teacher:
Eight years ago I had my first day teaching at the high school level. I had a SMARTBoard in my room that I'd never used before. The first group of studeents walked in and I fired up the PowerPoint I had planned for the day introducing my syllabus, my rules, and the class procedures.
I couldn't get the SMARTBoard turned on. I made everyone turn to the back of the room and taught from the whiteboard. I was embarrassed.
Looking back, however, that was probably the most exciting thing that happened that day. For the next class, I got the projector going. I gave my presentation five more times that day . . . and was met with blank stares, uninterested responses to questions, and half-asleep teenagers. I was doing something terribly wrong . . .
We have an incredible opportunity in our first days back (whether in a parish or school) to set our class apart from the rest. We can either give the students something to believe in or promise them the same old boring class they will get everywhere else.
Next week I am hosting a webinar on "The Ten First-Week Mistakes You Must Avoid this Year." Here are the details:
You will learn:
- How to get your students to WANT to come back to class
- How to create a welcoming environment
- Why sharing your syllabus may be the worst thing you can do on the first day of school
- A simple approach to lesson planning (an update from the lesson planning guide)
I hope you will
join us.
Grace and peace,
Jared Dees
The Religion Teacher Author of
31 Days to Becoming a Better Religious Educator P.S. This Thursday is the
Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Premium members can access a short video and worksheet in honor of the saint.
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