More than an orientation to the course and a walk-through of the syllabus, a carefully prepared first day of class will help set the climate for the entire semester. This is true whether you are a novice or experienced teacher. Student perception of your level of preparation and enthusiasm directly influences their attitude and investment in the course. The strategies below can help create an inviting, collaborative learning climate right from the first day.

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Strategies for making the most of your first day:

• Identify Your Learning Space: Visit your classroom before the first day of class. Each classroom is shaped by physical features that affect teaching and learning. Do the activities you have planned require certain resources? What kind of moving do you or students need to do? In some spaces, tables and chairs allow you to change the structure based on the day’s lesson plan. In lecture halls, creative strategies can help. For instance, restricting seating so that some rows are saved for students to walk through can facilitate group work. Consider the technical capabilities of the room and how you can use them with different course activities.
• Show Enthusiasm: Sharing your enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity about the course topics models expert-thinking for your students. It also provides students an opportunity to think about the essential questions and knowledge-creation traditions in the discipline. Share the reasons you believe the course material is important with your students. Also, making personal connections can immediately put students at ease and open lines of communication.
• Use Icebreakers: Icebreakers are fun activities designed to help people get to know one another. They can also be designed to acquaint students with course content and expectations. When designing an icebreaker, consider your particular goals, group characteristics, and the necessary space or supplies. Learn more about facilitating icebreakers.
• Set the Stage: Share your expectations for the course. Include guidance such as learning objectives, classroom discourse expectations, and diversity and disability statements in your syllabus. Ask students what ground rules are important to them. See the syllabus template for more information.
• Explore Technology Tools: Teaching is inherently interactive, and there are a variety of tools to help you. Organizing materials into Canvas modules can help students efficiently access course materials. Learning technologies such as e-portfolios and classroom polling systems, which allow students and instructors to respond and interact thoughtfully and efficiently, can transform the learning experience.

Selected Resources

• The University Faculty website includes information from the Dean of Faculty and faculty handbook, as well as resources for you and your class.
• Canvas Learning Management System
• Cornell also offers many resources for students:
  • Dean of Students Office
  • The Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives is focused on inclusion and achievement across the Cornell campus
  • The Learning Strategies Center offers a wide range of support services for students, including tutoring, study skills workshops, and courses
  • Cornell Health delivers integrated medical and mental health services and resources: Cornell Health CAPS (Counseling & Psychological Services)
  • Office of Student Disability Services