First Day

The idea for this lesson plan comes, in part, from a book study in which I recently participated, so credit for the main idea goes to guy named Doug Diehl. The plan would be appropriate for high school & older students. Technically the book, Blue Like Jazz, is non-fiction and leans toward the philosophical, but it is written and reads much like a fictional novel. I believe this introductory lesson could be adapted for use with any type of book. The plan was effective, interesting, and motivating. It made me want to read the book and come back again the next week.

The book makes reference to jazz music and coffee houses circa the 60's, so the first time we met we were greeted with a coffee house setting with jazz music playing in the background. This really set a great mood for the study session. The first session was also some people's first exposure to the book. My spin on this idea is implementing it in a situation where there was no chance for preparatory reading and encouraging people to hang out and read. I would recommend reading rapidly, not being concerned with detail, but rather reading to get a sense of the style, main theme, and time period of a book.

We had a choice of one of three tasks for our assignment, each connected with a thread introduced in the first chapter of the book. (Since we were meeting weekly, adjustments in the tasks would be necessary to accomodate a daily class.)

1. Write a proof that other people existed.
2. Make a list of self-centered moments.
3. Create a collage of what people like.

There's always a first day of class, or a first day of a unit and often some students prepare ahead and others don't. As I experienced it, this plan was highly motivational and would ease that first day, when not everyone is starting from the same place.