appetizers

In the context of the course, ask students to write down a short statement of opinion about something related to the course and/or something in the news. Have a discussion in which they compare their ideas to those of other students. The practice reading laterally …

Libraries can be intimidating. Here are a couple of ways to break the ice while setting up a low-stakes writing or speaking activity. Goldilocks goes to the library: try out three different places in the library to sit and work on homework, visiting all three …

Part of the first semester experience involves self-representation and identity. If you want students to think about their identity formation and the kinds of code-switching we all do, moving from one situation to another, ask students to create a photo diary of a day in …

The first term seminar helps students find their place at the college. This is partly knowing about programs and offices that can help them succeed, but it’s also about seeing themselves as college students, as writers, and as curious and thoughtful new members of the …

So, you want your first term seminar to focus on cultivating critical reading habits and understanding the rhetorical moves of arguments. Bravo! These are information literacy skills, even if you’re not asking students to use the library to find sources for a paper.  Here are …