Prepared by Barbara Cler
YOU! is an introductory handout that I have used in all of my classes. I incorporate it into the first day of class. It is an essay assignment for the students to introduce themselves to me. This assignment shows the students that I am very interested in them and in what they think. It also tells me a lot about the students in my classes. I incorporate it into the first day of class and I believe that it contributes to a harmonious atmosphere and mutual respect between my students and myself.
In the first part of the essay the students tell me about themselves. This includes their name, grade, where they live, parents, brothers/sisters, and other family members they would like to tell me about. Here is where I learn a great deal about their home life. I have learned about who they consider to be in their "family" members such as the Fido and even a boa constrictor. For those students who might be very sensitive about revealing too much, I preface this assignment with the statement that they are to share only information that makes them comfortable.
The second part of the assignment concerns their activities outside of class. This includes any extra-curricular clubs, sports, and hobbies. Here is where I learn about how they spend their free time. It is very interesting to see a correlation between their motivation outside school with their motivation inside school.
Next, they tell me about their plans for the future. Specifically, they are asked to write about what their plans are for the time directly following high school. They are also asked to write about the occupation they want to do for the rest of their life. I do not accept "I don't know." I tell them that they can always change their minds, but that they need to write about an occupation to get credit for this essay. In particular, I am interested in learning whether or not they have ever really thought and planned that far ahead. The results I have received range from no plans at all to having a plan to cover their entire life all the way through retirement.
Finally, in the last part of the essay, I ask them to tell me why they took the class. If it is a required course and that is the only reason, then they may tell me so. If it is a required course and they have an additional reason, then I like to know that too. I ask them to tell me what they think the course will be like. This part of the essay is really great because it tells me about any preconceived notions they may have. I also ask them to tell me what they think should be included in the course. They can come up with some really interesting suggestions. If at all possible, I incorporate their suggestions into the class. This gives them the feeling that they have some input into their class.
This is my favorite assignment. Nobody is exempted from it. It is so important to me that I assign the same value to it as a test grade AND they get full credit just for the effort. I correct grammar mistakes and other errors that they make, but on this assignment I do not take off for those types of errors. I only take points off for not addressing each part. Rarely have I marked any one down on this assignment. The second class period I tell the them about the results of the essays in statistical terms, such as some interesting hobbies and future occupations. After they have seen their essays, I collect them, file them away, and refer back to them as needed during the semester. They are a very valuable reference. The following is the format that I use in my handout. You may feel free to adopt it or modify it to fit your needs.
YOU!
A. Introduction
1. Name
2. Age
3. Grade
4. Family
5. Where you live
B. More about YOU!
1. Clubs
2. Sports
3. Hobbies
4. Free time activities
C. YOU! in the future
1. After high school
2. Future occupation
D. YOU! in this class
1. Why?
2. What is this course about?
3. Suggestions. . .
E. Conclusion