Last September, in response to an Education World story, teachers around the world sent in their favorite first-day-of-school activities. So here they are -- 14 great activities to help you get to know your new students -- and to help them get to know you!

This is something that often gets overlooked. Although the students know your name, they do not know you. Let them know some things about you. Let them know where your grew up, where you went to school, your teaching background and how long you have been teaching.

"Your team has been assigned the task of designing a catapult capable of delivering a specific projectile to a prescribed target. You will be loaned a generic catapult and a projectile for this project. "

"there is something that I've noticed in many classes I've visited - there are still some educators that don't seem to know the no nos for teaching with a projector or interactive whiteboard (IWB). Perhaps it's easier to notice when you're sitting as an audience member or an observer which is not often the case for teachers. If you're an innovative educator teaching with a projector or IWB, you too might be engaging in a no no or two."

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