Need "wake-up" ideas

For the first time in 5 or 6 years, I will be teaching a high school class first period. 7:30 in the morning.

I'm teaching the best class that period - 11th grade honors - and it's so much fun with music, movies, projects, etc. But I'm so worried that they're going to sleep through it all and turn a fun class into a bore.

I need "wake-up" ideas! I was thinking of having a designated "joke-teller" - someone who, when the class seemed sleepy, could be called on to tell a quick joke and get everyone's attention. I'd change the Joke-teller every month. Any other suggestions? Do I bring in food? Can you think of how I can use music? Or a quick game?

I'm dreading this and would love some ideas!!

(Google doesn't help: when I searched for "first period" ideas I kept getting websites about menstruation )

Re: Need "wake-up" ideas

I've had to teach first period at 7:30 before so I know what you mean. The attendance was terrible though, I'd only get half the kids show up, if that, and most were late. I'd just try to be as energetic as possible & hope that my energy would rub off on them. I'd keep things moving as much as possible so there weren't too many lulls. Also I'd tell them to get up & stretch & I'd do a few stretches of my arms, back, etc... some of them just sat there but quite a few would get up & do the stretches with me & I think it helped wake them up. I'm sure it will be fine, good luck!

Re: Need "wake-up" ideas

I agree w/ the stretches & perhaps give bagels out to the first 5 kids in that am or to the best "answers or questions?" Not sure what the class is but perhaps a jeopardy or trivia type game w/ teams or something simple like musical chairs

Re: Need "wake-up" ideas

Thanks for the responses. I should have mentioned that it's an 11th grade honors Spanish class.

I like the idea to get them stretching - I just got into yoga this summer, so I'm sure I can think of something. And I also like the idea to get things started right away. If I wait for them to all be there and in their seats to start class (7:35 or so), they'll just keep getting later and later, I know it.

Re: Need "wake-up" ideas

anything that keeps them talking and moving.

i love doing carousel with morning classes, where students rotate through stations in small groups. the talking and moving keeps them alert and the accountability of having to share at the end keeps them on task.

are you skype ready at your school? an early honors class is perfect for partnering with a class in spain. chatting with a kid overseas should be enough to keep them awake.

i'm sure you do a lot with conversations, right? it's hard to sleep through that when you have a kid sitting across from you. the more engaging the conversation topic, the more awake they'll be. can you make them funny...or spicy?

Re: Need "wake-up" ideas

xx

Message edited 6/9/2012 3:26:58 PM.

Re: Need "wake-up" ideas

Somehow, I got lucky last year and had a ridiculously awake first period class (also juniors, also 7:30, also high level -- AP), and I think the trick is to tap into the kids who are naturally morning people. (They're out there -- as freaky as I think they are. ) They can be way more motivating than we can, so if you get them on your side, so to speak, they can help you power things along.

(Whenever I had someone come observe me, they would look at me like... really? They're weird. I always agreed. But we had fun everyday, so I think that might be the key.)

(Edited for typo.)

Message edited 9/5/2010 10:04:30 AM.