English Class Kickoff

Meredith Wilson

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Fresh Start English Lesson Plan

Students will build classroom community by introducing themselves through a guided icebreaker, review the course overview and key routines, and co-create classroom expectations in a structured 45-minute session.

A positive start helps students feel welcomed and invested. This lesson fosters rapport, clarifies norms, and sparks enthusiasm for 10th-grade English.

Audience

10th Grade English Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive icebreaker, presentation, and collaborative discussion

Materials

Icebreaker Questions Cards, Course Overview Slides, Classroom Expectations Poster, Name Tags Template, Index Cards, and Exit Ticket Reflection Prompts

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Print or project the Course Overview Slides.
Print and cut the Icebreaker Questions Cards.
Print the Name Tags Template and prepare markers.
Hang the Classroom Expectations Poster or have chart paper ready.
Prepare a stack of Index Cards and the Exit Ticket Reflection Prompts.

Step 1

Welcome and Name Tags

5 minutes

Greet students at the door and invite them to pick a name tag from the Name Tags Template.
Ask them to write their name and one hobby on the tag and stick it on their shirt.
Briefly introduce yourself and share your own name tag info.

Step 2

Icebreaker Activity

10 minutes

Distribute one Icebreaker Questions Card to each student.
In pairs, students take turns asking and answering their card question (e.g., favorite book, dream travel).
After 5 minutes, rotate partners once so students meet someone new.

Step 3

Course Overview Presentation

10 minutes

Project the Course Overview Slides.
Walk through key units, major projects, and grading guidelines.
Pause for student questions and clarify any immediate concerns.

Step 4

Co-create Expectations

10 minutes

Direct attention to the Classroom Expectations Poster.
Ask: “What helps us learn and feel safe?” Record student ideas on chart paper or poster.
Refine their suggestions into 3–5 clear expectations (e.g., respect, participation).

Step 5

Exit Ticket Reflection

5 minutes

Hand out Index Cards and the Exit Ticket Reflection Prompts.
Prompt: “What excites you most about this class? One question you have?”
Collect cards as students leave to gauge initial impressions and questions.

Step 6

Closing and Next Steps

5 minutes

Thank students for sharing and participating.
Remind them of any take-home readings or supplies needed next class.
Encourage them to post any additional questions on the class discussion board or speak with you after school.

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Lesson Plan

English Class Kickoff Plan

Students will build classroom community by introducing themselves, exploring course expectations interactively, and co-creating classroom agreements in a single 45-minute session.

A welcoming first day fosters rapport, clarifies norms, and sparks enthusiasm for 10th-grade English, setting a positive tone for the year.

Audience

10th Grade English Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive icebreaker, presentation, and collaborative discussion

Materials

Icebreaker Questions Cards, Course Overview Slides, Classroom Expectations Poster, Name Tags Template, Index Cards, and Exit Ticket Reflection Prompts

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Print or set up the Course Overview Slides.
Print and cut the Icebreaker Questions Cards.
Print the Name Tags Template and gather markers.
Display the Classroom Expectations Poster or prepare chart paper.
Gather a stack of Index Cards and the Exit Ticket Reflection Prompts.
Review all generated materials for familiarity and smooth transitions.

Step 1

Welcome and Name Tags

5 minutes

Greet students at the door with a smile.
Invite each student to select a tag from the Name Tags Template.
Have students write their name and one hobby on the tag and wear it.
Introduce yourself by sharing your tag information.

Step 2

Icebreaker Activity

10 minutes

Distribute one Icebreaker Questions Card to each student.
In pairs, students take turns asking and answering their card’s question (e.g., favorite book, dream travel).
After 5 minutes, prompt students to switch partners and continue.

Step 3

Course Overview Presentation

10 minutes

Project the Course Overview Slides.
Walk through major units, key projects, and grading policies.
Pause for questions and clarify any immediate concerns.

Step 4

Co-create Expectations

10 minutes

Direct attention to the Classroom Expectations Poster or chart paper.
Ask, “What helps us learn and feel safe?” and record responses.
Guide students to refine ideas into 3–5 clear classroom agreements.

Step 5

Exit Ticket Reflection

5 minutes

Hand out Index Cards and the Exit Ticket Reflection Prompts.
Prompt: “What excites you most about this class? What question do you have?”
Collect cards to gauge impressions and inform next steps.

Step 6

Closing and Next Steps

5 minutes

Thank students for their participation.
Remind them of any supplies or readings needed for the next class.
Invite extra questions via the discussion board or after school.

Slide Deck

Welcome to 10th Grade English!

• Icebreaker Activity
• Course & Unit Overview
• Major Projects & Grading
• Class Agreements & Routines
• Next Steps

Welcome students warmly as they settle in. Introduce yourself briefly and outline the slide deck’s purpose. Emphasize excitement for the year ahead.

Icebreaker: Find Your Match

Write your name & one hobby on a tag.
Find the student who shares a similar hobby.
Introduce yourselves and share your favorite book.
Rotate to meet two new classmates.

Explain the icebreaker name-tag pairing. Encourage energy and connection. Model with a partner if needed.

Course Overview

• Purpose & Goals
• Key Units & Texts
• Major Projects & Writing Workshops
• Grading & Assessments

Transition smoothly from icebreaker into syllabus overview. Remind students this slide deck will guide them through course essentials.

Major Units at a Glance

• Short Story Exploration (Sept–Oct)
• Poetry & Literary Devices (Nov–Dec)
• Drama & Performance (Jan–Feb)
• Novel Study & Analysis (Mar–Apr)
• Research & Creative Writing (May–June)

Briefly describe each unit, its focus, and approximate timeline. Invite any immediate questions.

Major Projects & Assignments

• Analytical Research Paper
• Creative Writing Portfolio
• Group Presentation: Literary Analysis
• End-of-Year Capstone Essay

Highlight the four largest projects. Provide context for each: expectations, partners, deadlines.

Grading Breakdown

• Projects & Essays: 40%
• Tests & Quizzes: 25%
• Homework & Bellwork: 20%
• Participation & Discussions: 15%

Explain weight of each category. Clarify how participation and homework contribute. Answer grading questions.

Classroom Agreements

Today we will co-create 3–5 agreements around:
• Respect & Listening
• Active Participation
• Responsibility & Preparedness

Introduce this as a collaborative slide; you’ll gather ideas next. Emphasize importance of shared agreements.

Daily Routines & Procedures

• Enter quietly & begin Bellwork.
• Participate in discussions.
• Use restroom breaks responsibly.
• Pack up when directed.

Walk through daily arrival, bellwork, transitions, and end-of-class procedures. Stress consistency.

Tools & Resources

• Google Classroom for assignments
• Online Text Library & eBooks
• Peer Review Platform (Peergrade)
• Shared Class Folder

List the digital platforms and materials students will use. Show a quick screenshot if possible.

Required Texts & Reading List

• To Kill a Mockingbird
• Selected Short Stories & Poems
• Macbeth (Drama)
• Student Choice Novels

Preview the core texts. Mention any required purchase or library availability.

Writing Workshops

• Brainstorming & Outlines
• Drafting & Peer Review Sessions
• Revision Strategies
• Final Portfolio Submission

Explain how writing workshops work. Emphasize importance of drafts & peer feedback.

Assessments & Exams

• Weekly Quizzes on Readings
• Midterm Exam (December)
• Final Exam (May)
• Project Milestones

Clarify when quizzes, midterms, and finals will occur. Offer study tips.

Need Help?

• Teacher Office Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 3–4 pm
• Peer Tutoring Sessions
• Online Q&A Forum
• Email: yourname@school.edu

Encourage students to seek help proactively. Share your availability and office hours.

Next Steps

• Complete Bellwork #1 on Google Classroom
• Read Short Story Packet (pp. 1–15)
• Bring notebook & folder every day
• Join the class discussion board

Outline what students should do before the next class: readings, supplies, online sign-ups.

Questions & Contact

• Email: yourname@school.edu
• Room: 210, Room Hours: 7:30–7:45 am
• Questions? Let’s discuss!

Thank students for their attention. Invite final questions. Transition to co-creating agreements.

Activity

Icebreaker Questions Cards

Use these question cards for the pair icebreaker. Distribute one card per student and have them find a partner to ask and answer the prompt. After 5 minutes, switch partners and repeat with new questions.

What is your favorite book and why?
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do there?
What’s your favorite movie or TV show, and what makes it memorable?
Describe the most memorable meal you’ve ever had. What made it special?
What hobby or activity do you enjoy in your free time, and how did you get started?
If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be and how would you use it?
What’s one school subject you’re excited to learn more about this year and why?
Share a fun fact about yourself that most people here don’t know.
Do you have a pet or a favorite animal? Tell your partner about it or your ideal pet.
If you were to write a book, what would its title be and what would it be about?

Activity

Student Name Tags Template

Use this template to introduce yourself! Print and cut out each tag. Then, have students write their name and one hobby before wearing it.

Name: _______________________

Hobby: _______________________

— — — — — — — — — — (Cut Here) — — — — — — — — — —

Activity

Classroom Expectations Poster

Today, we will co-create 3–5 classroom expectations that help us learn and feel safe. Record each agreement in the chart below, then define why it matters and what it looks like in action.

Agreement	Why It's Important	What It Looks Like
1. ____________________	________________________________	________________________________

2. ____________________	________________________________	________________________________

3. ____________________	________________________________	________________________________

4. ____________________	________________________________	________________________________

5. ____________________	________________________________	________________________________

Instructions for use:

Invite students to suggest expectations aloud.
Fill in each row collaboratively.
Once you have 3–5 clear expectations, display this poster as our classroom guide.

Encourage students to frame positive, actionable statements (e.g., “Listen when others speak” rather than “Don’t be rude”).

Reading

Exit Ticket Reflection Prompts

At the end of today’s lesson, please take an index card and reflect briefly on these questions. Your honest feedback helps us shape a great learning environment!

What excites you most about this class?
What question do you have after today’s session?