First Year Reading Details
Sign-Up │ Program Description │ Preparing for your Session
First Year Reading discussions are scheduled from 1-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2008.
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"Phenomenal! I may be biased as the
"judge in my own cause," but I think the students really put their
all into the session."
"My group of students was amazing! The FROGS and I were completely blown away by how engaged they were and how many comments and questions they had. When at the beginning of the session I asked what their initial reactions and questions were, I expected maybe 10 minutes (if that) of initial discussion and 30-35 minutes later there was finally a pause in the conversation."
"I had a good time. A little nervous at first. It was difficult to get some of the kids to speak up, but I asked the FROGs to assist in calling on people because they knew the group a little better and then the discussion got rolling." |
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"We were all pleasantly surprised at how wonderful the reading tied into a great discussion. My FROGs said it was the most animated and engaged they'd seen their group."
"We had a really great discussion! I think this was probably one of the better discussions I've had with freshman in all the years that I've done the First Year Reading."
Why First Year Reading?
The purpose of the First Year Reading experience is to engage students intellectually in a common experience. All first-year students receive a copy of the reading text at summer Orientation and read the text before returning for August Orientation. Over 125 faculty and staff facilitators lead ninety minute small group discussions with groups of thirty to thirty-five first-year students on the first full day of August Orientation (August 21, 2008).
This Year's Text
The First Year Reading Committee has selected Federalist 10 by James Madison. Federalist 10 is one of the great works of political philosophy and an intellectually demanding text. It raises important questions about community, citizenship, diversity, freedom and responsibility; and lends itself well to college-level discussions. Please contact the Orientation Office to receive a copy of Federalist 10 to review.
Who Should Lead a Session?
YOU! You do not need to be a Madison or Constitutional Scholar to lead a Federalist 10 discussion. If you are a James Madison University faculty or staff member who is committed to helping students have conversations about the themes in Federalist 10 then you will be well suited for this experience.
Sign-up now to be a facilitator by emailing us at orientation@jmu.edu or calling 568-1787!
Still Unsure if You should Lead a Session?
- Request a copy of Federalist 10 from the Orientation Office
As you review the text we are certain that it will stimulate thoughts and questions that you would like to have the opportunity to discuss with students.
Ongoing Support for Facilitators
After you choose to lead a discussion, Orientation staff with provide you with a variety of support materials, preparation sessions and a classroom to lead your session.
- Preparing for Your Session
Check out the facilitator's guide which is full of resources to facilitate your session.
- Attend a Federalist 10 Preparation Session in August, 2008
Plan on attending a preparation session (you do not need to RSVP):
- August 12 (Tuesday): 9-10:30 AM in Festival, Alleghany Room
- August 18 (Monday): 2-3:30 PM in Harrison Hall, Room 1241
Click here for a helpful handout to review before attending a preparation session.
- Other Helpful Materials
- Room Assignments
- We will email your classroom assignment by August 15, 2008
- Rosters
- Several days prior to your discussion we will send you a roster of students assigned to your session. Be looking for the roster in your campus mail. The rosters will include the email addresses of each group member and her or his residence hall. In addition, the names and email addresses of the First yeaR Orientation Guides (FROGs) assigned to your group will be included. On occasion changes are made from the time the rosters are printed and when the sessions take place. Unfortunately, we do not have the means to inform you of these changes.
Your Very Own FROG
The FROGs are upper-class students who have been selected to mentor first year students and guide them through August Orientation. FROGs and Orientation Program Assistants (OPAs) will be escorting students to the sessions. This is a required session for first year students; you will have a FROG in your group who will be taking attendance for you. All FROGs and OPAs have read the text, so you may utilize them if needed to get discussions started. Incentives will also be used to encourage first year students to attend the sessions. Following the sessions all first year students will be attending a meeting with his or her freshman advisor.
Convocation
Scheduled for August 24, 2008 at 3:00 PM in the Convocation Center; Convocation will be an exciting event that connects the themes from the Federalist 10 text (and your subsequent discussions) to the student's first year at James Madison University. The program will be experiential and promises to be a fascinating event.
Further Questions?
If you have questions about First Year Reading please contact the Orientation Office at 568-1787 or by email at orientation@jmu.edu.
Thanks for your interest and commitment in making the First Year Reading experience a success!!