ABSTRACT
What a wide-open question and what an intriguing opportunity! I have been teaching world history for about twenty years, and it is a labor of love. It also can be confusing both for teacher and student if there is no coherent vision to direct the venture or adventure. Please know that I rethink this first-day scenario every year, and each year I make revisions, additions, and deletions. What I have tried to do here is to distill the elements that remain constant and that I feel are critical for establishing the foundations of an effective relationship between my students and me.
