In technical school I use "Tell me about yourself." I start off by telling them about myself and that I teach full-time in a high school setting, sponsor PBIS Team and FBLA.I also tell them that I have three grown children and six grandchildren. I also give the life history of my family which they can relate. Now I have each student tell about their families,where they work, job experience, high school from which they graduated, hobbies, interest, and what they have heard about the class. This helps me to plan subject content as well as to pace the class according the students abilities. I try to challenge every student by grouping--advance student with an not as experienced student. I also have extra sessions so students can have one-on-one attention if the need arises. The students can ask for these sessions by e-mail so other students do not know what is going on; however, every student in the class know they can ask for help through this media. I meet the students before class or after class, on Friday's and Saturdays. This seems to be all that is necessary to bring students to work that their fullest potential.