After identifying strategies which are used to avoid some of the unique problems of the first class meeting, the author outlines a model which covers the three general phases of the class: beginnings, work, and endings. In the first phase the physical arrangement of the classroom and the pre-class comments of the students are considered, followed by a discussion of the major tasks of the class, an opening statement by the instructor, introduction of each student, and a brief explanation of the purpose of the class session. The work phases begin with the students identifying problems which they have encountered in the subject area and a presentation of the instructor's frame of reference. The final phase involves a review of the syllabus and bibliography. The instructor should also demonstrate a willingness to receive feedback on the course, negative as well as positive, in order to encourage authentic communications, and he should also credit the students' way of working when this has been honest and productive. Although the author considers that all the elements outlined in this paper need to be considered by an instructor in any subject, he emphasizes that the model is not meant to provide a rigid framework. (MBM)