Home The K12 Hub Blogs Five Ways to Start Your Lessons
Additional Topics
April 19, 2021
Blogs
Gretchen Vierstra
2 Min
Attention getters, do nows, morning meetings, hugs, and high fives. These are often the ways teachers start their days. By now, you probably have your routines in place for how you start your day or class period. But sometimes it’s good to mix it up. Or maybe you’re looking for an exciting entrance to a specific lesson plan. Just like writers, teachers often need a hook!
Whether you’re mixing it up or just curious about what other teachers do, check out these five videos to see five different ways teachers start their lessons.
1. Start with a Video
Everyone loves a good video, especially kids. Video can be a great way to pique interest or teach a simple concept before a lesson. In the video,Coding in the Algebra Classroom, high school teacher Joshua Kwon starts his lesson with a clip from a car racing video game. He hopes by asking his students to watch and wonder about something familiar to many of them, he can warm up their brains for the math concepts in his lesson, where they’ll be creating their own computer animations.
2. Start with an Object
Another way to get your students wondering about a topic is to show them objects related to the content. Ready to do some creative writing? Inspire them with sensory objects. Getting ready to read a book? Show them objects from the book and ask them to make connections, predictions, or ask questions. You could bring in actual objects for students to touch and smell, or simply show a set of images. InScaffolds for Critical Thinking, Sarah Brown Wessling opens a mystery box filled with photos before starting a challenging lesson with a class of fourth graders. Watch as she uses this box to create an environment that encourages her students to be curious.
3. Start with a Question
Find out what your students already know or think about a topic with a question. There are so many ways to do this: ask the whole class, encourage small group discussions, write it on the board and ask students to do a quick write, or try using a poll. To see a poll in action, watchUsing Technology to Boost Confidence from the Teaching Channel video library. In this video, high school teacher Johanna Paraiso explains how she uses technology to build communication skills in her class, including warming up her students for academic discussions with polls usingGoogle Forms. No matter which method you try, questions are a great way to get your students thinking.
4. Start with Movement
Have an early class of tired high schoolers? Are your 1st graders squirmy after lunch? Get them on their feet with Sarah Brown Wessling’sStand Up Game.For this strategy, you start your lesson with a question, but the twist is that you get everyone on their feet to answer it. Students are able to sit down when they share their answer with the class. Take two minutes to watch this fun idea and then give it a try yourself.
5. Start with a Mistake
Make learning from mistakes a natural part of your daily lessons. Next time you’re thinking of starting off your lesson with an exemplar, consider what could be learned by sharing student work that’s not quite perfect. Take a look atMy Favorite Noto see how Leah Alcala begins her lesson with a brief formative assessment activity and uses it as an opportunity to teach her students to learn from their mistakes. And for more ways to begin your lessons with formative assessment, be sure to check out ourFormative Assessment Deep Divewhich is filled with ideas for you to explore.
Keep Learning with the Teaching Channel Video Library
Get inspired by watching other exemplary educators at work!
Teaching Channel’s best-in-class video library allows you to watch, learn, and grow by observing a broad range of approaches and a diverse array of teachers in their classrooms.With over 1,600 videos spanning popular topic areas such as English Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, English Language Learners, Class Culture, Differentiation, and more, you’ll always find new opportunities for professional learning. Plus, we’re constantly adding new videos, so you’ll always have access to the most current, innovative, and effective teaching practices.
Learn More About the Video Library
Related Topics in Additional Topics
EngagementLesson Planning
Share
Related Content
Student Engagement
3 Essential Strategies for Addressing Chronic Absenteeism
Blogs
Nancy Weinstein, MindPrint Learning
2 Min
Differentiation
Yes, Students Still Need to Memorize
Instructional Approaches, Instructional Strategies, Reading, Teaching Methods
Search the K12 Hub
More From Teaching Channel
3 Essential Strategies for Addressing Chronic Absenteeism
A 3rd grader with asthma.A middle school student struggling with social anxiety.A Junior who needs to work to support their family.A PreK child who stays
Yes, Students Still Need to Memorize
Students have grown up relying on their calculators and Googling everything. During the pandemic more than ever before, tests were open books and open notes.
Creating a Thriving School: 5 Core Pathways for New Principals
As a new principal, you are stepping into a role filled with opportunities to shape the future of your school. However, navigating the complexities of
Want to partner with us?
We’re always looking for new authors! If you’re interested in writing an article, please get in touch with us.
Learn More
Subscribe to our Newsletter!
Get notified of new content added to K12 Hub.
- I am a Teacher or Teacher leader
- I am a District or School Administrator or Leader