#92: The (seemingly) simple strategy that has the power to MAKE or BREAK the start of your lesson.

You’ve finally set the stage for a productive lesson… and then the chaos begins!

This month on the podcast, we’re honing in on those critical first five minutes—the bedrock of an engaging and settled classroom environment.

I’ll be outlining key strategies to help you create a smooth start, including how to shift students’ energy with entry routines and effective starter activities.

But what happens if you don’t engage your students right away? Something else will!

In this episode, we’ll explore the importance of starter activities and how they can either make or break your lesson’s flow.

IN THIS EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

• The role of starter activities: These brief, independent tasks serve as the hook to draw students into the lesson. They need to be achievable, explicit, and timed perfectly to set a positive tone.
• Common mistakes with starter activities: I highlight pitfalls to avoid, such as relying on prior knowledge, requiring too much explanation, or lacking relevance to students’ interests.
• How consistency builds trust: Establishing a predictable routine helps students feel secure and ready to learn as they enter the classroom.
• Effective starter activity examples: I share ideas like imaginative prompts that connect students to the lesson and concept-based tasks that allow for differentiated engagement.

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