Albany Senior High School/Learning/Do now activities

Well judged starters are useful and functional. Aside from their subject-specific contribution, they:


 * signal to pupils that they have moved from their world into a purposeful learning environment
 * provide a short period of focused activity that helps you take charge of the lesson
 * help create a positive classroom climate

(from Harry Dodds)

Examples of do now/starter activities

 * Noughts and Crosses. On the board draw a 3x3 grid, and number each square 1-9. Have a set of questions numbered 1-9 also. Each team must choose a square and answer the question correctly in order to claim the square.
 * Find The Question. Choose 5-10 words or phrases. Tell them these are answers and that their job is to think of a question for each one.
 * Pictionary. Draw a picture of three different things on the whiteboard (or put up photocopies) and have students identify not only the three items but also the link between them.
 * Define it! Write up a list of words from a previous lesson. Have the students choose three words and write down two different definitions for those words (one correct, one incorrect). Gather them up and have a quiz with the rest of the class.
 * Ask students to find the 'odd one out' in a list: dog, cat, horse, parrot etc.
 * Play who/what am i. eg "Liked Dancing, wore a Cod Piece, married 6 times." (Henry VIII) Have students write their own activities and contribute them back.
 * Add more