Two of my didactics courses opened last week with the beginning of the 2022-2023 academic year. I began both lessons with a quiet activity which allowed the students to get seated, calm down, look around the room and get ready for the class in an easygoing fashion.
I presented a message in code and asked the students to translate it into their notebooks. In the “Teaching English to Young Learners” course, they read a note from me in English, and in the “Literacy: Didactics for Hebrew Teaching” course, they read a quotation about language in Hebrew.
While the students were reading the message, working alone or with a neighbour, I had a few minutes to check the atmosphere in the room, look at each student for a few moments, catch my breath and prepare to introduce myself and the program.
In the “pedagogical moment” that follows, I explain that teachers can adapt the activity for all ages, grades two and up, and all content areas. I pointed out that a lesson can begin with something other than the teacher standing at the front waiting for quiet. Using a warm-up activity is often helpful in rowdy classes and offers a peaceful transition between lessons.
Do you use warm-up activities in your classes? I’d love to hear about them in the comments.
