An English Teacher's Toolbox

In the first few minutes of your lessons, what tips/ tricks have you discovered for settling the class and making a smooth start/ smooth transition?

I’ve picked up a few things along the way - but feel free to ‘reply’ with your tried and tested ideas!

1. Meet your pupils at the classroom door - greet them as you would an adult, and use the time to give any reminders or ‘polite’ notices about their uniform etc.
2. Have something to get on with - as pupils are walking in, or on the board/ their desks ready, have a short activity to get on with and to wake their brains up!
3. Have someone who hands books/ work out for you as soon as they enter - it helps to use the same people, to build up a routine.
4. Share the learning objectives and reason for covering this with pupils - handy to have it ready on the board/ PowerPoint slide etc and to take them through it. You can also get pupils to ‘explain’ back to you, and the class, what you’ll be doing and why.
5. Be Welcoming - A positive start is much more likely to create a positive atmosphere and environment. Treat pupils with some respect. If you had a difficult lesson last time, don’t carry it forward in to this new lesson.

What about your ideas? x

Seriously, I do!