How to start lessons effectively [1 min read]

Starting lessons strongly is one of the keys to ensuring a great lesson every time - essential for student progress, but also for your own mental health as a teacher!

Anyone who has had a chaotic start to a lesson (ie me!) will know that it can throw you off for the whole lesson and you never quite get it back from there.

The first part of the my self-paced online course "Structuring an Outstanding MFL Lesson" is all about how to start a lesson effectively. You can watch the first video for free here.

Here is a brief summary of my top 5 tips for having a great start to every lesson:

1. Have an activity ready to go as soon as students arrive: This helps settle students quickly and starts the learning process immediately.
2. Use simple, straightforward starter activities: Choose tasks that don't require lengthy explanations and can be begun without your full attention.
3. Implement retrieval practice or lesson preparation activities: Use starters to either revisit previous learning or introduce key concepts for the current lesson.
4. Establish a routine: Consistently having starter activities helps students know what to expect and settle more quickly.
5. Prepare for flexibility: Have adaptable activities that work in different classroom setups and allow for inevitable start-of-lesson disruptions.