Strong Start
With the technique, Strong Start (Teach Like A Champion – Doug Lemov), you establish routines so every student has their full attention on you are a specific task in the shortest time possible after arriving at class. This might include:
Having their equipment out.
Engaging with a ‘Do Now’ activity.
Why use this technique?
Success breeds success. If your lesson starts well, there is a good chance it will continue to go well. The opposite is true. A Strong Start helps ensure no lesson time is wasted.
Notes and tips
As a rule of thumb, aim for every student to be actively engaged within a minute of arriving at class. Share this expectation with students and teach them routines to help ensure this happens. If it doesn’t, use feedback and corrections. For example, you might say, ‘Today, it took a number of students more than two minutes to get ready to start, which we all know is far too long. Tomorrow, I’ll be asking any student who takes longer than a minute to be ready to stay behind and discuss this with me.’
Focused reflection
How well do you currently use this technique?
Is it a technique you will focus on developing?
If so, what are the key features you will focus on (things to do, and not do)?