Starter Activity
A Starter Activity is a short, engaging task that teachers use at the beginning of a lesson to get students focused and ready to learn. It's like a warm-up exercise that helps students transition into the learning mindset. These activities usually take 5-10 minutes and might include things like quick writing prompts, review questions, or problem-solving exercises. Teachers value these activities because they help establish routine, check prior knowledge, and get students immediately engaged in the lesson. You might also see these referred to as "bell work," "do now activities," or "lesson starters."
Examples in Resumes
Developed engaging Starter Activities to increase student participation and lesson retention
Created a database of Bell Work activities aligned with curriculum standards
Implemented daily Do Now Activities to improve classroom management and student focus
Used differentiated Starter Activities to accommodate various learning styles
Typical job title: "Teachers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Teachers
Teaching Resources
Professional Networks
Job Boards
Example Interview Questions
Experienced Teacher Questions
Q: How do you develop starter activities that differentiate for various learning levels?
Expected Answer: An experienced teacher should discuss creating multiple versions of activities to accommodate different skill levels, using visual/auditory/kinesthetic approaches, and how they track effectiveness of different types of starters.
Q: How do you integrate starter activities into your broader lesson planning strategy?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they connect starter activities to lesson objectives, use them for assessment, and modify them based on student progress and curriculum requirements.
Mid-Level Teacher Questions
Q: What types of starter activities have you found most effective for classroom management?
Expected Answer: Should describe specific examples of activities that worked well, how they established routines, and methods for transitioning from the starter to the main lesson.
Q: How do you use starter activities to assess student understanding?
Expected Answer: Should explain how they use these activities to check homework comprehension, review previous lessons, and identify areas where students need additional support.
Beginning Teacher Questions
Q: What is the purpose of a starter activity?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of how starter activities engage students, establish classroom routine, and prepare students for learning.
Q: How do you manage time during starter activities?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic timing strategies, how to keep activities brief but meaningful, and transitions to the main lesson.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic classroom management techniques
- Implementation of pre-made starter activities
- Time management during activities
- Simple activity creation
Mid (2-5 years)
- Creating original starter activities
- Differentiation for various learning levels
- Assessment integration
- Activity modification based on student needs
Senior (5+ years)
- Developing comprehensive activity systems
- Mentoring other teachers on effective starters
- Curriculum integration strategies
- Advanced differentiation techniques
Red Flags to Watch For
- Unable to explain how starter activities connect to lesson objectives
- No experience with classroom management during transitions
- Lack of variety in activity types
- No consideration for different learning styles or abilities
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