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Interviewer: Okay, here we go. You’re gonna walk in the classroom quickly and quietly. I will hand you your do-now, instructions are on the board. Are there any questions before we get started.
A do now is any activity that you have at the very beginning of class that helps you set the tone for that day.
Quickly, quietly, get started right away. Go ahead and get started right now on your do-now.
Kids come in and have something to do when they get to their desk. That something to do should go back to what they’ve worked on before, and lead into what they’re gonna work on next. Often it’s really good to put the instructions for the do-now up on the board, so you don’t even have to say that much. They can just read them, and start following the directions.
Then instead of having to talk to a lot of kids, we can just say, “I really like the way you got started, now go ahead and work on number two.” They read it, and then you can move on.
Yeah, do it on the back of it. That cool? You know what to do right?
Interviewee: Yeah.
Interviewer: I’ve seen teachers that do do-nows as quick quizzes at the beginning of everyday. I’ve seen teachers that do a few old questions that they want to work on. It could be a reading passage that the kids have been working on. Ideally, something that’s gonna lead you directly into that day’s lesson.
I see Chartanay 01:20 is starting to add to find the average of her numbers.
The other great thing about a do-now is it’s really excellent technique for classroom management.
I see the middle row is completely engaged in what they’re working on.
It helps you to set the expectations from the very beginning of your class period. So a kid walks into your classroom, they know, “I’m gonna walk in. I’m gonna get my stuff out, and there’s work for me to do.” The hardest part of a teacher’s day is constantly getting kids back on task, getting your students back doing the work you want them to do, that’s the hard part.
All right, you have about two minutes to finish your do-now, stay focused, stay on task.
The best thing about a do-now is we start to work right away, and now I’m keeping you on task as opposed to getting you back on task.
Are there any questions? Okay, back to work.
[End of Audio]
121 Comments
Cecilia Hernandez Oct 20, 2020 9:05pm
What makes an effective "Do Now" activity?
It is an activity the students do at the beginning that will set the goal or objective of the day that should connect the previous class period to the current one. This is effective to connect knowledge and push better understanding.
How does this strategy increase classroom efficiency?
It is an activity that promote learning and brings prior knowledge and reminds the student what they should focus on.
What is the relationship between routines and classroom management?
It creates standards for the student's to follow, and helps the student start off right to do their tasks. It is a way to structure your class period and helps the teacher maintain that control.
Anita Thomas Oct 9, 2020 5:44pm
Tara Cooper Sep 29, 2020 12:49pm
1. A " Do Now" activity is an effective technique for classroom management, which is a way to engage the students in a unit they have already learned prior to transition smoothly into the lesson for the day.
2. This type of strategy keeps a steady flow with less room for idling and unproductive behaviors.
3. The relationship between routines and classroom management is knowing and understanding what is expected of the student when he is she enters into the classroom.
Donnie Knight Sep 26, 2020 3:42pm
Brittany Jackson Sep 23, 2020 12:07am