The "Do Now" Bank: Starters That Create Momentum

A Do Now is a short, independent task students begin the moment they sit down. It serves three purposes: it creates a productive entry routine (reducing hallway energy), it activates prior knowledge for today's lesson, and it gives you 2–3 minutes to take attendance and handle logistics.

The best Do Nows connect to the day's objective. If today's lesson is about persuasive writing, the Do Now might be: 'Read this 2-sentence ad. What makes it convincing?' Students are already thinking about persuasion before you say a word.

Review: A quick problem or question from yesterday's lesson. 'Solve: 3/4 + 2/5. Show your work.' This tells you whether yesterday's teaching stuck.

Preview: A question that sets up today's content. 'What do you think happens to water when it's heated to 100°C? Write your prediction.' Students have a stake in the lesson before it begins.

Skill practice: A recurring routine that builds fluency. Daily vocabulary review, mental math, grammar correction, or map skills. These compound over time.

Reflection: 'What's one thing you're still unsure about from yesterday?' This gives you real-time data for today's instruction.

Every LessonCraft lesson includes an opening activity with timing. The warm-up is aligned to the day's objective and designed to activate prior knowledge or preview the core concept.