OK, your kids come in the room, they chat, they stall, they complain, this one has no pencil, this one wants to go to the nurse, these 4 “need” the bathroom, those two are “secretly” texting, and that one is putting on makeup…sound familiar? Teaching 3 freshman classes at the end of the day, 2 co-taught with special education teachers, had me at my wits’ end…until I started “Get Ready’s.” (And even then, well,… some days!!)

A Get Ready is an independent activity (independent from me, anyway) designed to get students interested in the context of the day’s lesson or to remind them of some long-forgotten concept that ties into the lesson. It is a one-page handout, a short video, or an activity projected on the board as they arrive. I would stand at the door and greet each kid, saying hello, giving instructions, asking about robotics, or baseball, or the play. It is a sad reality that this was the only way I could be sure to connect with every child every day. They aren’t all squeaky wheels though, you know?

When the Get Ready was printed, I would hand them out as kids came in. They would go to the shelf and get their binders, settle down, and start the Get Ready. I would do attendance, write that pass to the nurse, and check homework. My last year in the classroom, I had the kids come to my desk to show me homework (that was the only time I sat there). This was a habit born of necessity, but it actually ended up saving lots of time!

So, what does a Get Ready look like? Here are a few:

Kente Cloth

Photo Sizes

Reading a Ruler (Seriously?!)

Volume of Liquids

Saturn’s Moon, Titan
For a lesson on the linear pattern formed by hydrogen atoms in hydrocarbon molecules – first day of school!

Drag Racing 101
For a systems of equations lesson on a drag race between a Mustang and a pick-up truck.

I hope these ideas help. Forty-six minutes is not much time – use every minute you can!