Do Now, Starter

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"Do Now" Starter activity

The "Do Now" is a powerful tool for educators. It can maximize learning

time. It helps students develop recall and retrieval skills.

Discover best practices for creating effective "Do Now" activities.

by Alan Kenny
Deputy Head of Quality Improvement

Word Cloud

Why do you do a starter activity? (Do Now)

Poll

How confident are you with "Do Now"?

• Not confident

• OK

• Confident

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Key Characteristics of an
Effective "Do Now"

Immediate Start

Students start

learning right away.

There's no wasted

time.

Consistent
Format

Students know the

routine. The format

stays the same each

time.

Student Led

Requires no teacher

input. Students can

work independently,

not in groups.

A "Do Now" is a short, focused activity. It is completed as soon as

students enter. It revisits previous content. This supports long-term

knowledge retention.

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English and Math "Do Now" Examples

English Lesson

"Write down three quotes.

Explain their significance

in 3 words."

English Lesson

"Read the next chapter in

silence while I set up."

Math Lesson

"Solve these equations

from yesterday's lesson."

Math Lesson

"Work in pairs to discuss a

new problem-solving

strategy."

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Business and IT "Do Now" Examples

Construction

“List three safety rules when working on-site.”

Business

Define the term ‘profit margin’ and give one example.

IT

Identify and write down two cybersecurity threats.

Hair & Beauty

Match the following skin types (e.g., oily, dry, combination) with suitable skincare products.

Effective "Do Now" activities are quick and focused. They assess recall of key concepts.

What is a "Do Now" activity for?
To get students thinking and ready for the lesson

How long should a "Do Now" activity last?

5 minutes

What is a good example of a "Do Now" activity?

A short task linked to today’s topic or a previous topic

When should students start the "Do Now"?
As soon as they sit down

What is NOT a good feature of a "Do Now"?
It’s long and hard to finish

Why is it important for a "Do Now" to be quick and simple?

To ensure students can complete it independently

What is the best time for the teacher to explain the "Do Now" task?
It should need no explanation

How can a "Do Now" benefit the teacher??

It helps assess students’ prior knowledge or skills

Consistent
Format

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Key Takeaways

1

Recall and Retrieval

Develops vital recall skills.

2

Time Maximisation

Ensures learning starts

immediately.

3

Consistency

Establishes a predictable classroom routine.

Implement "Do Now" activities to enhance learning. Encourage active

recall and effective time management.

Poll

How confident are you with "Do Now"?

• Not confident

• OK

• Confident