The initial moments of a classroom session can significantly influence the entire atmosphere of learning. What strategies can you implement to immediately engage your students and prime them for the lesson ahead? Often referred to as morning bell ringers, do nows, or warm-ups, these introductory activities aim to activate students’ minds from the moment they step into the classroom. Below are inspiring bell ringer questions and ideas to consider!
Creative and Critical Thinking Questions
Ignite your students’ creativity and critical thinking by initiating lessons with thought-provoking bell ringer questions and prompts. Encourage students to ponder a thought-provoking quote, tackle a problem-solving scenario, innovate a new technology, or respond to a deep would you rather question. Starting class with higher-order thinking cultivates the readiness necessary for any educational challenge.
Consider using one of these engaging questions as a journal prompt for high school students:
- Do differences contribute to the strength or the weakness of humanity as a whole?
- Is this class preparing you for your future, and why or why not?
- Are all individuals morally ambiguous, or only some?
- What should be the ultimate goal of humanity?
- Would you prefer to lead with logic or with emotion and intuition?
- How could you contribute to reducing homelessness?
- What creative idea might eliminate hunger among children?
- What do you envision as the most effective mode of transportation in 50 years?
Morning Work Journal or Bell Ringers | Think It Through for Critical Thinking
By Teaching With a Mountain View
Grades: 4th-8th
Subject: Creative Writing
This resource provides 45 weeks of activities designed to engage and deepen your students’ creative, critical, and reflective thinking processes. This extensive journal is ideal for morning work, early finishers, and can even function as bell ringer exercises throughout the school year.
SEL Prompts and Bell Ringer Questions
Incorporating social-emotional learning (SEL) is essential for student well-being, though fitting it into a packed schedule can be challenging. Tapping into the first few minutes of class for SEL activities fosters a conducive learning environment. You could integrate daily check-ins or SEL moments into your morning work or bell ringer exercises.
Here are some meaningful questions to have students respond to as they settle into class:
- What is something that makes you uniquely happy?
- Which item would best support you in a calming corner?
- What was a recent act of kindness you performed in the past day?
- What distractions might affect your focus in class today?
- Talk about a recent experience where you made a new friend.
- How do you differentiate between anger and frustration?
- If you could assign a color to each emotion (happy, sad, angry, guilty, loving), what color would you choose for each and why?
Growth Mindset Bell Ringers | 40 SEL Writing Prompts For Any Subject | Volume 2
By Mister Harms
Not Grade Specific
Standards: CCSS RF.3.4a, 4.4a, 5.4a; W.3.1, 3.4, 3.10, 4.1, 4.4, 4.10, 5.1, 5.10, 6.1, 6.4, 6.4, 6.10, 7.1
These engaging growth mindset bell ringers are adaptable for various subjects and promote social-emotional learning. Utilize them as writing prompts or discussion starters!
Brain Teasers and Logic Puzzles to Use as Bell Ringer Questions
Challenge your students to engage their brains right from the start with intriguing brain teasers and logical puzzles! Use a riddle, a rebus puzzle, or a logic game to stimulate their minds. You might also encourage collaboration by having students work in pairs or small groups.
Brain Teaser Bell Ringers | Digital Math Morning Work | Logic Puzzles
By Acres of Learning
Grades: 4th-7th
Subject: Math Test Prep
This resource includes 50 self-checking Brain Teasers to help students focus and engage during your morning routine or can be integrated into Google Classroom for quick finishers.
Assign an Article of the Day or Week as a Bell Ringer
Utilizing an article of the day or week as a bell ringer is an effective strategy to weave reading comprehension into your curriculum seamlessly. Regardless of your subject area—be it social studies, math, music, or science—introduce engaging articles that foster student inquiry and comprehension skills.
Strange Geography Article of the Day-Bellringers-Reading Comprehension Passages
By Think Tank
Grades: 6th-9th
Subjects: Close reading, Informational text, Geography
Standards: CCSS RI.5.4, 5.7, 5.10
These bell ringers feature 21 engaging tidbits about geography, emphasizing close reading and the practice of drawing evidence from text.
Use Concept Review Activities as Bell Ringers
The early minutes of class are also prime for reviewing essential concepts and skills in alignment with CCSS. Whether you’re revisiting the previous day’s material or reiterating previously taught skills, daily reviews can reinforce significant learning. Differentiate these bell ringer activities according to the specific needs of your students for more tailored learning experiences.
MUSIC VOCAB 10 Minute Terms | Music Bellringers | Secondary Music Vocabulary
By Sarah Stockton Resources
Grades: 6th-12th
Subjects: Instrumental Music, Vocal Music
This comprehensive resource is suitable for various music settings and can be administered over 30 days or organized into six more expansive vocabulary units.
BACK TO SCHOOL FULL YEAR ALGEBRA 1 WARM UPS Bundle | Bell Ringers | Exit Tickets
By Algebra AccentsÂ
Grades: 7th-10th
Subject: Algebra
This extensive collection offers over 200 math warm-ups designed to support the Algebra 1 curriculum and is ideal for the back-to-school period.
Make Every Minute of Class Count with TPT
With these innovative bell ringer concepts, questions, and activities, you’re well-equipped to commence your lessons effectively. For more creative ideas, don’t forget to explore other bell ringer resources on TPT.
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