We have all been there staring at a computer unable to think about how to start the lesson we are planning. However, since last year I have begun most lessons across different years with a range of activities that recap and consolidate knowledge from previous lessons. This seems quite obvious especially with the amount of work and ideas currently being shared on Twitter, but as an NQT/PGCE mentor I've noticed that many new teachers begin lessons with tasks that don't aid the lesson and end up taking away from the lesson in many ways. Using a recap starter helps students consolidate their previous knowledge, and with the amount of knowledge in the new GCSE's constantly recapping and revisiting previous topics makes more sense than expecting students to remember a topic they last studied 12 months ago. Below are a number of the activities that I've used and have benefited my students in the last year.
Speak Like a Historians
This starter idea originally came from @KKNTeachLearn and @Jennnnnn_x, students work with the person next to them and use the words in the grid to answer the question verbally. Students score points for certain words they use and loose points for using banned words. The addition of scores helps add that competitive element. I added in a literacy column to embed particular phrases. The main aim of this starter is to get students to "speak like a historian" and build up oracy in the classroom, and hopefully have this translate into their writing, as many students write how they speak. I would then choose a few students to have a go in front of the class and correct any misconceptions and through questions get them to expand and get students model a good answer.
Retrieval Practice Grid
This starter idea originally came from Kate Jones (@87History) who has written a very useful blog on this idea in more detail which I highly recommend. This idea works by getting students to recap previous topics, with older topics being worth more points and more recently studied topics being worth less points. Students are given a certain amount of time or amount of questions to answer and compete to get the most points. The questions can be chosen at random but I've been recording common misconceptions from students books and then using them in these starters. I also print the grid off and get students to stick them in their books, this can then be used as a homework task where students answer the rest.
Knowledge Bingo
Whilst Bingo is nothing new, this concept works really well as a recap starter. Don't waste paper by printing anything off, project the grid and students work through the grid (on their own or with their partner) and see if they can get a row, column or full house. The competition of being the first to shout out BINGO and show their knowledge keeps the class on task.
Make the Link
This starter idea was inspired by the TV show Only Connect, students have to workout which words link together. Students have to use their knowledge of the key words to work the links. Students can then be asked to use the words in a couple of sentences to prove the link. You can then choose some of the harder key words and get the class to expand on them using their prior knowledge.
True or False
A quick and simple idea give a range of true and false topics about previous lessons and topics and students have to work out which are true and for the false statements correct them so that they are true.
Blockbusters
Inspired by the game-show Blockbusters, students work with the person next to them/ or they can compete against them to get from one side of the board to the other. You can include a range of questions from different topics, challenging them to recall dates, key people or general recap questions. To add some extra competition you can get the class to compete against you after they have with each other, I never go easy on them and so far they haven't beaten me.
Question Planning
This idea came from our very own Lucy Ryall (@Lryall_history), students are given an exam question and have to work out which of the facts given is relevant and can be used in an answer. This helps recap knowledge but also check comprehension of questions. Students can be challenged to come up with their own facts that aren't provided, and questioned on particular facts to check for misconceptions.
Recap Wheel
Students spin the wheel and whatever topic it lands on students must either write down everything they can remember or take it in turns stating facts, key people and events that are linked to the topic. Topics on the wheel can be changed to their weakest topics after they have RAGd themselves.
