They Behave For Me How do I have an effective lesson start if I go from classroom to classroom? Question Time!
Jan 30, 2026
They tackle how to get fast, predictable lesson starts when you teach in many rooms. Practical routines like mini whiteboard starters, timed booklets and practiced entry procedures get a quick focus. They explore how corridor norms leak into classrooms and why owning a room or clear timetabling helps. They also debate risks of posting pupil photos in the age of AI and share questioning strategies for quieter and higher-performing pupils.
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Mini Whiteboards As A Reliable Starter
- Amy describes using the same simple mini-whiteboard starters so students always know what to do on entry.
- She keeps the routine low-effort so it becomes embedded even when she arrives late.
Social Spaces Shape Classroom Tone
- Class behaviour follows the prior social space; corridor norms leak into the classroom if not reset.
- Teachers must actively create classroom social norms because students take subconscious cues from the environment.
Provide Readily Available Routined Starters
- Do ensure work is readily available the moment students enter to prevent chatting and set the expectation to work.
- Do routinize the starter so students know exactly what to do before the teacher arrives.