What initial activity could a teacher use to engage students at the start of class?

Beginning a class with a bell work activity that takes approximately four minutes serves as an effective way to engage students right from the outset. This type of activity is designed to capture students' attention immediately as they enter the classroom, focusing them on a specific task that can set a productive tone for the lesson.

The concise nature of bell work means that it can provide a quick review of prior knowledge or introduce the day's learning objectives without requiring extensive time or discussion. This approach encourages students to start thinking critically and independently, fostering a sense of ownership over their learning.

Additionally, bell work activities can be easily varied to suit different subjects or learning goals, making them adaptable and useful in various educational contexts. They can also serve as a bridge between different lessons or topics, helping students connect previous knowledge to new concepts.

In contrast, a group discussion on the previous day's lesson might take longer to organize and may not engage all students immediately. A reading assignment from the textbook could lead to varied levels of engagement, as it might not be inherently interactive. Lastly, a new student introduction activity, while valuable for building community, may not be as effective in transitioning students into a focused learning environment right at the start of class.