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Warmers and Lead-Ins
Both warmers and lead-ins are activities used by teachers at the beginning of a lesson to create a positive atmosphere for learning.
While warmers are not necessarily related to the topic of the lesson and are used to “wake up” students and make them interested in English and motivated to learn, lead-ins actually introduce the theme of the lesson and are used to activate the students’ schematic knowledge, their prior knowledge of or experience with the topic. They may also include activities to check knowledge, preview, or pre-teach some language points.
Let’s consider some advantages of using lead-ins and warmers in teaching.
Benefits of Using Warmers and Lead-Ins
Using warmers and lead-ins can have several benefits, including:
- Increased student engagement: These activities capture students’ attention and make them more interested in the lesson.
- Enhanced learning: By activating prior knowledge, lead-ins help students connect new information to what they already know.
- Positive classroom atmosphere: Warmers can help create a relaxed and enjoyable learning environment.
Warmers in ESL
Warmers are activities that get students talking and ready to learn. A warmer is not necessarily related to the topic of the lesson.
Examples of Warmers:
- Command Drills: Use in a fun way to wake up students and get them ready to learn. For example, “Stand up. Sit down. Hold up your right hand. Show me your pen.” Check our article on “Command Drills“
- Word Creation: Write a long word on the board (e.g., CONSTITUTION) and ask students to provide words using the letters of the word on the board.
- Letter Challenge: Write a letter on the board and ask students to call out any words they can think of starting with that letter.
- Question Board: Students volunteer to ask questions and write them on the board. The other students are given 2 minutes to write answers for some or all the questions.
- Rhyme Time: Write a word on the board and ask students to come up with as many rhyming words as possible within a time limit. For example, if the word is “cat,” students might come up with “bat,” “hat,” “mat,” etc. This activity warms up their creative and linguistic skills.
- Sentence Scramble: Write a sentence on the board but mix up the words. Students work in pairs or small groups to unscramble the sentence and write it correctly. This encourages teamwork and focuses their attention on sentence structure..
- Sentence Building Relay: Write words or phrases on the board and ask students to form a complete sentence using those words. Each student adds one word to build a coherent sentence, promoting grammar practice and collaborative learning.
- Tongue twisters: Tongue twisters create a fun and lively atmosphere in the classroom, helping to energize students and set a positive tone for the lesson. They also improve pronunciation and fluency. Challenge your students with a selection of tongue twisters and encourage them to repeat them as clearly and quickly as possible. Examples of tongue twisters include “She sells seashells by the seashore,” “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers,” and “How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?”
Lead-Ins in Teaching: Strategies for a Strong Lesson Introduction
A lead-in in teaching introduces the theme of the lesson. While warmers are not necessarily related to the topic of the lesson, lead-ins introduce the topic of the lesson.
Examples of Lead-Ins:
- Vocabulary Preview: Before reading a text, choose some key vocabulary from that text and ask students what the text is going to be about.
- Predictive Questions: Before reading, write some questions about the text and ask students to answer the questions or predict the topic of the text.
- Translation Exercise: Write model sentences on the board. Ask students to translate them into their mother tongue and guess what the lesson will be about.
- Contextual Discussion: Start with a short discussion or brainstorming session related to the topic of the lesson. For instance, if the lesson is about travel, ask students to discuss their favorite travel destinations or share travel experiences.
- Visual Stimuli: Show a relevant image, video clip, or infographic related to the lesson’s theme. Ask students to describe what they see, make predictions, or discuss how the visual relates to the upcoming content.
- Anticipation Guide: Provide students with a series of statements related to the lesson’s topic. Ask them to indicate whether they agree or disagree with each statement and discuss their reasons. This can help activate their prior knowledge and set the stage for the lesson.
- Short Story or Anecdote: Begin with a short story or personal anecdote that relates to the lesson topic. Ask students to predict what the story might be about or how it might connect to the lesson.
- Quiz or Poll: Conduct a quick quiz or poll related to the lesson’s theme. For example, if the lesson is about environmental issues, ask students a few questions about their views or knowledge on environmental topics and discuss the results.
- Problem-Solving Activity: Present students with a problem or challenge related to the lesson’s theme and ask them to brainstorm potential solutions or discuss their ideas. This can engage their critical thinking and set the context for the lesson.
- Famous Quotes or Sayings: Start with a quote or saying relevant to the lesson’s theme. Ask students to discuss its meaning, how it relates to their own experiences, or how it might connect to the lesson content.
- Interactive Map or Diagram: Use a map or diagram related to the lesson topic. For instance, if the lesson is about different countries, show a map and ask students to identify and discuss different locations or features.
- Student Surveys: Conduct a brief survey or poll to gauge students’ opinions or experiences related to the lesson topic. Share the results and discuss how they relate to the upcoming lesson.
- Related-Content Review: Start your lesson with a brief quiz that revisits content from a previous lesson, linking it to the new topic you’re introducing. For instance, if today’s lesson focuses on the present continuous tense, kick off with a review quiz on the different forms of the present simple tense of the verb ‘to be.’
How to Effectively Use Warmers and Lead-Ins
- Plan Ahead: Choose activities that are suitable for the lesson’s objectives and the students’ proficiency levels.
- Be Creative: Mix and match different types of warmers and lead-ins to keep the activities fresh and engaging.
- Encourage Participation: Foster a supportive environment where all students feel comfortable participating.
Conclusion
Warmers and lead-ins are essential techniques for creating a dynamic and effective learning environment. By thoughtfully incorporating these activities into your lessons, you can enhance student engagement, activate prior knowledge, and set the stage for successful learning experiences.
