Warm-Up Activities For New Classes | OUP (2024)

Warm-Up Activities For New Classes | OUP (1)The best warm-up activities are all about getting students engaged, and providing them with new interesting ways to work together and connect. They should make the students feel stimulated and allow for personalisation where possible. Don’t error correct during warm-up activities. The emphasis should be on fluency and building trust and rapport. Here are some great warm-up activities suitable for teens and adults to get your classes off to a flying start!

Warm-up activities for all levels

Photo sharing mingle (10-20 minutes)

Get your students to get to know each other, by getting them to find a meaningful picture on their phones, and sharing it with the other student. This should preferably be a photo they took, but an image from an online search is also ok. Students are then told to mingle (or go into breakout rooms online) and ask and answer questions about each other’s photos. Encourage students to ask lots of follow up questions.

Online Tip: For these warm-up activities students can hold their phones up to their webcam. Even better, use the ‘share screen’ function to show an image on their device. If they have limited technology available to them, they can find a physical photo or object to show.

Asking correct questions (10-15 minutes)

The teacher explains that students can ask other students different questions (or even the teacher!). However, questions will only be able to be answered once the whole class agrees the question is grammatically correct. Students work in pairs to think of interesting questions for others and check their grammar. When all the pairs are ready with two or three questions to ask, pre-teach the answers “none of your business” or for higher levels “I’d prefer not to answer that question” in case these are needed. Begin to let each pair, in turn, ask a question to others in the class (not their partner) and remember, as soon as you hear a question that isn’t correct, shout “stop!”, board what was said and underline any problem areas. Only when the whole class has corrected the question successfully can an answer be given.

Vocabulary race (15-20 minutes)

Vocabulary warm-up activities are a great way to elicit vocabulary from a class and introduce a topic. Tell students you are going to show them an image and that they will need to list as many words connected to the picture as they can. Show them an example image first. If the example image is a photo of a kitchen, you could ask “What can you see?” and write up words such as “sink”, “washing machine”, “kettle”…

Explain that the team with the most words will win and that they have to write the words down for them to count as points. Then, divide students into pairs and give them the picture (sent to their breakout room chat online, face to face as a print-out or on the IWB (interactive whiteboard)). Give them a time limit of 5 minutes or more.

When the time is up, students total up their words. The winning team has the most words! Afterwards, go around the class, giving each pair a turn to say one of their words. Write the words on the board until all the words have been written up.

For higher levels, your examples could include multiple words, for example, “linoleum floor”, “tea towel”. You could make it more interesting by explaining beforehand that if they think of a word that another team didn’t think of, that it will count as 2 points. This will encourage them to stretch themselves and even get creative. Remind them that all vocabulary must be visible, so they can’t say “cliché housewife with a feather duster” unless there is one pictured!

Warm-up activities for higher levels

As many uses for a potato (20 minutes)

These types of warm-up activities are to be done in competing teams. For online classes, students can be divided into multiple breakout rooms once the instructions have been given. Each team has to think of as many uses of a potato as possible. The team that thinks of the most uses wins! Give students a few examples to start them off e.g. a paperweight, to play catch with a child. Encourage them to be creative e.g. a weapon, a gift on a first date… Remember to tell them that they must write their ideas down (or send them to you in the online chat) – to prove the number of ideas they have thought of.

Start a timer for seven minutes. When the time is up, ask the students to total up the number of uses. Go around each group in turn, asking them to say one of their ideas to the rest of the class. Do this until all of the ideas have been proposed, encouraging different students from each team to speak each time.

(adapted from eslgames.com)

Face-to-Face Tip: Bring a potato into class – the group that thinks of the most uses wins the potato!

Special word detectives (30 minutes)

Give each student one word on a slip of paper or as a private message online. This word must be unusual, e.g. elephant/diamonds/Jupiter

Choose one topic that is easy to talk about e.g. your family / your home town or city. The challenge is for students to mingle and talk about the topic, and use their special word without the other students noticing. Encourage students to note down any words they think might be the ‘special word’ of other students.

Afterwards, the teacher selects each student in turn, asking the rest of the class what they thought their word was. The fun part is trying to get the class to collectively decide on the one word they thought was the given word. Did the student manage to hide the word well? Or was it glaringly obvious? Was what they said a lie, or did they manage to make a true sentence using their word?

Online Tip: Use breakout rooms of groups containing 2-4 students and remember to clearly communicate how much time each student will have to speak before the end of the exercise, so they can manage their time well. Don’t close the breakout rooms until the groups have also had time to guess each other’s special words!

The thing of my dreams (25-30 minutes)

Students spend 5-7 minutes drawing the “something” of their dreams. It could be the house/car/pet/boyfriend of their dreams for example. To take the pressure off students that can’t draw very well, insist that all the drawings must be drawn very badly (“it’s not art class, it’s English class!”). Put some music on of a genre of their choice (if necessary, search for a ‘clean’ version to avoid explicit lyrics, or search for ‘instrumental’ versions to avoid distracting lyrics altogether). When everyone has been drawing for a few minutes, tell them they can also add vocabulary around the drawing.

Finally, students take turns to show and tell or do this in smaller groups (or in breakout rooms online).

Why not use the drawings to expand into the lesson you are going to teach? They could write a story involving what they have drawn. They could use conditionals to think about what would happen if their dream worlds combined? Why not make future plans to make their dreams a reality?

Online Tip: Tell students to use a pen (not a pencil) so that the picture can be seen clearly when they hold up their drawing to the camera.

Join theOxford Teachers’ Club and access free lesson plans, worksheets and activities for ESL and EFL teaching.

Warm-Up Activities For New Classes | OUP (2)

Tom Veryzer has had a diverse teaching career in the TEFL industry spanning almost a decade, specialising in teaching English to young learners. In 2018 he presented an interactive workshop at IATEFL entitled ‘Student Engagement: Top Tips for Classroom Management. His other ‘parallel life’ as a clown has seen him travel internationally in order to bring ’emergency happiness’ to refugee children. He also performs to family audiences in theatres around the UK, teaches comedy in schools and festivals, and leads workshops on ‘happiness’ for all ages. More info can be found at his website www.tomveryzer.com

Warm-Up Activities For New Classes | OUP (3)

Author: Oxford University Press ELT

The official global blog for Oxford University Press English Language Teaching. Bringing teachers and other ELT professionals top quality resources, tools, hints and tips, news, ideas, insights and discussions to help further their ELT career.Follow Oxford ELT on Twitter. Find Oxford ELT on Google+.

Warm-Up Activities For New Classes | OUP (2024)

FAQs

What are some good warm up activities? ›

These are our favorite quick warm-up exercises that can help you prevent an injury during your workout!
  • Marching in place while swinging your arms.
  • Jumping jacks.
  • Walking jacks.
  • Arm circles and shoulder shrugs.
  • Mountain Climbers.
  • Swinging toe touches.
  • Leg swings (forward)
  • Leg swings (side to side).
2 May 2022

What are 5 warm up exercises? ›

How do I warm up before exercise?
  • fast-paced walking.
  • walking up and down stairs.
  • fast-paced side stepping.
  • jogging on the spot.
  • arm swings.
  • lunges.
  • squats.

What is a warm up activity in a lesson plan? ›

A warm up activity is a short, fun game which a teacher or trainer can use with students. The purpose of a warm up is to: • encourage the students • wake them up – first thing in the morning and after lunch people are often a little sleepy • prepare them to learn by stimulating their minds and/or their bodies.

What is a fun warm up? ›

According to Active Kids, jogging, backpedaling, and side shuffling are all great ways to warm up for some intense play and exercise. Donkey tails is a fun way to incorporate all three of these warm-ups into one game.

What are the 7 warm-up? ›

7 Dynamic Warm-Ups
  • Hip Circles. Stand on one leg, using a countertop for support, and gently swing the opposite leg in circles out to the side. ...
  • Arm Circles. ...
  • Arm Swings. ...
  • High-Stepping. ...
  • Heel-to-Toe Walk. ...
  • Lunges with a Twist. ...
  • Step Up and Over.

What are the 4 types of warm-up? ›

They are:
  • The general warm up;
  • Static stretching;
  • The sports specific warm up; and.
  • Dynamic stretching.

What are the 3 types of warm-up exercises? ›

Don't forget the most important part of your workout—taking a few minutes to warm up.
...
There are three types of warm ups you can do before your next workout:
  • Cardio Warm Ups. ...
  • Dynamic Movement. ...
  • Static stretches.
1 Oct 2021

How can a teacher create a warm and welcoming classroom? ›

Tips for Setting Up a Warm and Welcoming Classroom
  1. Establish relationships early on. Allow your students a glimpse at who you are outside of the classroom. ...
  2. Build relevance between your classroom and your students' lives. ...
  3. Create space for curiosity and discovery. ...
  4. Inspire confidence in each student in your classroom.
3 Aug 2021

How do you warm-up for a lesson? ›

Warm up Procedure:
  1. Welcoming. Greet the students by name as they enter the classroom and gesture for them to sit down. ...
  2. Name Tags. ...
  3. Greetings:
  4. Sing "Hello Song" or a review song. ...
  5. Read a Classroom Reader again. ...
  6. Homework check. ...
  7. Do "Exercise Routine" activity.

Why warm-up activities are important in classroom? ›

Warming up and Attention

Allwright (1984) considers that warm up activities are designed to attract students' attention, to help them put aside distracting thoughts, and to get them ready to focus individually and as groups on whatever activities that follow.

What are some fun class activities? ›

These top 10 classroom games provide fun ways to engage your students in academic learning, without them even realizing it!
  • Charades. ...
  • Hangman. ...
  • Scatter-gories. ...
  • Bingo. ...
  • Puzzles. ...
  • Draw swords. ...
  • Hot potato. ...
  • Pictionary.
2 Mar 2018

How do you attract children in class? ›

Shake a shaker, touch a wind chime, ring a bell, play quiet music or use any kind of sound maker as a signal for students to be attentive. 5. Raise you hand and stand still until the students are quiet. Or, raise your right hand and put the index finger of your left hand on your lips.

What are some warm up questions? ›

Best Icebreaker Questions for Meetings
  • What sport would you compete in if you were in the Olympics?
  • Who is the better businessman or business woman and why? ...
  • What was the worst job you ever had?
  • You can have anyone fictional as your imaginary friend, who do you choose and why?
  • What would your superpower be and why?
17 Sept 2021

What are basic warm-up exercise? ›

Warm up for longer if you feel the need.
  1. March on the spot: keep going for 3 minutes. Start off marching on the spot and then march forwards and backwards. ...
  2. Heel digs: aim for 60 heel digs in 60 seconds. ...
  3. Knee lifts: aim for 30 knee lifts in 30 seconds. ...
  4. Shoulder rolls: 2 sets of 10 repetitions. ...
  5. Knee bends: 10 repetitions.

What is a good 5 minute warm-up? ›

5 Minute Warm Up Routine - YouTube

What is the best warm-up? ›

Here's a brief overview of the warm-up:
  • 8 inward hip rotations, 8 outward hip rotations (each side)
  • 8 forward arm circles, 8 backward arm circles.
  • 2 minutes jumping rope.
  • 8 walk-outs.
  • 12 deep reverse lunge to knee raise.
  • 12 deep reverse lunge to knee raise.
  • 15 squats with a 10-rep pulse at the end.
12 Jun 2017

What are the 3 main parts of a warm-up? ›

A warm-up generally consists of a gradual increase in intensity in physical activity (a "pulse raiser"), joint mobility exercise, and stretching, followed by the activity. For example, before running or playing an intensive sport, athletes might slowly jog to warm their muscles and increase their heart rate.

What are the 3 key stages of a warm-up? ›

Warming up should include: gradual pulse-raising activity. stretching. skill based practices/familiarisation.

What are 10 dynamic stretches? ›

Dynamic Stretching (Video)
  • Side Shuffle. This stretch can help protect against groin and outer hip injuries.
  • Carioca. This stretch helps improve flexibility in the leg muscles.
  • Backpedal Jog.
  • Walking Knee to Chest.
  • Lunge Walk with Twist.
  • Straight Leg Kick.
  • Heel-to-Rear Jog.
  • Power Skip Plus Reach.

What are the 7 dynamic stretching exercises? ›

Seven Dynamic Stretching Exercises
  • 1) REVERSE LUNGE WITH TWIST. Take an exaggerated step backwards with the right leg. ...
  • 2) KNEE CRADLE. Standing, lift your left leg with the knee facing outwards. ...
  • 3) STRAIGHT LEG MARCH. ...
  • 4) BUTTOCK KICKS. ...
  • 5) HIGH KNEES. ...
  • 6) CARIOCA. ...
  • 7) SCORPION.
31 Aug 2017

What are the 2 main parts of a warm-up? ›

Warming up has two parts: GENERAL , which prepares the body for any activity, and SPECIFIC , which is exercises aimed at specific types of activity to be performed to develop your body. In turn, each of these parts consist of various types of exercises .

What is a good dynamic warm-up? ›

Examples of dynamic warm-up movements include lunge walks, inch worms, push-ups, leg swings, and pretty much any other bodyweight movement that incorporates a certain degree of flexibility, strength, and range of motion.

How do you welcome students in a new session? ›

How to Welcome Students to a New Class
  1. Prepare a good introduction. ...
  2. Know about your students. ...
  3. Welcome gifts. ...
  4. Fun activities. ...
  5. Setting up goals for the year. ...
  6. Allowing students to showcase their skills. ...
  7. Ask students to write their expectations for the year. ...
  8. Take their feedbacks.

What 5 factors make an educational environment welcoming? ›

What Are The Factors That Make A Positive Learning Environment?
  • Establish a supportive learning culture. Each member of the learning community should have the feeling of connectedness. ...
  • Address Learners' Needs. ...
  • Keep it Positive. ...
  • Provide Feedback. ...
  • Celebrate Success. ...
  • Safety. ...
  • Employ Interactive Games and Activities.
6 Apr 2018

How do you present a new lesson? ›

Five Ways to Start Your Lessons
  1. Start with a Video. Everyone loves a good video, especially kids. ...
  2. Start with an Object. Another way to get your students wondering about a topic is to show them objects related to the content. ...
  3. Start with a Question. ...
  4. Start with Movement. ...
  5. Start with a Mistake.
14 Sept 2016

How do you engage students before a lesson? ›

Teaching strategies to ensure student engagement
  1. Begin the lesson with an interesting fact. ...
  2. Exude enthusiasm and engagement. ...
  3. Encourage connections that are meaningful and relevant. ...
  4. Plan for short attention spans. ...
  5. Address different learning styles and multiple intelligences. ...
  6. Turn lessons into games. ...
  7. Turn lessons into stories.
11 Jul 2019

How do you creatively present a lesson? ›

Here are 72 fun and creative ways for your students to show what they know.
  1. Create a poster.
  2. Make a PowerPoint presentation.
  3. Design a model.
  4. Make a shoebox diorama.
  5. Use a 3-panel display board.
  6. Make a timeline.
  7. Create a board game incorporating key elements.
  8. Write a poem.

What are the three importance of warm-up activities? ›

The benefits of warming up before a workout can provide many positive outcomes such as: Increased blood and oxygen to the muscles that are in use. Dilated blood vessels to pump blood easier. Less strain on the heart to pump blood throughout the system.

Why is warm-up important give five points? ›

These 5 tips will give you a good routine to ensure the right outcome. Warming up helps the body to deliver oxygen to the exercising muscle groups. Warming up increases body temperature, which reduces the chance for muscle and tendon injuries. A 5 minute warm-up increases blood flow to the exercising muscles.

How should I warm-up before teaching English? ›

ESL warm-up activities for kids
  1. Strike a pose. This is a simple ESL warm-up activity that includes a lot of movement. ...
  2. Charades. Students take turns acting out a word provided by you while their classmates try to guess what it is. ...
  3. Question time. ...
  4. We are fun, fantastic friends! ...
  5. All about me.
25 Aug 2021

What are 5 social activities? ›

The best social activities
  • Going out to eat. We all have to eat, and enjoying a meal with friends can be one of life's greatest pleasures. ...
  • Board games. Grab your friends and host a board game night. ...
  • Meeting up for coffee. ...
  • Movie nights. ...
  • Pick-up sports. ...
  • Volunteering together as a group. ...
  • Video games. ...
  • Hiking.
4 Jan 2021

What can you do with 5 minutes left in class? ›

10 Things to Do When You Only Have 5 Minutes Left in Class
  1. Journal writing: Have your students write a journal entry to summarize the things that they learned in class that particular day. ...
  2. Conduct a poll: ...
  3. Writing notes: ...
  4. The Toilet Paper Game: ...
  5. Ticket to Leave: ...
  6. Read a book: ...
  7. Play Hangman: ...
  8. Toss a ball:

What are the four main objectives of a warm-up? ›

The exercises before any physical activity pursue four main objectives: raising body temperature, increasing metabolic activity, increasing heart and respiratory rate and preparing the muscles for the subsequent effort.

What are the 3 types of warm up exercises? ›

Don't forget the most important part of your workout—taking a few minutes to warm up.
...
There are three types of warm ups you can do before your next workout:
  • Cardio Warm Ups. ...
  • Dynamic Movement. ...
  • Static stretches.
1 Oct 2021

What are the 7 warm-up? ›

7 Dynamic Warm-Ups
  • Hip Circles. Stand on one leg, using a countertop for support, and gently swing the opposite leg in circles out to the side. ...
  • Arm Circles. ...
  • Arm Swings. ...
  • High-Stepping. ...
  • Heel-to-Toe Walk. ...
  • Lunges with a Twist. ...
  • Step Up and Over.

What are 4 warm ups? ›

They are:
  • The general warm up;
  • Static stretching;
  • The sports specific warm up; and.
  • Dynamic stretching.

What are the 7 dynamic stretching exercises? ›

Seven Dynamic Stretching Exercises
  • 1) REVERSE LUNGE WITH TWIST. Take an exaggerated step backwards with the right leg. ...
  • 2) KNEE CRADLE. Standing, lift your left leg with the knee facing outwards. ...
  • 3) STRAIGHT LEG MARCH. ...
  • 4) BUTTOCK KICKS. ...
  • 5) HIGH KNEES. ...
  • 6) CARIOCA. ...
  • 7) SCORPION.
31 Aug 2017

What are warm up and cool down exercises? ›

A warmup gradually revs up your cardiovascular system by raising your body temperature and increasing blood flow to your muscles. Warming up may also help reduce muscle soreness and lessen your risk of injury. Cooling down after your workout allows for a gradual recovery of preexercise heart rate and blood pressure.

What are 10 cool down stretches? ›

10 Cool Down Exercises To Do After Your Workout
  1. Walking. ...
  2. Extended Child's Pose. ...
  3. Seated Hamstring Stretch. ...
  4. Reclined Twist. ...
  5. Standing Quad Stretch. ...
  6. Side Reach. ...
  7. Twisting Lunge. ...
  8. Knees to Chest Pose.
12 Jul 2021

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