Creating Welcoming Spaces

Ideas

Idea #12: Welcoming Warm-ups and Cool-downs

"When we warm up, we're generally growing comfortable, which is a very different association to invoke than the brittle sharpness of breaking ice. Talking to one another is also a muscle to be stretched, just as we might before going on a walk or a run, and it takes practice to do it well." —Catherine J. Denial

Learning Intentions

Encouraging students to focus and tune into your class activities–throughout the course term–serves them and you well to make the most of everyone's time. Likewise, ensuring there is time to wrap up an intense conversation, reflect on learning, and offer feedback can bring a calm transition to the close of your class.

Strategies

  • Make It Fit: Ensure the activity is a good fit for your personality and well as for your course subject.
  • Activate Prior Knowledge: Bring everyone up to speed, allow everyone to "code switch" into the course, whether it is math or Japanese.
  • Quick Start: Low stakes questions such as a "Question of the Day" with a fun/funny slide; "Would you rather…" (e.g., be invisible or fly), or favorite YouTube video.

Getting to Know You

  • Scavenger Hunt: Use a tool like Padlet to have everyone share a favorite photo or video.
  • All Different & Same: Have groups find 3 things that are the same in the group and 3 things that are different.
  • Introduce Someone Special: Students share about a person/animal they love.

Connect to Course Content

  • Q&A: Get questions via a poll and have everyone contribute answers.
  • Personal Hero: Have students find someone who inspires them in the discipline.
  • Intro Slides: Prepare mini slideshows with information and images about a cultural or unique side story related to the class; set to auto play right before every class; offer an extra credit question on the exam from these.

Cool-Downs

  • What, So What, Now What? Students use this framework to share what they took away from a discussion, what was meaningful, and what deduction or action they can take.
  • Quick-Write: a.k.a. logline, exit ticket, or minute paper, students summarize a take-away from the class. A rose/bud/thorn prompt focuses on what is working well, what is an opportunity for growth, and what is difficult/needs work. A thoughts/questions/epiphanies prompt can be related to a reading or film.
  • What I Need from You: To wrap-up group work, have each person share what they need from each other to reach their goal.

Benefits

  • Build community; kick start active participation.
  • Activate prior knowledge.
  • Build schema and vocabulary related to class topic.
  • Lower affective filter to reduce anxiety about making errors.

Resources