Action Step of the Week: Monitor the Do Now

The routines may have started, but we need a little more refinement.

Jo Lein

Sep 13, 2024

In her article "Action Step of the Week: Monitor the Do Now," Jo Lein emphasizes the importance of monitoring the “Do Now” or bellwork activity at the start of each class. This routine task, which engages students immediately as they enter the classroom, plays a critical role in setting the tone for the rest of the lesson. Monitoring students' completion of the “Do Now” ensures engagement, accountability, and classroom management while providing an opportunity for timely feedback and early intervention for struggling students.

Why Monitoring the “Do Now” Matters

1. Ensures Student Engagement: Actively monitoring the “Do Now” helps teachers ensure that students are engaged right from the beginning of the class. When students see their work being observed and checked, they are more likely to focus on the task at hand, helping to create a productive learning environment.

2. Provides Accountability: By making it clear that the “Do Now” will be monitored, teachers signal to students that this activity is important. Students who know their work will be checked are more likely to take it seriously and put in effort, reinforcing the importance of starting class focused and ready to learn.

3. Allows for Timely Feedback: Monitoring enables teachers to provide immediate feedback on student work. This helps reinforce correct understanding or address misconceptions before moving on to the main part of the lesson. Prompt feedback ensures that any gaps in knowledge or misunderstandings are dealt with early, which can improve overall student performance.

4. Informs Instruction: Reviewing student responses to the “Do Now” can provide valuable insights into student understanding of prior material or their readiness for new concepts. This quick assessment allows teachers to adjust their instruction to better meet student needs, ensuring that the lesson is appropriately tailored.

5. Supports Classroom Management: Establishing a clear routine of completing and monitoring the “Do Now” helps create a smooth transition into the lesson, reducing distractions and off-task behavior. When students know that the teacher is actively watching their progress, they are more likely to stay on task, creating a more focused classroom environment.

6. Identifies Struggling Students: Regularly monitoring student progress allows teachers to quickly identify students who may be having difficulty with the material or who are not engaging with the work. This early identification enables timely intervention, giving teachers the opportunity to provide additional support before students fall behind.

Practical Steps for Monitoring the “Do Now”

Lein suggests a structured approach to monitoring the “Do Now”:

• After taking attendance, move around the room actively, checking students' progress and ensuring they are on task.
• Narrate student behavior, acknowledging those who are completing the task effectively. This positive reinforcement can motivate others to follow suit.
• Use the information gathered from monitoring to guide instruction and provide feedback, ensuring that all students are on the right track.

Challenges and Solutions

Some common challenges include students taking too long to start or complete the task, or not enough students participating. In such cases, it’s important to reflect on whether classroom routines, materials, or expectations are clear and consistent. Lein recommends adjusting the structure of the “Do Now” if necessary, focusing on managing materials and time effectively to ensure that students can complete the activity within a reasonable timeframe.

By actively monitoring the “Do Now,” teachers can ensure a smooth and focused start to class, reinforce student engagement, and create opportunities for immediate feedback and intervention.

Source: Action Step of the Week: Monitor the Do Now

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2024). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com