ELA Warm-Up Activities: A Simple Routine That Supports Student Success [Ep 83] - Middle School Café – Strategies & Support for Middle School ELA Teachers | Lyssna här

The first few minutes of class often set the tone for everything that follows, yet warm-up activities are sometimes treated as little more than time fillers. In this episode, I share why I believe a consistent warm-up routine is one of the most valuable structures we can build into our classrooms. From helping students transition into learning to reinforcing important ELA skills throughout the year, warm-ups can create a predictable start that benefits both students and teachers.

I'll also share how I structured my own weekly warm-up routine, why I kept warm-ups low stakes, and how those few minutes each day became an opportunity to strengthen reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar, and critical thinking without adding more to my daily planning. Whether you're still preparing for the school year or looking to refine your routines after school has already begun, this episode offers practical ideas for making those first five to ten minutes of class count.