Bell Work Ideas for the Classroom

Getting Students Engaged From the Start of School Day

Aug 15, 2009 Doris Keeler

When the tardy bell rings, it's every teacher's dream to have students in their seats working. With daily bell work activities, chaos turns to calm in the classroom.

Bell work activities are just that, activities to keep students busy as soon as class begins. They can be used as a review from the previous day, an introduction to the current day's lessons, or a supplementary lesson. No matter what subject is taught, bell work is a useful tool.

Responding to Quotations

Quotations are available on just about any topic and are said by just about anybody. A quick search on the Internet or in a book of quotations will uncover sayings by mathematicians, scientists, authors, historians, prominent people in history, or characters in novels or movies. Topics range from art to zodiacs.

To use the quote in class, write it on the board along with the name of the person who said it, who the person is (author, playwright, athlete, politician, etc.), and when it was said. Have students respond to one of the following:

  • What does the quote mean?
  • Do they agree or disagree and why?
  • How can students apply the quote to their lives?
  • What is the historical context of the quote? (This requires them to evaluate what was going on during the time period in history.)
  • Have students rewrite the quote in their own words.

Using quotations as bell work provides an activity at the beginning of class and also introduces students to words spoken by other individuals.

Lists as Bell Work

Students are good at making lists and that makes this activity one they can begin with little instruction. Gear the list toward what is being taught for the day or just make it a fun activity.

  • States and their capitals
  • Presidents and their Vice-Presidents
  • Chemical elements and their symbols
  • Synonyms and antonyms
  • David Letterman "Top Ten" style lists (For example: the top ten books a student has read.)
  • Characters in books, movies, television shows
  • What a student needs to do to complete an assignment or project

The topics for lists are endless. Just make sure the lists will require enough time to keep students engaged.

Use Writing to Start Class

Whether it's a poem, paragraph, or journal entry, writing is a great way to get class started. Give students a predetermined topic or have them free write.

  • Provide a term being student (ex. Hero) and have students write an acrostic poem.
  • Write the first two or three sentences of a story and have students complete it.
  • Have students write a paragraph summary of what they learned the previous day in class.
  • Write a prompt on the board and have students respond. (Ex. If you could have any three wishes, what would they be and why?)
  • Use an overhead projector and display a painting or photograph. Have students describe the picture or use it as the basis for a story.
  • Write one word on the board and have students write about it in their own way (poem, list, story, etc.) The topic is provided, just not the format.
  • Free writes can be used to allow students to explore their own writing style and topic.

Popular Word Games as Class Starters

Another fun way to start class is to provide a word game and have students play independently. These are good vocabulary builders and the best part is students like to do them.

  • How many words can they find in a phrase? This is an old standby. Choose the name of a book, a holiday, or other phrase and have students come up with as many words as possible in a given amount of time.
  • Boggle (TM): Use a 4x4 grid and place letters in each box. Students have to make as many words as possible with the letters. However, the letters have to connect and students cannot go back to the letter again.
  • Scrabble (TM): A slight variation of the popular board game, using this in a classroom is easy. Write a series of seven letters on the board and have students come up with as many words as possible. Hasbro offers a tool to input the letters and provides a list of all words possible from that combination. Type in the letters in the "Word Builder" window and not in the dictionary.
  • Hink Pinks: These are riddles with answers that rhyme. (Ex. An overweight feline is a fat cat.) Provide students with a list of at least five and have them try and figure out the answer. Start with simple ones and work up to harder ones. Teachers can even have students try and write their own.

There are many options available for bell work. Whether it's responding to quotations, making lists, writing, or playing word games, the activities are designed to get the students engaged in class as soon as the tardy bell rings. With students beginning their work immediately, less time is lost in class and more learning takes place.

Related article: Creative Writing as Bell Work

The copyright of the article Bell Work Ideas for the Classroom in Teacher Tips/Training is owned by Doris Keeler. Permission to republish Bell Work Ideas for the Classroom in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
Getting Students Engaged With Bell Work, DKeeler Getting Students Engaged With Bell Work
Using Board Games in Class, DKeeler Using Board Games in Class
 
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