Math Warm-Ups or Number Sense Routines

“Great lessons are a lot like running the 100-meter dash—a strong start makes all the difference.”

The opening 5-10 minutes of class are the time when students’ brains are their freshest, and they tend to remember more of what’s been taught during this period than any other time of the learning block. In addition, students who are not engaged in the first few minutes are more likely to shut down for the rest of the lesson, while students who are actively engaged and thinking right away are more likely to stay that way. Finally, warm-ups can be used to preview, practice, or review priority standards on a daily basis.

Mathematically Productive Instructional Routines