The first five to ten minutes of a lesson after it begins are often lost by students settling in; however, a teacher can engage the students in warm-up activities that can help them focus for the upcoming period or recap on the previous lesson. Such activities include a set of mathematical problems, a short written activity, a brainteaser, puzzle or fill-in-blanks exercise based on the previous lesson.
Discussions held in the classroom under supervision of the teacher can help the teacher better understand students' expectations of the subject or course they are learning. This helps the students feel more comfortable in relating to the teacher. However, discussions also help students engage in orderly debates on various topics relevant to their grade level. Students gain skills such as critical thinking, research, and public speaking.
By inviting professionals from various fields to speak to the students, teachers provide a forum in which students can get firsthand information. For example, in a fine art lesson, a professional artist is the best source of information, and through a question-and-answer session, students can gain a better understanding of different concepts. Such interactions can present students with positive role models and realistic information on the benefits of pursuing one career over another.
Competition among students can be productive and destructive; however, under the guidance of a teacher, competition helps students build confidence and practice teamwork. By combining strong and weak students and introducing incentives such as prizes, a teacher creates motivation in the students to perform better. Examples of these activities are debates and spelling bees.