Start Strong with Bellringers: The Ultimate Classroom Management Tool

Are you struggling to get everything organized at the start of class? Class change can be stressful–hall duty, students needing things, moving to a different classroom, or maybe just trying to get a chance to run to the bathroom before the next block starts. It’s tough to do ALL the things AND be ready to teach the next class with limited time to set it up.

Bellringers might be just what your class needs to get on track and start each block with the structure you crave. When students enter the room there is a set expectation for what they should be doing. Bellringers help avoid that chaotic feeling that can get you off your game.

⏰ Consistency

By incorporating a consistent bellringer routine, you set a positive tone for the learning experience. Students know what to expect, easing them into the day’s lesson and giving you that much needed time to get organized.

📝 Take Attendance and Cover Missed Work

While students are settling into their seats and getting started on the bellringer, you have the opportunity to take attendance and meet with students about things they missed when they were absent. Bellringers give you the time you need to get administrative tasks done at the beginning of class.

📦 Distribute Materials

Ever found yourself passing out papers while students twiddle their thumbs or scrambling to set up an activity while chaos occurs around you? As your students engage with the bellringer, you’ve got the perfect window to hand out materials, ensuring that everything is set for the day’s lesson.

🚀 Kick-start Learning

Bellringers can help you get students thinking and engaging with key course concepts. This could include questions that require brainstorming, researching, or exploration. These questions can set the stage for the rest of the class.

🔑 Reinforce Key Concepts

Bellringers aren’t just a one-time deal; they’re your secret weapon for revisiting and reinforcing key concepts. Use them to jog students’ memories, spark discussions, and link previous learning to the current topic. This consistent review enhances retention and helps build those all-important connections.

🔮 Promote Reflection

Bellringers also make the perfect reflection tool. Pose a question related to the previous day’s lesson, and encourage students to think about what they’ve learned and how it applies to the real world. This practice cultivates deeper understanding and encourages critical thinking.

📚 Implementation

Set the expectation that as students enter the classroom they should start on the bellringer. Students record the question and respond to the question (this can be completed digitally or on paper). After students have had time to complete the bellringer, discuss the answer as a class. Students then have the opportunity to correct their answers as needed.

🔍 Grading

Establish a consistent grading strategy. For a paper version, I prefer to print a sheet double-sided and have students complete a week per side. I recommend collecting the worksheet every other week and grade the work. The digital version gives you a little more flexibility. You could select once a week, every other week, every 4 1/2 weeks, or do spot checks. You can grab this FREE Bellringer Answer Recording Form to use with your class.