A Do Now activity is a short, focused task that students complete at the beginning of a lesson, typically within the first 5–10 minutes of class. It is designed to engage students immediately, set the tone for learning, and prepare them for the day’s instruction. A Do Now requires minimal teacher instruction so students can begin working independently. It is usually Tied to prior knowledge, review, or a preview of new material. Additionally, Do Nows are quick and efficient, often completed in a few minutes. Lastly, Do Nows provide teachers with informal assessment data on student understanding.
1. Engages Students Immediately
A Do Now serves as a structured way to begin class, ensuring that students transition from their previous activities into learning mode. It eliminates wasted time and reduces off-task behavior by giving students a clear task as soon as they enter the room. This is especially beneficial for managing classroom routines, as students know what is expected of them at the start of each lesson. Additionally, Do Now activities help foster independence and responsibility by encouraging students to start working without direct teacher prompting.
2. Reinforces Prior Learning
Do Now activities are a great way to review and strengthen previously taught concepts. They provide students with frequent opportunities to revisit skills, which improves retention and helps them make connections between past and new learning. By spiraling content regularly, teachers can prevent students from forgetting key information. For example, in math, a Do Now might include a problem-solving task that reinforces a concept learned the previous week, ensuring students retain and apply their knowledge.
3. Assesses Understanding
A Do Now can serve as a quick, informal formative assessment that allows teachers to gauge student understanding before diving into new material. By analyzing students’ responses, teachers can identify misconceptions and adjust their instruction accordingly. For example, if many students struggle with a particular problem, the teacher can take time to address gaps before moving forward. This real-time feedback helps differentiate instruction and ensures that students receive the support they need.
Thematic days of the week are great ways to implement Do Nows. Students know what to expect each day, which helps establish a structured learning environment. By focusing on different math or reading skills each day, students get well-rounded practice. Examples for reading and math Do Nows are below:
Reading
Math
Main Idea Monday – Focus on identifying the main idea and supporting details in a short passage.
Text Evidence Tuesday – Answer comprehension questions that require students to find and cite textual evidence.
Word Work Wednesday – Practice vocabulary skills, such as using context clues, prefixes/suffixes, or figurative language.
Thinking Deeper Thursday – Analyze characters, make inferences, or determine the author’s purpose.
Fluency & Fiction Friday – Read aloud for fluency practice or engage in a creative response to a fictional story.
Mental Math Monday – Quick calculations, number patterns, or estimation problems to build fluency.
Two-Step Tuesday – Solve multi-step word problems or equations that require logical thinking.
Word Problem Wednesday – Tackle real-world math problems involving fractions, decimals, or algebra.
Thinking Thursday – Engage in critical thinking puzzles, math riddles, or logic-based challenges.
Fact Fluency Friday – Timed drills or review of essential math facts (multiplication, division, exponents, etc.).
The Daily Math Practice Bundle for RIT Band 221-230 provides targeted math problems designed to build fluency and reinforce key skills for students at this level. It can be used as a Do Now activity by having students complete a quick set of problems at the start of class, ensuring consistent practice and assessment of their understanding. This resource is available for purchase on Teachers Pay Teachers at the following link: Daily Math Practice Bundle for RIT Band 221-230.
