Capture student attention from the very first minutes of your lesson. This course explores the adolescent brain, offers high-impact hook strategies, and shows you how to transition smoothly into deep learning. Walk away with practical tools to boost engagement and make every minute count.
Early career teachers seeking clear, ready-to-use routines, and experienced teachers looking to refresh or sharpen their lesson starts.
4.2.2 Proficient Level - Create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments - Manage classroom activities: Establish and maintain orderly and workable routines to create an environment where student time is spent on learning tasks
FREE with Online Subscription
"Very informative with clear research based strategies that are easy to implement. Excellent video examples of classroom practice."
"Useful, accessible, bite sized lessons that validate and illuminate great strategies."
"The course was quick and concise and gave clear instructions on how to engage learners at the start of lessons. The background scientific research into the adolescent brain was interesting and informative and helped to provide a foundation that the activities in the rest of the course could be built upon. It connected the research to the practical activities well."
Welcome
Acknowledgement of Country
Learning Objectives
Teaching Standards
Introduction
Why the First Five Minutes Matter
From Understanding to Action
Reflection Question
Engagement Hooks That Work
Teaching Strategies: Five Proven Hook Types
Resource: 20 Hooks for Secondary School
Scenario Activity
Introduction
Balancing Engagement, Time and Purpose
Making Smooth Transitions
Reflection Question
Lesson Openings Across the Curriculum
Managing Time and Transitions
Avoiding Common Pitfalls
Resource: Crafting Your First Five
Resource: Smooth Transitions: A Practical Guide for Teachers
Reflection Question
Wrap Up
Reference List
Course Feedback
.png)