AI Collaboration Toolkit: Generating Engaging Warmups with Strategic Questions

Every teacher knows the importance of a good warmup activity. Whether you call them bell ringers, energizers, or lesson starters, these quick activities set the tone for your entire class period. But coming up with fresh, engaging warmups day after day can be challenging. Here’s how AI can help you keep your lesson starters interesting and effective.

The Perfect Warmup Generator

I’ve developed a prompt that helps create engaging warmups tailored to your class and lesson objectives. Here it is:

Help me create a warmup activity for my class. Ask me questions ONE AT A TIME about:
1. Subject and topic being covered
2. Grade level and class vibe
3. Time available for the warmup
4. Time of day and energy level needed
5. Connection to lesson objectives (if any)
6. Available materials or restrictions

After each response:
- Summarize what you know so far
- Confirm understanding
- Ask next question

Once you have the information:
1. Offer three different warmup options:
   - One physical/movement-based
   - One discussion/thinking-based
   - One subject-related review
2. For the chosen option, provide:
   - Clear, quick setup instructions
   - Timing breakdown
   - Success indicators
   - Transition strategy to main lesson
   - Variations for different energy levels

Note: Keep it simple and engaging. These are meant to be starters, not full activities.

Why This Prompt Works

Let’s break down what makes this prompt effective:

Focused Questions:

• Keeps the scope narrow and manageable
• Addresses key factors that affect warmup success
• Considers practical constraints

Three Types of Options:

• Movement-based for low-energy times
• Discussion-based for engagement
• Subject-related for review and connection

Quick Implementation Details:

• Setup instructions that don’t waste time
• Clear timing to keep things moving
• Smooth transition strategies

Real-World Example

Here’s how a quick exchange might look:

AI: “What subject and topic are you covering today?”

You: “9th grade English, we’re starting Romeo and Juliet.”

AI: “Got it - 9th grade English, beginning Romeo and Juliet. What time of day is this class, and what’s the typical energy level?”

You: “First period, they’re usually pretty sleepy.”

From just these exchanges, the AI can suggest appropriately energizing activities that tie into your lesson.

Types of Warmups You Can Create

This approach works great for generating:

• Physical energizers
• Think-pair-share variations
• Quick writing prompts
• Review games
• Discussion starters
• Brain teasers
• Subject-specific challenges

Making It Work for You

Tips for getting the best warmups:

1. Be specific about your class’s personality
2. Mention any physical space limitations
3. Note if you need to connect to specific content
4. Consider the time of day and student energy
5. Think about transition needs

Keeping Things Fresh

One of the best things about using AI for warmups is how easily you can generate variations. If you find an activity that works well, you can ask for:

• A slightly different version for tomorrow
• A modified version for a different subject
• An adapted version for different energy levels
• A simplified version for shorter time periods

Beyond Basic Warmups

Once you’re comfortable with the process, you can use similar prompts to create:

• Exit tickets
• Brain breaks
• Transition activities
• Quick review games
• Discussion starters

Success Strategies

For the best results:

1. Keep your class dynamics in mind
2. Don’t be afraid to modify suggestions
3. Build a collection of successful warmups
4. Consider cultural and community factors
5. Be ready to adjust timing as needed

Ready to Try It?

Start with your next class. Use the prompt to generate a warmup activity and see how it goes. Remember, the goal is to:

• Engage students quickly
• Set the right energy level
• Make connections to learning when possible
• Keep things simple and manageable

The beauty of this approach is that you can quickly generate new ideas while keeping what works for your specific classroom context. No more recycling the same few warmups or spending hours searching for new ones. Just targeted activities that get your class started right.

Final Thoughts

Great warmups don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming to plan. With this AI collaboration approach, you can keep your lesson starters fresh and engaging while maintaining the right balance for your classroom. Give it a try - your students (and your lesson planning schedule) will thank you.