The first few minutes of a lesson are crucial in setting the tone for learning. Starter activities play an essential role in engaging students, helping them focus, and preparing them for the work ahead. These ten literacy starter ideas are designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and support key literacy skills.
Try some of these to begin your next literacy lesson or Lexia session.
1. Use Lexia on the Interactive Whiteboard
Kick things off by projecting Lexia’s Educator Mode onto your interactive whiteboard. Use the program’s word-matching, spelling or comprehension activities to model critical literacy skills in real-time. This is an excellent way to demonstrate strategies and involve the whole class in a collaborative learning moment. Access Educator Mode by simply logging in to either Core5 or PowerUp using your teacher credentials.
2. Vocabulary Vault
Create a “vault” of key vocabulary words tied to your current lessons or Lexia activities. Each session, choose a word for students to define, use in a sentence, and identify synonyms or antonyms. This reinforces language skills and builds confidence in tackling unfamiliar words.
3. Thirty-Second Story Challenge
Show students a picture or give a simple prompt, then ask them to share a quick idea or a few sentences about what might happen next. They can jot it down or share it aloud. This activity focuses on creativity and participation without the pressure of formal writing.
4. Reader’s Theatre
Assign short, engaging scripts for students to perform. This fun, low-pressure activity not only improves fluency and expression but also supports oracy skills by encouraging clear articulation, listening, and confident speaking in front of peers.
5. Phonics Flash
For younger learners, spend the first five minutes on a rapid-fire phonics review. Use flashcards or digital tools like Lexia to practice sounds, blends, and decoding strategies. Bring up a phonics activity on the interactive whiteboard to try together using Educator Mode or download phonics flashcards from the myLexia Resource Hub.
6. Celebrate Lexia Achievements
Start your session by celebrating student achievements in Lexia, such as earning certificates or reaching new milestones. Highlight a few success stories and encourage the class to applaud their peers. This recognition builds confidence and motivates students to keep progressing.
7. Quick Write Prompts
Provide students with a short passage or paragraph and ask them to identify the main idea, a key detail, or a word they found interesting. This activity encourages active reading and helps build comprehension skills in just a few minutes. Lexia’s Comprehension Passages, Close Reads or Decodable Readers are perfect for this! Download them from the myLexia Resource Hub.
8. Word Association Web
Start with a single word on the board and ask students to contribute related words, creating a web of associations. This activity supports vocabulary development and encourages students to be creative with language and make connections across contexts.
9. Mystery Word Challenge
Write a “mystery word” on the board with only the first letter and a blank for each remaining letter (e.g., “L_ _ _ _”). Give students a series of clues to guess the word, such as its definition, synonyms, or a sentence where it could be used. This activity sharpens critical thinking and reinforces vocabulary, grammar and spelling patterns in a fun and interactive way.
10. Goal-Setting Circle
Write a “mystery word” on the board with only the first letter and a blank for each remaining letter (e.g., “L_ _ _ _”). Give students a series of clues to guess the word, such as its definition, synonyms, or a sentence where it could be used. This activity sharpens critical thinking and reinforces vocabulary, grammar and spelling patterns in a fun and interactive way.
Join the Conversation
Have a literacy starter activity idea that works wonders in your classroom? Share it with the LexiaUK community on Twitter or Facebook. Collaborating with other Lexia educators can help create an inspiring and effective environment for literacy success. Tag us with #LexiaUK to get involved!
