Research suggests that we have anywhere from seven to twenty-seven seconds to make a first impression. So, if you thought starting this post with research was a chump move, I've probably already lost you. If you are a sucker for statistics and you are thinking about the first few minutes of your classes, then let's press on together. In his expansive text on creating thinking students in every classroom, Peter Liljedahl asserts that you must get students thinking within the first five minutes of class in order to increase thinking for the remainder of class. Just as vital as the timeframe is the task, according to Liljedahl. We often begin class with a soft question or activity that does not require deep thought or creativity. He argues for inquiry tasks and problem solving to start class in a highly engaging way. In her insightful work on creating more culturally responsive teachers, Zaretta Hammond adds further depth to the need to ignite learning at the beginning of every ...