Transitioning from one activity to the next

A ‘transition’ is moving from one activity to the next. Getting transitions right gives your activity continuity and a sense of purpose. Watch the video of educators talking about how they transition.

Transitions are made up of:

• Effectively finishing off one activity
• Ensuring everyone has had sufficient time to complete the activity
• Bringing everyone back to you and ensuring they are ready to listen. You could use a countdown or noise maker to get everyone’s attention
• Questioning to see how they have done and what they understood
• Starting off the next stage of the activity
• Outlining what will happen
• Explaining how the two activities are linked
• Explaining the progression of the activities
• Checking understanding

Throughout this process the pace at which you deliver each step is incredibly important. You need to ensure you have given the young people enough time to do the activity and any talking that you do is purposeful and productive.

Comment

How are you going to make your transitions effective? Share ideas in comments.