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Five-minute structures

Five minutes left at the end of the lesson, or need a sharp opener? Every structure on this page is guaranteed to fit within five minutes — timed for one round, in class, with no preparation at home. Open it on the board and go: steps, timer and instructions are ready.

10 structures in this theme

Stand Up & Sit Down
Participants respond to statements by standing (agree) or staying seated (disagree).
Everyone joins in
2–4 min5.04.8
Taking Turns
Work in pairs or small groups. Take turns giving one answer to the question.
Materials in the basic kitEveryone joins inCooperative learning
2–4 · 3–5 min
On time
Everyone gets a timed turn to speak about a topic — choose the group size and grouping while playing.
Materials in the basic kitEveryone joins in
2–4 · 3–5 min
Full steps after registration
Numbered Minds
Everyone gets a number in the group. Write individually, discuss together — then the facilitator picks a number to explain the answer.
Materials in the basic kitEveryone joins inCooperative learning
2–6 · 3–5 min4.5
Full steps after registration
Think, Write & Share
Write individual ideas, compare them in your group and share the combined list with the class.
Materials in the basic kitEveryone joins inHigher-order
2–6 · 3–5 min5.0
Full steps after registration
Copy Me
A makes something and says step by step what A is doing; B sits turned away and copies from the words alone. Then side by side: which instruction was right, which too vague? Next round the roles swap.
Own materials neededEveryone joins inTPR
2–3 min4.0
Full steps after registration
Shuffle & Pick
Groups of 4 with a card deck: A holds the cards in a fan, B draws one and reads the question out loud, C answers, D checks and coaches. After every rotation the roles move along.
Own materials neededMaterials in the basic kitEveryone joins in
3 min
Full steps after registration
Read and Ask
In pairs: A reads a passage aloud, B listens without reading along. Then A asks one question about the text; B answers and A checks in the text — right: a compliment, wrong: A points to the place. The next passage is read by B.
Own materials neededEveryone joins in
2 min5.0
Full steps after registration
Gallery Walk
Every team lays its work on the table and picks a keeper who stays with it. The rest go on tour past the other tables and give feedback on the questions on the screen; the keeper writes it down. Back at the table the keeper reports, and the team reflects.
Higher-orderChanging groups
5 min
Full steps after registration
Knowledge Quiz
A question on the screen; every team confers and writes its answer on the whiteboard sheet. All boards up at once, then the answer — and a point for every team that had it. The scoreboard on the screen keeps count.
Materials in the basic kit
1–2 min
Full steps after registration

More collections

All structures →Short structures (up to 10 minutes)Structures for speaking skills Structures for listening skills Structures for reading skills Structures with writing Learning in motion: structures with movement Retrieval practice structures Ice-breakers for class and team Energisers for class and team