Which approach is recommended for a teacher to engage students at the beginning of a new unit?

Engaging students at the beginning of a new unit is crucial for setting a positive tone and stimulating their interest in the upcoming material. A brainstorming session is an effective method because it actively involves students in the learning process from the outset, allowing them to share their previous knowledge and thoughts related to the topic. This can help foster a sense of ownership over their learning while allowing the teacher to gauge students' preconceptions and interest levels.

By facilitating a brainstorming session, the teacher encourages collaborative discussion, which not only promotes critical thinking but also builds a classroom community. Students may feel more connected to the content when they are encouraged to express their ideas and collaborate with peers on formulating thoughts and questions. This method can help create a rich foundation for the unit, motivating students to engage deeply with the material that follows.

In contrast, reviewing previous assessments, introducing key vocabulary terms, and providing an overview of unit objectives, while valuable, might not instigate the same level of engagement right away. These options may not elicit immediate student input or collaboration as effectively as a brainstorming session does. Instead, they could feel more like a lecture or information dump rather than an interactive entry point into the new content.