When students come into our classroom for the first time, they may feel intimidated, unprepared or even unsure (of the surroundings, the new instructor or new classmates). We often have students from all walks of life, of different ages and educational backgrounds.
As an instructor, it is up to us provide an environment that they feel they can learn at ease. Having a plan 'a' and a plan 'b' to customize to the students makes sense as not everyone is created the same. Plan 'b' also helps to bring the off-focus students back in check.
I often create Q&A games every few weeks in order to determine the progress of their learning and in so doing, I can see if my teaching methods are on track as well.
Every so often, when I have students who are fast learners, I may run out of content; but from now on, I will get ready trays of different products that I can test them as a 'Product ID' evaluation. This will in turn, help reinforce the mateial they have been taught in class.