Having children recall information during
the day and at the end of the day is a powerful learning strategy that is easy
to implement. Here are a few
suggestions you can use after reading a story, teaching a lesson, or to end
your day in a positive way.
What Did You Learn?
First, ask children to think of something
new they learned in school that day.
Then slap thighs and snap fingers as you go around the classroom and
say:
Hey, hey, what do you say?
What did you learn in school today?
(Child responds what he or she learned.)
Continue saying the chant to the next
child.
Catch and Tell
You can also throw
a ball (or bean bag) around the room.
As children catch the ball they say something they learned and then
throw the ball to another friend.
Partner Teach
Have children get
a partner and review what they learned or let have them discuss parts of a
story.
Brain Tickets
Get a roll of
tickets used for carnivals. At the
end of the day pass out tickets to children who can tell you something they
learned that day.
*You could also
use the tickets to reward children who answer questions correctly.
Kiss Your
Brain!
Draw a pair of
giant lips for your classroom door.
Before children go home ask them to tell you one new thing they
learned. Then tell them to “kiss
their brains!”
*One teacher said
she kept a container of Hershey’s kisses for special occasions.
Catch a Star
Ask children to
think of something new they learned or something they did that made them feel
proud. Tell them to reach up and
grab a star and then put it in their hearts.
Close Your
Eyes and Smile
Have children
close their eyes. If they can see
something new they learned they can open their eyes and smile at you.
Pat Yourself
on the Back
Children can also
pat themselves on the back to reinforce learning. Make sure they extend their arm across their body and pat
the back of the opposite shoulder as they say, “Good job!”
