GOT A MINUTE?

If you've got 2 or 3 minutes after you've read a story or taught a lesson, these are some quick ways to assess learning and recall information. These ideas can be adapted for fiction or non-fiction literature, math, science, or social studies. All your students will be engaged and can reflect on what they've learned. That's a win/win!!

Sign Language
Teach children sign language for “yes” (make a fist and nod it up and down) and “no” (extend middle and index finger from thumb and open and close. As you ask questions, children respond with the appropriate sign.

Show Me
You will need two index cards. Write “yes” on one and “no” on the other. Children place these on the surface in front of them. As the teacher asks questions, the children hold up the appropriate word.

Envelope
Seal an envelope and cut it in half. Write “yes” on one side and “no” on the other side.

Stump the Teacher
Explain to the children that they get to be the teacher and ask you questions. Remind them to think about what they want to ask you before raising their hand. They must also know the answer to the question they are going to ask.

Schema
Teach sign language for "connection" (thumbs make circles with index fingers and join like a chain). Discuss that when they connect what is in the book with what is in their brain they make a "schema." If they've made a "schema" they can show you with their hands. Call on random students to explain how they connected personally with the book.

DO YOU RECALL?

Have you ever heard the saying: "Work smarter, not harder." That's what I like so much about the brain research. There are some very simple strategies that you can easily integrate into your day that can improve learning in powerful ways.

According to brain research children need to recall information throughout the day. (Think of it as that extra pat on the back or a second helping of dessert.) Here are a few tips for having children recall information after you’ve read a story, taught a lesson, or at the end of the day.

Thumbs Up Thinking

If you’ve learned something new you can stick up your thumb. If you’ve learned more than one new thing you can stick up a finger for each additional thing.

Right Now! Right Now! 

Stop at random times in the day and shout, “Right now, right now, right now, right now! Who can raise their hand and tell me something they know right now that they didn’t know when they came in the classroom this morning?”

Partner Share 

Have children turn to a friend and share something new they learned.

Toss and Tell 

Take a bean bag or wadded up paper ball. Ask a review question and then toss the ball to a student. The student answers the question or says something they learned and then tosses the ball back to you. Continue as time permits.

Draw 

Let children make “thinking pads” by cutting scrap paper into fourths. Staple about 10 sheets together. Use thinking pads to have children illustrate what they’ve learned after a lesson or after reading a book.

Microphone 

Pass around a play microphone or telephone for children to state what they’ve learned.
*Let children pretend they are a news reporter and state facts about the day.


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.

Fist List
Children make a fist and then hold up a finger for each new thing they learned that day.

Kiss Your Brain 

Write “Kiss Your Brain!” on a poster and tape it to your door. Before children leave for the day they must say something they learned and then kiss their brains.



Chant 

Start a beat for this chant by slapping thighs and clapping hands. Go around the room as you say the chant and children respond:
Hey, Hey, what do you say?
What did you learn in school today?

So, what do you RECALL from reading my blog today? Can you use one of these ideas in your classroom this year?

FIVE MINUTE QUICKIE

Here are some quick tools that children can keep with their school supplies for a quick review if you have a few extra minutes in the day. All the children will be actively engaged and the teacher can easily look around the room (or screen) and assess responses.

Yes/No
Each child will need two index cards. Write “yes” on one in green and “no” on the other one in red. As you ask questions, children respond by holding up the card with their response. For example: “Our state is Arizona.” “Fish has the short /a/ sound.” “Blue and glue rhyme.” “Yesterday was Thursday.”
 

*Note! You can make the questions simple or complex depending on the ability of your students.

Sign Language
Teach children sign language for “yes” (make a fist and nod it up and down) and “no” (extend middle and index finger from thumb and open and close. As you ask questions, children respond with the appropriate sign.


Pinch Cards
Cut construction paper or heavy paper into 8 ½ “ x 5 ½” rectangles. Down the left side write the numerals 0-10. Write the very same numerals on the reverse side. As the teacher calls out math problems the children pinch the correct answer and hold up their cards. The teacher can quickly glance around the room to check responses.

*Make pinch cards for sight words, letters, numeral recognition 10-20, phonics, etc.

BRAINY REVIEW AND RECALL

According to research, it is important for children to review and recall information throughout the day. Here are some tips to help children remember in special ways.


Thumbs Up Thinking
If you’ve learned something new you can stick up your thumb. If you’ve learned more than one new thing you can stick up a finger for each additional thing.

                                             
Visualize
Have children close their eyes and reflect on what they did well and what they learned.


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.

Fist List
Children make a fist and then hold up a finger for each new thing they learned that day.

                      

Kiss Your Brain
Write “Kiss Your Brain!” on a poster and tape it to your door. Before children leave for the day they must say something they learned and then kiss their brains.

                                                                         

*Run off copies of these “brain tickets” to pass out to children at the end of the day.

                                                      bit.ly/drjean-BrainTick

Here's a link to download Break Break cards:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1O30ZRMuhRj0sDXNuAUPdLlgheRDlYPKP?usp=sharing

Dr. Jean Unplugged! Stop Swiping & Start Moving     Presented by:  Dr. Jean Feldman

Giveaways! 5 lucky winners will win a $25 Amazon Gift Card and a free 1st year of ESGI!   Enough tap and swipe!  Let’s learn on our feet and not on our seat with the brain energizers that Dr. Jean will demonstrate in this webinar.   You’ll learn: Mind-body songs to start your day Smart brain breaks to reinforce skills Simple brain toys to engage children FUN ways to release wiggles and help children focus   About Dr. Jean Feldman Dr. Jean's noteworthy educational career has spanned more than 40 years. She has served as a classroom teacher, instructor of adults, author, and consultant. Dr. Jean inspires teachers across the country with her engaging songs and creative activities that help make teaching and learning FUN! Learn more about Dr. Jeanhere.    February 17 Register for the 5:30 PM EST Broadcast     Register for the 7:30 PM EST Broadcast   All attendees of the live broadcast will receive a Certificate of Attendance.    Who Should Attend the Webinar Teachers, Principals, District Administrators and Intervention Specialists are invited to attend ESGI's monthly webinar series.   Get started with your 60 day free trial of ESGI. Click on the orange link below and use promo code HAPPIES.   Start Your Free Trial!

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