• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
  • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Memory Masters Assemble!

user image

Sara Lavallee

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Memory Match Mania Lesson Plan

Students will actively engage in a memory matching game to enhance their visual working memory and concentration skills.

Strengthening visual working memory helps students recall information more effectively, which is essential for reading, math, and following multi-step directions in the classroom.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Through a guided interactive game, students will practice visual recall and pattern recognition.

Materials

Smartboard or Projector, Memory Match Game, and Physical Memory Match Cards (optional)

Prep

Preparation Steps

5 minutes

  • Review the Memory Match Mania Lesson Plan and Memory Match Mania Slide Deck.
    * Prepare the digital Memory Match Game for display or print and cut out physical memory match cards.
    * Ensure the Smartboard/projector is set up and working.

Step 1

Introduction & Hook

2 minutes

  • Greet students and introduce the concept of memory.
    * Ask: "Have you ever played a game where you had to remember where things were? Today, we're going to become 'Memory Masters' with a fun game!"

Step 2

Explain the Game

3 minutes

  • Explain the rules of the Memory Match Game: Students will take turns flipping two cards to find a match. If they match, they keep the pair. If not, they flip them back over.
    * Emphasize the importance of remembering what's under each card.
    * Show an example round on the slide deck.

Step 3

Play Memory Match Mania

8 minutes

  • Facilitate the Memory Match Game as a whole class or in small groups if using physical cards.
    * Encourage students to verbalize what they remember: "I remember the blue square was here, and the blue square is also here!"
    * Provide positive reinforcement for remembering card locations, even if no match is made.

Step 4

Wrap-up & Reflection

2 minutes

  • Gather students' attention.
    * Ask: "What did you have to remember in this game? How did you use your memory?"
    * Briefly recap how remembering helps us in school and daily life.
lenny

Slide Deck

Welcome, Memory Masters!

Today, we're going on a memory adventure! How good is your memory?

Greet students warmly. Ask them to share a time they had to remember something important. Introduce the idea of 'Memory Masters'!

Your Brain's Notepad

• It helps you remember what you just saw or heard.
• It helps you follow directions.
• It helps you learn new things!

Explain what working memory is in simple terms: it's like a mental notepad where you hold information for a short time to use it. "Our brains have a special notepad! It helps us remember things we just saw or heard, so we can use that information right away."

Game Time: Memory Match Mania!

Get ready to use your super visual memory!

Introduce the game. Explain that it's a visual memory exercise. "We're going to play a game where we need our brain's notepad to remember where pictures are!"

How to Play

  1. Flip two cards.
    2. If they match, you keep the pair!
    3. If they don't match, flip them back over.
    4. Try to remember what was on each card and where it was!

Go over the rules clearly. Use gestures. Emphasize the 'remember where they are' part. "When you flip cards, try to remember what was on them and where they were, even if they don't match!"

Let's Play!

Ready, Set, MEMORIZE!

Start the game using the digital game or prompt students to get ready for physical cards. Encourage participation and verbalization of memory strategies.

Memory Master Reflection

• What did you have to remember?
• How did you use your memory?
• How can this help you in class?

Lead a brief discussion. Ask students what strategies they used. Connect it back to schoolwork. "How did remembering help you in this game? Where else do you use your memory at school?"

lenny

Activity

Memory Match Game: Find the Pairs!

Objective: Improve visual working memory by matching identical pairs of images.

Materials:

  • Set of cards with matching pairs of images (e.g., two apples, two blue squares, two red circles). Create 8-10 unique pairs for a total of 16-20 cards.
    • Digital Version: Use a shared interactive whiteboard or an online memory game tool.
    • Printable Version: Print and cut out the cards. Laminate for durability.

Instructions for Students:

  1. All cards are placed face down in a grid (e.g., 4x4 or 4x5).
  2. Player 1 flips over two cards.
  3. If the cards are a match: The player keeps the pair and gets another turn.
  4. If the cards are NOT a match: The player flips both cards back face down in their original spots.
  5. Crucial Step: Everyone tries to remember what images were on those cards and where they were located!
  6. The next player takes their turn, trying to find a match using their memory of previously revealed cards.
  7. The game continues until all pairs have been found.

Example Card Pairs (for printing/drawing):

  • Red Apple / Red Apple
  • Blue Square / Blue Square
  • Yellow Star / Yellow Star
  • Green Tree / Green Tree
  • Purple Flower / Purple Flower
  • Orange Circle / Orange Circle
  • Pink Heart / Pink Heart
  • Brown Bear / Brown Bear
  • Black Cat / Black Cat
  • White Cloud / White Cloud

Teacher Tip: For a whole-class activity, project the digital game or use large, visible physical cards. Call on students to pick cards. Encourage them to explain why they chose specific cards, demonstrating their recall.

lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Listen Up, Remember! Lesson Plan

Students will enhance their auditory working memory by actively listening to and recalling short sequences of words and instructions.

Strong auditory working memory is vital for following verbal instructions, understanding stories, and developing strong literacy skills in all subjects.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Through a fun, interactive call-and-response activity, students will practice auditory sequencing and recall.

Materials

Smartboard or Projector, Listen Up, Remember! Slide Deck, and Auditory Recall Activity prompts

Prep

Preparation Steps

5 minutes

  • Review the Listen Up, Remember! Lesson Plan and Listen Up, Remember! Slide Deck.
    * Familiarize yourself with the Auditory Recall Activity prompts.
    * Ensure the Smartboard/projector is set up and working.

Step 1

Introduction & Hook

2 minutes

  • Greet students and remind them about being "Memory Masters."
    * Ask: "Do you ever have to remember things you hear? Like when a grown-up tells you to do two or three things? Today, we'll sharpen our listening memory!"

Step 2

Explain the Game: Echo Challenge

3 minutes

  • Explain the rules of the Auditory Recall Activity (Echo Challenge): The teacher will say a short sequence of words or actions, and students will echo them back in the exact order.
    * Start with 2-word sequences and gradually increase.
    * Emphasize careful listening and remembering the order.

Step 3

Play Echo Challenge

8 minutes

  • Facilitate the Auditory Recall Activity prompts.
    * Start with simple sequences: "apple, banana." Students repeat. Then "jump, clap."
    * Gradually increase complexity to 3-4 items: "red, blue, green," or "stand up, turn around, sit down."
    * Provide prompts and positive feedback, reminding them to use their "brain's notepad" for listening.

Step 4

Wrap-up & Reflection

2 minutes

  • Ask: "Was it easier to remember two things or four things? What did you do to help you remember?"
    * Connect auditory memory to following classroom instructions and listening to stories.
lenny

Slide Deck

Listen Up, Memory Masters!

Today, we're going to make our 'listening memory' super strong!

Greet students. Remind them about our 'Memory Masters' journey. Ask them to share times they needed to remember what someone said.

Your Listening Notepad

• It helps you remember what your teacher says.
• It helps you understand stories.
• It helps you follow directions without seeing them written down!

Explain auditory memory in simple terms. "Your brain's notepad also helps you remember sounds and words you hear, even if you don't see anything!"

Game Time: Echo Challenge!

Can you echo what I say?

Introduce the 'Echo Challenge'. "We're going to play a game where I say some words, and you have to echo them back to me in the exact same order!"

How to Play the Echo Challenge

  1. I will say a sequence of words or actions.
    2. You listen very, very carefully!
    3. Then, you say (or do) them back in the exact same order.

Explain the rules. Start with an easy example. "I say 'cat, dog'. You say 'cat, dog'. Easy! Now, let's try to remember longer lists!"

Let's Echo!

Get your listening ears ready!

Initiate the activity. Begin with two items, then three, then four. Offer encouragement. "Use your listening notepad! What did you hear first? What did you hear next?"

Listening Memory Reflection

• What helped you remember the words?
• Why is good listening memory important at school?

Lead the reflection. Ask questions about strategies. Connect to classroom listening.

lenny

Activity

Auditory Recall Activity: Echo Challenge

Objective: To improve auditory working memory and the ability to recall sequences of information.

Materials:

  • Your voice!
  • Optional: The Listen Up, Remember! Slide Deck for visual cues.

Instructions for Teacher:

  1. Introduce: Explain that students will be playing an "Echo Challenge" where they listen carefully to a sequence of words or actions and then echo them back in the exact order. Emphasize that listening carefully and remembering the order is key.
  2. Start Simple (2 items): Begin with two simple, unrelated words or actions.
    • Example: "apple, blue"
    • Example: "jump, clap"
    • Example: "cat, quiet"
  3. Increase to 3 items: Once students are comfortable with two, move to three.
    • Example: "red, green, stop"
    • Example: "pen, book, table"
    • Example: "eat, drink, sleep"
  4. Increase to 4 items (Challenge): If students are doing well, try a few with four items. This might be challenging but good for extension.
    • Example: "dog, bark, run, fast"
    • Example: "pencil, sharpener, paper, write"
    • Example: "shoes, socks, shirt, pants"
  5. Actions: Incorporate simple actions to add variety.
    • Example: "stand up, sit down, clap hands"
    • Example: "touch head, touch shoulders, touch knees, touch toes"
  6. Encourage Strategies:
    • Ask students what helps them remember (e.g., repeating silently to themselves, making a picture in their mind).
    • Provide positive reinforcement for effort and correct recall.
    • Remind them it's okay to make mistakes; the goal is to practice!

Teacher Tips:

  • Speak clearly and at a moderate pace.
  • Pause briefly between items in a sequence.
  • Use different types of words (colors, animals, objects, actions) to keep it engaging.
  • Vary the sequences to prevent rote memorization.
  • If a student struggles, repeat the sequence slowly or provide a visual cue if possible (e.g., point to objects as you name them).
lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Simon Says, Remember This! Lesson Plan

Students will strengthen their working memory by actively listening to and accurately following multi-step instructions during a game of 'Simon Says'.

The ability to follow multi-step instructions is crucial for classroom routines, academic tasks, and developing independence. This lesson helps students hold several pieces of information in mind simultaneously.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Through a playful and interactive game of 'Simon Says', students will practice processing and executing sequences of commands.

Materials

Smartboard or Projector, Simon Says, Remember This! Slide Deck, and Simon Says Activity Prompts

Prep

Preparation Steps

5 minutes

  • Review the Simon Says, Remember This! Lesson Plan and Simon Says, Remember This! Slide Deck.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Simon Says Activity Prompts.
  • Ensure the Smartboard/projector is set up and working.

Step 1

Introduction & Hook

2 minutes

  • Greet students and remind them of their 'Memory Masters' journey.
  • Ask: "Who has played 'Simon Says' before? It's a great game for our memory because we have to remember the rules and what Simon says!"

Step 2

Explain the Game & Rules

3 minutes

  • Explain or review the classic rules of 'Simon Says': only follow instructions that start with "Simon Says."
  • Introduce a new twist:

Step 3

Play Simon Says (Multi-Step)

8 minutes

  • Begin with simple 'Simon Says' commands.
  • Gradually introduce multi-step commands (2-3 steps) that students need to remember in order.
    • Example: "Simon Says, touch your nose, then clap your hands."
    • Example: "Simon Says, stand up, turn around, and then sit down."
  • Observe students' ability to remember the sequence.
  • Provide encouraging feedback, emphasizing the memory aspect: "Great remembering both steps!"

Step 4

Wrap-up & Reflection

2 minutes

  • Ask: "What did you have to remember in 'Simon Says' today? How did you keep all those steps in your head?"
  • Connect this to following directions in class (e.g., "First, get out your math book, then turn to page 10, then start problem 1.")
lenny

Slide Deck

Simon Says, Memory!

Today, we're going to play a game that makes our memory for instructions super strong!

Greet students. Remind them about our memory journey. Ask if they like games. Introduce 'Simon Says' as a memory game.

Remembering All the Steps

• It helps you follow directions in class.
• It helps you complete tasks.
• It makes you a great listener!

Explain why following multi-step instructions is important. "Sometimes teachers or grown-ups tell us to do more than one thing at a time, like 'First, put away your book, then line up.' Our brain's notepad helps us remember all those steps!"

How to Play Simon Says

  1. Only do what "Simon Says" to do.
    2. If "Simon" doesn't say it, don't do it!
    3. Today, Simon might tell you to do more than one thing!

Review the basic rules of Simon Says. Emphasize only doing what 'Simon Says'.

Simon's Multi-Step Challenge!

Simon will give you two or even three things to remember at once! You need to hold all the steps in your brain and do them in the right order.

Explain the multi-step aspect. Provide a simple example verbally. "Simon might say 'touch your head and then clap your hands.' You have to remember both!"

Let's Play Simon Says!

Ready to remember what Simon says?

Begin the game using the prompts from the activity. Provide encouragement. "Focus your listening ears and your memory notepad!"

Simon Says, Reflect!

• What helped you remember all of Simon's steps?
• How can remembering multiple steps help you in school?

Lead reflection. Ask students how they remembered the steps. Connect to daily classroom instructions.

lenny

Activity

Simon Says Activity Prompts: Remember All the Steps!

Objective: To practice auditory working memory by following multi-step verbal instructions.

Materials:

  • Your voice!
  • Optional: The Simon Says, Remember This! Slide Deck for visual support.

Instructions for Teacher:

  1. Review Rules: Remind students of the classic "Simon Says" rules: only perform actions if the command starts with "Simon Says." Actions not prefaced by "Simon Says" should be ignored. Students who perform an action without "Simon Says" are out (or simply reset and try again for a gentler approach).

  2. Introduce Multi-Step: Explain that today, Simon will give them commands with 2 or 3 steps. They need to remember all the steps in the correct order.

  3. Start Simple (2-Step Commands - "Simon Says...")

    • ...touch your head, then touch your shoulders.
    • ...clap your hands twice, then stomp your feet once.
    • ...raise one hand, then wiggle your fingers.
    • ...turn around, then take one step forward.
    • ...put your hands on your knees, then smile big.

  4. Increase Difficulty (3-Step Commands - "Simon Says...")

    • ...stand up, turn around, and then sit down.
    • ...touch your toes, stand tall, and then jump once.
    • ...pat your head, rub your tummy, and then say "hoo!"
    • ...close your eyes, count to three (silently), and then open your eyes.
    • ...march in place, clap your hands, and then shout your favorite color.

  5. Mix it Up (Include Non-Simon Commands): After several "Simon Says" commands, occasionally give a command without "Simon Says" to ensure students are paying close attention to the rule, not just the action sequence.

    • Example: "Touch your nose!" (Students should not do it.)
    • Example: "Simon Says, point to the door, then point to the window."
    • Example: "Stomp your feet!" (Students should not do it.)

Teacher Tips:

  • Speak clearly and at a moderate pace, but ensure there's a slight pause between each step of a multi-step command to allow for processing.
  • Observe which students are struggling with sequencing versus remembering the "Simon Says" rule.
  • For a less competitive environment, if a student makes a mistake, simply say, "Oops, Simon didn't say that!" or "Let's try that sequence again together."
  • Encourage students to silently repeat the instructions to themselves to aid recall.
lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

What's Missing? Lesson Plan

Students will enhance their visual working memory by observing a set of objects and recalling which one has been removed.

Developing visual working memory is crucial for tasks like reading comprehension, problem-solving in math, and remembering classroom procedures. This activity sharpens students' observational skills.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Through an engaging 'What's Missing?' game, students will actively observe, memorize, and recall visual information.

Materials

Smartboard or Projector, What's Missing? Slide Deck, and What's Missing? Activity

Prep

Preparation Steps

5 minutes

  • Review the What's Missing? Lesson Plan and What's Missing? Slide Deck.
  • Prepare the objects or images needed for the What's Missing? Activity. Make sure they are visible to all students.
  • Ensure the Smartboard/projector is set up and working.

Step 1

Introduction & Hook

2 minutes

  • Greet students and energize them about their 'Memory Masters' journey.
  • Ask: "Have you ever looked at something, then looked away, and then tried to remember everything you saw? Today, we're going to play a detective game with our memory!"

Step 2

Explain the Game

3 minutes

  • Explain the rules of the What's Missing? Activity: Students will look at a group of objects for a short time, then close their eyes while one object is removed. They then open their eyes and try to remember what's gone.
  • Emphasize looking closely and trying to remember each item in their 'brain's notepad.'

Step 3

Play What's Missing?

8 minutes

  • Facilitate the What's Missing? Activity using the prepared objects or images.
  • Start with 3-4 objects, gradually increasing the number or complexity as students become proficient.
  • Encourage students to verbalize what strategies they used to remember the items.
  • Provide positive feedback for their careful observation and recall efforts.

Step 4

Wrap-up & Reflection

2 minutes

  • Ask: "What did you have to remember in this game? How did you keep those pictures in your head?"
  • Connect this memory skill to remembering details in books, pictures, or when looking for things at home.
lenny

Slide Deck

Memory Detectives!

Today, we're going to be memory detectives! Can you remember everything you see?

Greet students. Recap previous memory games. Introduce the idea of being 'memory detectives'.

Your Visual Notepad

• It helps you remember what pictures look like.
• It helps you remember where things are.
• It helps you find what you're looking for!

Explain visual memory. "Our brain's notepad also has a special place for remembering pictures and things we see!"

Game Time: What's Missing?

Get ready to look closely and remember!

Introduce the 'What's Missing?' game. "We'll look at some items, then hide our eyes, and one will disappear! Your job is to remember what went missing!"

How to Play

  1. Look closely at all the objects.
    2. Close your eyes tight when I say!
    3. When you open them, try to remember: What's gone?!

Explain the rules clearly. Emphasize observation.

Let's Play: What's Missing?

Eyes open, remember! Eyes closed... What's missing?

Facilitate the game using the objects or images. Start simple, increase difficulty. Encourage students to describe what they saw.

Memory Detective Reflection

• What helped you remember the objects?
• Where do you use your 'visual memory' in real life?

Lead reflection. Ask about strategies. Connect to real-life situations like finding lost items or remembering details from books.

lenny

Activity

What's Missing? Activity: Memory Detective Challenge

Objective: To enhance visual working memory and attention to detail by identifying a removed object from a set.

Materials:

  • A tray or flat surface (desk, table).
  • 5-10 small, distinct classroom objects (e.g., pencil, eraser, glue stick, small toy, crayon, block, small book, marker, paperclip, rubber duck).
  • A cloth or sheet to cover the objects (optional, or students just close their eyes).
  • Optional: The What's Missing? Slide Deck for visual introduction.

Instructions for Teacher:

  1. Preparation: Choose 5-7 everyday classroom objects. Arrange them on a tray or a clear space on a desk where all students can see them easily.

  2. Introduction: Explain to students that they are going to be memory detectives. Their mission is to observe a group of objects very carefully and remember what they see. Then, they will close their eyes, and a "mystery" will happen: one object will disappear! Their job is to figure out which one is missing.

  3. Round 1 (Practice):

    • Place 3-4 objects on the tray.
    • Say: "Look closely at these objects. Try to remember each one. Take a mental picture with your brain's camera!" (Allow 15-20 seconds).
    • Say: "Close your eyes tight! No peeking!"
    • While eyes are closed, discreetly remove one object.
    • Say: "Open your eyes! What's missing?"
    • Call on a student to identify the missing object. Discuss how they remembered.

  4. Subsequent Rounds (Increasing Difficulty):

    • Gradually increase the number of objects (e.g., to 5-7, then 8-10).
    • Vary the type of objects.
    • For an added challenge, occasionally swap the position of two remaining objects instead of removing one (students identify the swapped items or original positions).
    • After each round, ask students what strategies they used to remember (e.g., naming the objects, grouping them, noticing colors).

Example Object Sets:

  • Set A (Beginner): Red crayon, blue block, yellow pencil, green eraser.
  • Set B (Intermediate): Red crayon, blue block, yellow pencil, green eraser, small toy car, glue stick, scissors.
  • Set C (Advanced): Include more similar-looking items or a larger quantity.

Teacher Tips:

  • Ensure all students can clearly see the objects.
  • Encourage quiet observation during the "remember" phase.
  • If a student struggles, prompt them: "Can you name the objects you still see?" or "What color was the toy car?"
  • Praise effort and observation skills, not just correct answers. The goal is to practice the memory muscle!
  • Consider having students take turns being the "detective" or the one who removes the object.
lenny
lenny

Lesson Plan

Story Chain Challenge Lesson Plan

Students will strengthen their verbal working memory and sequential recall by collaboratively creating and repeating a story chain.

Developing narrative memory helps students follow story plots, retell events, and organize their thoughts, which are essential skills for reading comprehension and expressive language.

Audience

1st Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Through a fun, collaborative storytelling game, students will practice remembering and building upon a sequence of verbal information.

Materials

Smartboard or Projector, Story Chain Challenge Slide Deck, and Story Chain Activity Prompts (optional for initial sentence starters)

Prep

Preparation Steps

5 minutes

  • Review the Story Chain Challenge Lesson Plan and Story Chain Challenge Slide Deck.
  • Familiarize yourself with the concept of a story chain and prepare a simple starting sentence.
  • Ensure the Smartboard/projector is set up and working.

Step 1

Introduction & Hook

2 minutes

  • Greet students and congratulate them on being amazing "Memory Masters"!
  • Ask: "Do you like telling stories? What if we made a story together, but we had to remember everything that came before our part? That's our memory challenge today!"

Step 2

Explain the Story Chain Game

3 minutes

  • Explain the rules of the Story Chain Activity:
    1. The teacher starts with a simple sentence.
    2. The first student repeats the teacher's sentence and adds one new sentence.
    3. The next student repeats all the previous sentences and adds one more new sentence.
    4. This continues around the room, with each student repeating the entire growing story and adding their part.
  • Emphasize the importance of listening carefully and remembering the order of the story.

Step 3

Play Story Chain Challenge

8 minutes

  • Start the story with a simple sentence (e.g., "Once upon a time, a little blue bird flew out of its nest.").
  • Go around the room, allowing each student to add one sentence after repeating the previous parts.
  • Provide gentle reminders and support for students who forget a part: "You've got it! What did [previous student] say before your part?"
  • Keep the pace moving, and praise efforts in remembering.

Step 4

Wrap-up & Reflection

2 minutes

  • Ask: "How did you remember such a long story? What helped you?"
  • Connect this skill to remembering details when you read a book or listen to someone tell you about their day.
lenny

Slide Deck

Let's Build a Story!

Today, we're going to create a super-long story together, but there's a trick! Can your memory handle it?

Greet students. Remind them about our memory journey. Ask if they like stories. Introduce the idea of building a story together.

Your Story Notepad

• It helps you remember what happens in books.
• It helps you tell your own stories.
• It helps you recall events in order!

Explain narrative memory. "Our brain's notepad also helps us remember stories, like who did what and what happened next!"

Game Time: Story Chain!

Get ready to listen carefully and remember a whole story!

Introduce the Story Chain game. "We're going to make a story, sentence by sentence, but each person has to remember everything said before!"

How to Play the Story Chain

  1. I start with one sentence.
    2. The next person repeats my sentence, then adds their own new sentence.
    3. The next person repeats all the sentences so far, then adds their own new sentence.
    4. Keep going! The story gets longer and longer!

Explain the rules clearly. Use gestures for 'repeat' and 'add'.

Let's Start Our Story!

Once upon a time, a curious little fox went searching for adventure...

Initiate the activity. Provide the first sentence. Offer encouragement as students build the story. "Great remembering all those parts! What exciting thing happens next?"

Story Memory Reflection

• How did you remember all the parts of our story?
• Why is remembering things in order important?

Lead reflection. Ask about strategies. Connect to reading and retelling stories. "How did you keep that whole story in your brain? Why is it important to remember things in order when you read a book?"

lenny

Activity

Story Chain Activity: Build a Memory Story!

Objective: To enhance verbal working memory and sequential recall by collaboratively building a story.

Materials:

  • Your voice!
  • Optional: The Story Chain Challenge Slide Deck for visual introduction.

Instructions for Teacher:

  1. Introduction: Explain to students that they will be playing a storytelling game where they build a story together, sentence by sentence. The challenge is that each person must repeat all the previous sentences in the correct order before adding their own new sentence.

  2. Start the Story: Begin with a simple, engaging opening sentence to set the scene. Keep it short and easy to remember initially.

    • Example Starter 1: "Once upon a time, a fluffy cloud floated by."
    • Example Starter 2: "One sunny morning, a tiny ant found a giant crumb."
    • Example Starter 3: "In a magical forest, a unicorn with sparkly horn was hiding."

  3. Round Robin: Go around the classroom, inviting each student in turn to contribute.

    • Student 1: Repeats the teacher's sentence and adds one new sentence.
      • Teacher: "Once upon a time, a fluffy cloud floated by."
      • Student 1: "Once upon a time, a fluffy cloud floated by, and a little bird flew right next to it."
    • Student 2: Repeats all of the previous sentences (Teacher's + Student 1's) and then adds one new sentence.
      • Student 2: "Once upon a time, a fluffy cloud floated by, and a little bird flew right next to it. Then, the bird saw a big, juicy worm wiggling in the grass below."

  4. Continue: Keep the story going, encouraging each student to repeat the entire growing narrative before adding their part. The story will become longer and more challenging to remember with each turn.

Teacher Tips:

  • Support Memory: If a student forgets a part, gently prompt them or invite the class to silently help by whispering the forgotten part. You can also point to students in the order their sentences were added.
  • Keep it Moving: Encourage students to think of their sentence quickly to maintain engagement.
  • Praise Effort: Acknowledge the challenge of remembering and praise students for their focus and participation, regardless of how long the chain gets.
  • Visual Cues (Optional): If helpful, quickly draw simple stick figures or symbols on the board as the story progresses to visually aid memory (e.g., cloud, bird, worm).
  • End the Story: You can set a time limit or end the story when it naturally feels complete, or if the chain becomes too long for most students to follow.
  • Vary Starters: Use different types of starter sentences in future rounds or lessons to explore different narrative themes.
lenny
lenny