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The Brain's Sticky Notes

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Lesson Plan

Working Memory Metacognition Lesson

Students will be able to define working memory and identify strategies to support it in their learning.

Understanding how working memory functions empowers students to develop effective learning strategies and better retain information, leading to improved academic performance and confidence.

Audience

3rd Grade Students

Time

40 minutes

Approach

Through engaging analogies, interactive slides, and collaborative sharing, students will explore the concept of working memory and practical strategies for its enhancement.

Materials

Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, Your Brain's Notepad Tour Slide Deck, Sharing Memory Tricks Discussion Guide, and My Memory Strategies Log Journal

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: The Brain's Sticky Notes

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students what they know about memory. (Think-Pair-Share)
  • Introduce the concept of 'working memory' using the analogy of a brain's sticky notes or a temporary notepad.
  • "Today, we're going to learn about a super cool part of our brain called working memory, which is like your brain's own set of sticky notes!"

Step 2

Exploring Working Memory

15 minutes

  • Present the Your Brain's Notepad Tour Slide Deck to explain working memory.
  • Facilitate discussion on each slide, asking questions to check for understanding and relate to student experiences.
  • Emphasize that working memory helps us hold onto information temporarily to use it for tasks like solving a math problem or following directions.

Step 3

Sharing Memory Tricks

10 minutes

  • Transition to the Sharing Memory Tricks Discussion Guide.
  • Divide students into small groups to discuss their own strategies for remembering things.
  • Encourage them to think about how they remember phone numbers, grocery lists, or instructions for a game.

Step 4

My Memory Strategies Log

8 minutes

  • Introduce the My Memory Strategies Log Journal.
  • Explain that this journal is where they can write down and track the different memory strategies they learn and use.
  • Ask students to write down one new strategy they learned or thought of today. (e.g., repeating things aloud, breaking tasks into smaller steps).

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Reflection

2 minutes

  • Briefly recap the importance of working memory and having strategies.
  • Ask students to share one key takeaway from the lesson.
  • "Remember, your brain's sticky notes are powerful! The more tricks you have to use them, the better learner you'll become!"
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Slide Deck

Your Brain's Notepad Tour

Ever wonder how your brain keeps track of things for a little while? Let's take a tour of your brain's amazing notepad!

Welcome students and introduce the concept of working memory using the 'sticky notes' or 'notepad' analogy. Ask them what they know about memory in general.

What's Working Memory?

Imagine your brain has a special set of sticky notes or a small notepad.

Working memory is like this notepad! It's where your brain holds on to information just for a little while so you can use it right now.

Explain working memory as a temporary space for information. Use the sticky note visual.

Why Is It Important?

Your working memory helps you:

  • Remember the steps to tie your shoes
  • Follow a two-step direction from your teacher
  • Solve a math problem in your head
  • Understand a sentence as you read it

It's super important for learning and doing everyday tasks!

Give simple examples relevant to 3rd graders. Ask them for their own examples.

Let's Practice: Directions!

Imagine your teacher says: "First, put your pencil down, then open your book to page 10."

Your working memory holds both parts of that direction so you can do them in order!

Provide a concrete scenario and discuss how working memory is used.

Think About a Puzzle!

When you're building a LEGO tower, your working memory helps you remember which piece comes next or what the finished picture should look like.

Another example with a visual idea. Ask students to visualize this.

Supercharge Your Notepad!

Good news! We can learn tricks to make our brain's sticky notes even stickier!

This helps us remember more and learn better!

Introduce the idea that we can help our working memory.

What Are Your Tricks?

Do you already have special ways to remember things?

Think about what you do when you need to remember something important.

Prompt students to think about what they already do.

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Discussion

Sharing Memory Tricks: Boost Your Brainpower!

Introduction (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Alright brain-builders! We just learned about our amazing working memory, our brain's sticky notes. Now, let's become memory detectives and share our own secret tricks for remembering things!"

  • Question for the class: "Who can quickly remind us what working memory is in your own words?" (Allow a few students to share)

Small Group Discussion (10 minutes)

  • Instructions: "I'm going to put you into small groups. In your group, you'll talk about how you remember different kinds of information. Be ready to share one cool trick your group discussed!"

  • Group Prompts:

    • How do you remember a new phone number or a friend's address?


    • What do you do when your teacher gives you several instructions at once?


    • Do you have a special way to remember what to bring to school or what homework you have?


    • Share one trick that helps your brain hold onto information when you're learning something new.


Whole Class Share Out (5 minutes)

  • Instructions: "Now, let's hear from each group! What was one interesting memory trick your group discussed?"

  • Teacher: "Let's make a list of these amazing memory tricks on the board!"

    • Facilitate a brief whole-class sharing session, writing down student suggestions on the board or chart paper.
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Journal

My Memory Strategies Log

My Brain's Notepad: Working Memory

Remember, your working memory is like your brain's temporary sticky notes! It helps you hold onto information so you can use it right now. The more strategies you have, the better your brain's notepad works!

Today's Memory Strategy!

What is one new memory trick or strategy you learned or thought about today that you want to try?












How I Used My Memory Strategy

Describe a time when you used a memory strategy this week. What were you trying to remember, and how did your strategy help you?












My Favorite Memory Trick

What is your favorite memory trick to use when you need to remember something important? Why is it your favorite?












New Ideas for My Brain's Notepad

What are some other ways you could try to make your brain's sticky notes even stronger? (Think about things like drawing pictures, singing a song, or making a rhyme!)












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