Lesson Plan
Memory Tricks for Directions
Students will learn mnemonic devices and repetition strategies to help remember and follow directions during a 20-minute lesson.
Improving memory and following directions fosters academic success and independence in tasks.
Audience
2nd Grade Student
Time
20 minutes
Approach
Interactive teaching with hands-on practice.
Materials
Prep
Preparation
5 minutes
- Review the Memory Tricks for Directions lesson plan notes.
- Ensure the Mnemonic Practice activity is ready for demonstration.
- Set up the Repetition Strategy Log for immediate use.
- Familiarize yourself with the mnemonic devices and repetition strategies to be taught.
Step 1
Introduction and Explanation
5 minutes
- Explain the objectives of the lesson and why following directions is important.
- Introduce the concept of mnemonic devices with a simple example.
- Use simple language suitable for a 2nd-grade understanding.
Step 2
Activity - Mnemonic Practice
7 minutes
- Engage the student with the Mnemonic Practice activity.
- Guide the student to create a fun mnemonic based on a familiar sequence (e.g., days of the week).
- Encourage repetition by having the student repeat the mnemonic several times.
Step 3
Repetition and Log
3 minutes
- Introduce the concept of repetition in learning.
- Have the student use the Repetition Strategy Log to write or draw the steps of the direction task.
- Reinforce learning by having the student recite the logged steps.
Step 4
Review and Conclusion
5 minutes
- Review the mnemonic device and the importance of repetition in following directions.
- Ask the student to summarize the strategy to ensure understanding.
- Provide positive feedback and praise the student for their efforts.
Activity
Mnemonic Practice Activity
This activity is a fun and interactive way to create mnemonic devices. The goal is to help you remember a sequence or a series of directions. Follow these steps:
Instructions
- Think of a Sequence: Choose a familiar sequence, for example, the days of the week or steps in a simple task like brushing your teeth.
- Brainstorm: Write down the first letter of each word in your sequence.
- Create a Sentence: Using the letters, create a fun sentence that helps you remember the sequence. For example, if your letters are M, T, W, T, F, S, S, you could make up a sentence where each word starts with these letters.
- Practice: Repeat your mnemonic sentence out loud several times until you remember the order.
Student Work Area
Write or draw your mnemonic below:
Follow-Up Questions
- What sequence did you choose for your mnemonic?
- How does your mnemonic help you remember the order of your sequence?
- Can you think of another sequence where you might use a mnemonic?
Great job creating your mnemonic device! Feel free to practice it a few more times to commit it to memory.
Worksheet
Repetition Strategy Log
This worksheet is designed to help you remember and practice the steps of a task using repetition. Follow the instructions below and use the log to guide you!
Instructions
-
Write or Draw the Steps: Write or draw each step you need to follow for a particular task. This could be a daily routine or any set of directions you want to remember.
-
Mark Your Repetitions: After you complete a step, put a checkmark in the box next to it. Do this each time you practice the task.
-
Repeat and Practice: Go through the steps several times. The more you practice, the easier it will be to remember them!
Your Repetition Log
| Step Number | What to Do | Practice 1 | Practice 2 | Practice 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Write or draw your first step here: | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| 2 | Write or draw your second step here: | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| 3 | Write or draw your third step here: | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
| 4 | Write or draw your fourth step here: | [ ] | [ ] | [ ] |
Feel free to add more rows if needed!
Reflection
After practicing, answer these questions:
- Which step did you find the easiest to remember?
- Which step was the hardest, and how can you practice it more?
- How does repeating the steps help you remember them better?
Great job! Keep practicing and you'll remember your directions in no time!