Don't ask students what they did over the summer. Ask this instead!
How often do you start the fall semester by asking students what they did over the summer?
This fall, ask a different question: What's one thing you learned this summer?
For me, I learned the difference between lead sheets and sheet music. What's one thing you learned this summer? Let me know!
P.S. Can you help us share the science of learning? Voting for our SXSW ED panel ends this week!
Photo by Bewakoof.com Official on Unsplash
When your students walk in on the first day of class, make a simple switch!
Instead of asking, "What'd you do this summer?"
Ask "What's one thing you learned this summer?"
Why?
You'll engage students in spaced retrieval practice
You'll build relationships with a more thoughtful question
You'll spark conversation with this "retrieval warm-up"
How?
Start by sharing one thing you learned this summer
Keep it no-stakes. There is no correct or incorrect answer!
Ask students to think-pair-share
Make it an entry ticket, ready to go at students' desks
Use tech tools, like Kahoot, PollEverywhere, or FlipGrid
Ask students not one, but two things they learned this summer
Perhaps a student went camping for the first time and learned how much they love it. Or maybe a student spent time with a relative and learned a little family history. Learning happens every minute of every day – appreciate it!
Share What You Learned @RetrieveLearn
