Don't ask students what they did over the break. Ask this instead!
/By Pooja K. Agarwal, Ph.D.
How often do you start the school year or semester by asking students what they did over the summer or winter break?
This time, ask a different question: What's one thing you learned during the break?
Recently, I learned the difference between lead sheets and sheet music. What's one thing you learned this break? Let me know!
What's one thing you learned this break?
When your students walk in on the first day of the school year or semester, make a simple switch!
Instead of asking, "What'd you do this summer/winter break?"
Ask "What's one thing you learned this summer/winter break?"
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 (don’t skip the think step)
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 during the break
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 about their family history. Learning happens every minute of every day, even during school breaks – appreciate it and retrieve it!
