Memory Circles
A Simple & Powerful Way To Create A Thread
I first started using memory circles when I was teaching health education. I was teaching a unit on tobacco use and wanted a fun way to teach the effects of smoking tobacco on the body. It was simple, powerful and fun for all of us. You can use this process to teach virtually anything with parts or some sort of process. Most recently I have used a memory circle to teach the basic route a red blood cell takes throughout the circulatory system, a poem targeting positive thinking, and the basics of learning. This method of instruction creates a multi-sensory experience by using procedural and reflexive memory principles and uses time the brain smart way. The learning takes place over time, giving the brain time to process and make meaning. Once introduced, challenges are added and the circle can be used as a quick, content rich way to transition from on activity to the next.
Teaching & Learning Progression
This is only one example. This method can be used with many different areas of content, habits of mind, processes, etc. You are only limited to your own imagination.
1. Make A List
Make a list of the parts you would like your students to learn in the order you would like them to learn them based on the number of students you have. For my Circulatory Circle I had 13 students but I have done this with larger groups. Number the list. Click on this link to see how I broke this down - Circulatory Circle List
2. Introduction
Cut the list into strips so each student will have one piece of paper with their part on it. After handing them out ask them to sit in order from 1 to whatever your highest number is. Then have them read their parts in order providing an overview and some instruction of unfamiliar terms. Let them ask questions and have some discussion. When I did this with the circulatory circle I spent some time talking with the kids about what they we were doing and why. I made sure the kids knew what they parts they were responsible for were and what they did. This didn't take long. Maybe about 8-10 minutes. I told them during the next class they would need to remember their number and where they were in the circle but an added challenge was to remember their part.
Make a list of the parts you would like your students to learn in the order you would like them to learn them based on the number of students you have. For my Circulatory Circle I had 13 students but I have done this with larger groups. Number the list. Click on this link to see how I broke this down - Circulatory Circle List
2. Introduction
Cut the list into strips so each student will have one piece of paper with their part on it. After handing them out ask them to sit in order from 1 to whatever your highest number is. Then have them read their parts in order providing an overview and some instruction of unfamiliar terms. Let them ask questions and have some discussion. When I did this with the circulatory circle I spent some time talking with the kids about what they we were doing and why. I made sure the kids knew what they parts they were responsible for were and what they did. This didn't take long. Maybe about 8-10 minutes. I told them during the next class they would need to remember their number and where they were in the circle but an added challenge was to remember their part.
3. Add Movement
During the next class (maybe 5 minutes) I told them whenever I called out Circulatory Circle they needed to quickly get in their order and if they needed their papers they could have them but the goal was for them to be able to remember their part without looking. I also introduced the Virtual Heart App and had them download and play with it a bit. I think it was during the 3rd class (remember this is only taking about 5-7 minutes) at the end of class I called a Circulatory Circle as part of class closure and told them that for the next class they each needed to add a movement to their part and the movement they chose needed to in some way give a clue or represent each individual part. So when the next class rolled around some of the kids had thought of great movements and some needed a little help to "get it." which was fine. Someone had a creative idea to help them out.
During the next class (maybe 5 minutes) I told them whenever I called out Circulatory Circle they needed to quickly get in their order and if they needed their papers they could have them but the goal was for them to be able to remember their part without looking. I also introduced the Virtual Heart App and had them download and play with it a bit. I think it was during the 3rd class (remember this is only taking about 5-7 minutes) at the end of class I called a Circulatory Circle as part of class closure and told them that for the next class they each needed to add a movement to their part and the movement they chose needed to in some way give a clue or represent each individual part. So when the next class rolled around some of the kids had thought of great movements and some needed a little help to "get it." which was fine. Someone had a creative idea to help them out.
4. Just Use It
So from there I used it for a quick transition or closure. Eventually everyone knew their part and it moved very quickly. So I added the challenge "Who wants to try the whole thing by themselves?" Because by using this process all of them were learning the whole process not just their part. And I was amazed to see the hands go up. Everyone wanted to give it a go. I would have a few kids try it each time and if they got stuck on the way around the circle they would use the movement as a clue or they could ask the person to help them out. No pressure.
5. Does It Really Work?
Yes. when the time was right and everyone had demonstrated the ability to go around the circle verbally using the movements as a crutch I gave them two options. They could either quiz themselves on paper and stay at the circle or they could take their i-pad to a private space and verbally recite the sequence.
6. LTP - Long Term Potentiation
I did this activity during the second trimester. On the very last day of school (one full trimester later) I called Circulatory Circle with one of my classes. Guess what? They not only knew the order of the circle and all of their individual parts but they could also do the whole sequence. The link below provides the video I took on that last day of school.
Virtual Heart App |
Memory Circles In ActionClick the title above and it will take you to pages where you can see a variety of different memory circles in action.
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Poems For Brain & Body Smart LearningEmbedding content in a memory circle is a powerful, time efficient teaching tool. Poems and rhymes make it engaging and fun for students. Poems for Brain & Body Smart Learning In Physical Education provide physical educators with a variety of rhymes, poems and ideas for using them.
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