If you’ve taught for any length of time, you know that reviewing tough US History TEKS/topics is critical for student success on STAAR. You can teach the heck out of a tough topic in September, but by the test in April, the memory of those lessons are long gone. Reviewing the tough topics is critical. Here are my ideas for teaching the tough TEKS.
First things first . . . . don’t let up on the tough or "prickly" TEKS!
What do I mean by that? Review those TEKS that are hard to remember often and with intention. Initiative, referendum & recall anyone? If you know, you know. Here are a few suggestions.
1.Interrupting Cow: Are you familiar with the knock knock joke? It goes something like this.
It’s a silly joke, but illustrates how we, as teachers, can insert a quick review in the middle of a lesson. Varying how you do this is key to keeping students on their toes and engaged!
Ideas for interrupting cow?
- Throw it randomly into your lesson! Have students “turn and talk” to answer your question.
- Play a quick 5-minute game of Give a Clue. I have students stand up, pair up and give clues to get their partner answer the terms on my screen. It’s quick and easy with NO PREP.
- Bell Ringer or exit ticket: Throw an old STAAR question up on the screen. No need to reinvent the wheel. The key is to keep the content fresh in their brains.
Cause and Effect Reviews
It’s one thing to know the definition, but when students understand the causes and effects of the hard TEKS, they understand them at a deeper level. Making cause and effects a “hands on” activity increases the engagement. Anytime we can get students talking about vocabulary academically, it’s a good thing!
I always suggest running off activities like this on different colored paper or card stock. When students drop a card on the floor you will know which baggie to put them back in. Once you prep it, you can use it over and over.
Ball Toss Reviews
The next time you are at the dollar store, grab some buckets or trash cans. Also grab some large dice or balls. Label your balls/dice with the “tough topics” – I just write on post its and secure them with packing tape. Label your buckets with the “ERAS” of US History.
When you need a quick break or interrupting cow review, place the ERA buckets around the room and toss the “topic dice” around to students. Have them toss the topic into the era.
It’s a quick hands on way to think a little differently about the tough topics. By having students identify/toss into eras, they are moving from “can you remember the topic” to what era does it belong in. Kids love it and it’s great for a quick formative assessment!
Don't forget memory tricks!
Never underestimate the power of a good mnemonic. I’ve listed the ones I use with my students in the download link at the bottom of this post. The important part is REPEATING those phrases over and over to help students remember. Once or twice is not enough!
To sum it all up . . .
The more we review the tough topics, the better memory our students will have. It starts with intention. If we don’t PLAN it into our lessons, it won’t happen. Be intentional and review, review, review! Good luck!
As promised, here is the link to all of the activities we used in our session at TCSS. As always, thanks for coming! Reach out if you have any questions!
Affiliate links may be used in this post.
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