SQ3R

So, I thought that I would share a small success story from my classroom.
I taught my students to use SQ3R for reading and remembering what they read in non-fiction texts. Today in social studies the students were reading about the Andean countries. (Ecuador, Peru, Chile, and Bolivia) First they surveyed the pages they needed to read. During the initial survey they noticed sub-headings, photos, and a map. The second step is to question. They formulated questions about the things that they noticed. The third step is to read. Then, each student recited different facts that he or she wanted to remember. Finally, the students reviewed the information.
I learned SQ3R from my dad when I was discouraged about history in junior high school. It worked for me. So, I was happy to pass along the technique to my students. I told them that it was one of the things that they will remember that I taught them. . . right up there at the top, along with the cure for hiccups!
Yes, we adopted the hiccup cure method of drinking from the opposite side of a cup. That means bending way forward, holding your nose, and taking large swallows of water with your head upside down.
Another custom in my classroom is the Happy Birthday Waltz. When a student has a birthday, the students sing "Happy Birthday" in Spanish or English. Then the student has a waltz with me while the entire class sings, "Happy birthday, happy birthday, we love you. Happy birthday and may all your dreams come true. When you blow out the candles, one light stays aglow. It's the lovelight in your eyes, where ere' you go." Then, we cut the cake and enjoy the homebaked treat given to the class to share by whomever was the secret birthday pal.
I would enjoy teaching more dances than the birthday waltz. However, I didn't have time to dig out my folkdance music when I breezed through Santa Fe in January.