“Cut” Picture of a Sequence Strip Made From Adding Machine Tape
Draw it so you know it! As A Sequential Memory Strategy
One of my favorite phrases is “Draw it so you know it!”, and one of my favorite applications of the non-linguistic representation strategy is to use it as a sequential memory strategy. I believe this is one of the most powerful ways we can help our students remember their lessons. If we can engage more of the brain in learning we can help the lesson “stick” much more effectively.
Drawing After Reading Forces the Brain to Take Text and Make Sense of What They Read
Drawing activates parts of the brain that wouldn’t necessarily be engaged if, for example, students were just taking notes based on a lecture. Drawing ensures students immerse themselves in the material. You can’t draw a meaningful picture of what you read if you don’t first UNDERSTAND what you read! Kids don’t have to be great artists to draw – what’s important is that they try, even if it’s just with stick figures!
Drawing using adding machine tape takes the concept of “Draw it so you know it” one step further by having students create a series of drawings in a logical sequence. This sequence could be the stages in a process, a chronological account of events in a story, or the steps for solving a problem. The important part is that students are drawing items in order – so they’re not only thinking about how best to represent the steps, but putting them in the proper order.
Keeping these drawings in their organizers helps students match up the pictures with the words and provides a powerful study tool.
How to Help Kids Who Have Trouble with Sequential Learning!
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