singing the curriculum Archives - Susan Fitzell

Mnemonics: Six Songs to Ace the Test!

Susan Fitzell, M.Ed., CSP — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 23:18:04 +0000

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Umm… Study? What’s That? Order Today!

I recently presented a workshop in Schnecksville, PA. The participants’ challenge was to create a song to help students memorize test taking strategies and Ace the test!. They all did such a wonderful job with their rhymes, songs and mnemonics that I wanted to share them with all of you. The memorization & test taking strategies they’ve included are from the book, Umm… Studying? What’s that? By Shivahn Fitzell

The following rhyme explains how to approach multiple choice questions on a standardized test:

First do the easy.

Then do the tough.

Quickly guess the difficult stuff.

Focus on multiple choice, they say later come back to do the essay.

Cross out answers that don’t make sense.

You’ll be done in no time, w/out being tense.

Watch your time and you’ll be fine.

Easy first, then the worst.

Guess the rest try your best.

Multi-choice then your voice.

Please don’t shirk, check you work.

Easy

Difficult

Guess

Multiple choice

Essay

Cross out wrong

Starring: Donna Barone, Tammy Weaver, Carissa Capwell, Kathleen Teay, Brent Herzog.

To the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star….

Calculate the time you need.

If you do you will succeed.

Easy questions first, they say

Difficult next is the best way

Multiple choice before essay

Guess the rest and end your day.

W=whisper

C=chunk

P=paraphrase

D= draw it

S=snapshot

M= mnemonic

Time (draw a clock)

Easy EZ

Difficult E=Mc2

Guess ????

Multiple choice ABCD

Cross out XXXX

To the tune of Frere Jacques….

Calculate time, calculate time

Easy first, easy first

Do the harder questions next

At the very end just guess

Then you’re done, have some fun!

Time for testing, time for testing

Easy first, easy first

Then we do the hard ones

Quickly guess the others

Then cross out, then cross out

How to manage time. To the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat…

Try the easy questions first

Don’t waste too much time

Spend more time on harder ones

And you will do fine

Save the essay for the last

You can make it fun

List ideas before you start

Write a sentence for each one.

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How can I Present History Effectively?

Susan Fitzell, M.Ed., CSP — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:54:21 +0000

Processing Long Information History Chapters!

Susan Streetman, Nederland HS writes, in history, some chapters are long and packed with information. Sometimes I think – how can I present this effectively? It’s too much! So, on colorful large index cards, I write quippy versions of the chapter’s subtopics. (using the exact subtopic would be too easy). Kids can confer during the game.

The Quippy History Game

Materials Needed

Then, also in my own words, I use small white index cards to write the main points under the subtopic. I try to make them humorous. I tell students a tough game is coming and tell them to be prepared. On the day of the game, I use music, a timer and a box. Student materials are the answers all mixed up, a handout with the quippy subtopics and lines denoting the number of items.

How to play the ‘game’

I begin with 3 minutes on the clock. I deal white cards after placing colored cards around the room while the time clicks off. I play music and students have to run around and deal information cards to match the correct heading. We check for the correct matches, put the wrong matches in the box, set timer for 2 minutes and re-deal. They love it and end up with a chapter review. They move around but must be in chair when the timer goes off.

The Summary Race

Cut up summaries to chapters, put students in groups. They race to be first (for a privilege) to descramble and paste the summary together accurately.

Fishing game.

Box decorated to look like ocean, a Scooby Doo fishing pole with a magnet instead of a hook. Paperboard fish with paperclips through eye-holes in ocean. Students compete in pairs to answer questions using magic slates. When correct, blind folded and go fishing. Number of fish lead to a privilege prize.

A Strategy using Videos to Cover History Topics

When I show films, I give out film sheets with different questions on them and 5 lines at the bottom. After the film clip, they must find 5 people with facts different to theirs that they place on their lines. These are shared and used for extra credit.

Groups Idea

Pick an explorer. Research his exploits. Make a poster. Use a clever title like “ Do you have any Ponce de Leon?” (students did that)! The poster must include; a time line, pictures of accomplishments, a map of his trek/s, and at least one navigational tool known at the time.

Give student groups transparencies

Group assignments are placed on them. They present and they are there for all to see. For example, we play, “Constitution Idol” ; student groups must present in any format the 27 amendments to the constitution DVDs, CDs, live. They can take liberties with words. They are an absolute riot. Everything from Barney to rap, Travis Tritt, Chumbawumba,. They are so great. Wear red, while, blue on awards day – for cookie or cake and photo for newspaper. They decide the winner. They all learn the amendments.

Susan Streetman
Nederland HS

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