Using Brain Dumps

Brain Dump Strategy

I’ve seen several teachers use brain dumps and they’ve been used for a variety of purposes from an activation strategy to a pre-assessment to a mid-lesson retrieval  to a wrap up activity. Also called “free recall” it is backed by cognitive research. 

How’s it work: Students are given a topic and are given several minutes to write down all they know about the topic without using any resources. As a second optional step: students can then work with a partner to share or add to their lists or they can be allowed to reference their notes or other resources.

  • Be specific with your prompt. 
  • Set a time limit. 

Why it works: 

  1. All students are actively engaged. 
  2. It’s a low stakes learning strategy that enables students to see where they are in relation to the learning target and criteria. 
  3. Retrieval practice activities such as brain dumps helps students cognitively organize their learning. 

Announcements 

Elementary

Monday: https://youtu.be/l7zhLs-f1ZU (It’s toooooo long, sorry) 

Tuesday https://youtu.be/muz4xJqouXw 

Wednesday https://youtu.be/OJIBCqOZ6z0 

Thursday https://youtu.be/RmYs8oWnoyk 

Friday https://youtu.be/q0Cb6z79L3A 

 

Secondary 

Monday https://youtu.be/9PqVlKNNorM 

Tuesday https://youtu.be/pgp97NT8k-4 

Wednesday https://youtu.be/hu4bwMIGJCA 

Thursday https://youtu.be/gLX0e_zddl8 

Friday https://youtu.be/v-3BfszhPLE Opportunity for a pause and students solving tribond together 

 

Mindful Message 

Message

Prompt/Questions 

Monday

Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow

~Swedish proverb

When you’re worried about something, how do you overcome your fears? 

 

Can you think of a time when you were worried about something and that caused you to be anxious, nervous? 

Tuesday

Don’t try to rush things that need time to grow. 

We often put a lot of pressure on ourselves to get things done fast. Why is this sometimes bad? 

 

Slow and steady wins the race. 

Wednesday

There is always music playing in your heart. Sometimes life gets too loud and it’s hard to hear it. Listen closely. It’s there. 

~Melanie Korach 

What does this quote mean to you? 

 

When does your life get too loud? 

 

How do you make sure to listen to the music? 

Thursday

Give yourself confidence and tell yourself how great you are. 

What are you most proud of about yourself? 

Friday 

Every day you wake up you have one job; to be better than yesterday. 

Why is this a good goal? 

 

Why is it important to reflect on yesterday and improve for today? 

 

Secondary Information 

office hours spreadsheet

  • Please have students check office hour assignments on Monday during 1st period
  • Please mark ABSENT students on the spreadsheet. There was some confusion around this with some marking those who were present and some marking those who were absent. 

Calendar and Testing Dates

SOL Testing Letter Template that was emailed to students/families and Student List of Who Needs to Take

 

Elementary Information 

Students of Concern Next Year I will be sharing this soon with elementary principals. Thank you for your time on this. 

 

Report Cards will be made available online to students/families on Monday. Thank you! 

  • PALS Date window- May 9th- 20th
  • Kindergarten only- The VKRP window for EMAS is open. All tests must be completed May 20. 
  • 3-5 Panorama Survey should be completed by Tuesday
  • 5th Grade ONLY
    • Please remember by the end of the year, you will have scored 5 pieces of writing for your students. Student writing samples must be scored using the holistic Grade 5 Writing Scoring Rubric. These scores will be sent home to families at the end of the year. Scores should live in Illuminate. Please reach out if you need help finding the correct writing container. 
    • Pieces of writing: Persuasive, Personal Narrative, Fiction, Expository, Research                     
    • NOTE: The rock cycle (ELA/SCI)writing piece that was shared last year is optional. It was intended to help teachers not have to assess the rock cycle AND expository/research writing samples separately. You are welcome to still use, but do not have to

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