Purpose: Identify successful study skills strategies used to memorize information.

1. 20 Things on a Tray Purpose: Identify successful study skills strategies used to memorize information.

2. Everybody in a circle.Get out a piece of paper and something to write with.

3. Here’s how the game works: • I am going to show you a picture with 20 random items on it. • You have 2 minutes to look at the picture and memorize as many of the objects as possible. • During the 2 minute viewing time you cannot write or talk about what you see. • After the 2 minutes are up, you’ll get another 2 minutes to write down as many of the objects you can remember. • Again, no talking while you write down what you remember. • Afterwards, we will discuss what strategies we used to remember the objects.

4. How strong is your memory?Write down how many objects you think you will remember.

5. You have 2 minutes to view. No talking or writing.

7. Now you have 2 minutes to write down as many of the objects you can remember.

8. Let’s take another look at the picture to see how you did.

10. Raise your hand if you remembered as many or more objects that you predicted?Did setting a goal help you remember the objects?What purpose does it serve to set goals when you study?

11. If you didn’t reach your prediction, what would you predict next time? What difference would adjusting your prediction make?

12. Let’s talk about the strategies you all used.If I call on you, please describe the strategy you used and the effectiveness of it.

13. If I had made the rules different, such as allowing you to talk to each other while you viewed the objects or working with a partner, would it have helped?

14. Was there a certain object that was difficult for you to remember? How does this relate to learning new information in class?

15. In what other ways does this activity relate to school work?

16. Let’s try this another time. I’ve got another picture with 20 items on it. Write down how many objects you think you can remember this time.Also, think about trying another strategy that we discussed if you were unhappy with your results from the first time.

17. 2 minutes. No talking or writing.

19. 2 minutes to write down as many objects you can remember.

20. Let’s look again to see how you did.

22. Did anybody increase their prediction for round 2? Did anybody decrease their prediction?

23. Who reached their predictions? What did you do to reach your prediction?

24. What did you learn about yourself and how you remember things?

25. Did anybody try a new strategy?Did using a new strategy help you or hurt you?

26. Moment of truth:These memorization strategies we used today can help you with studying. In what ways can what we did today help you when you are at home studying for a test?

27. The key to being successful in school is finding a study strategy that works for you.It might take some time.Once you find one that works, keep using it and you will see yourself succeeding more when you study.