Whiteboard Wipe off markers
Overhead of Rhyming Peg
Student practice sheet of Rhyming Peg
2 different lists each with 10 different common items
Materials
Lesson Procedure
1. Introduce the concept of semantic memory and the use of a rhyming peg system mnemonic device to increase memory and retention of facts by performing a "magic" act for the class.
Stand with your back to the whiteboard. Have one student go to the board and write a list of ten items suggested at random by other students. For example, the students might list 10 favorite foods or animals. A student might say
# 4 pizza. The students must give me a moment between items so I can take the time to attach it to my peg. Because my peg for # 4 is a door. I might visualize my peg for #4 as a door with a pizza wreath on it. The more ridiculous I can make my visual image, the easier it will be to remember.
The students continue until the list of 10 items is complete.
When the students have compiled their list, I perform my magic act by reciting them either forwards, backwards, or from random numbers called out by the students.
2. Using an overhead, I share my "magic" by displaying a template for a rhyming peg system.
A RHYMING PEG SYSTEM
one sun
two shoe
three tree
four door
five hive
six stick
seven heaven
eight gate
nine line
ten hen
3. The students work with a partner to memorize a list of 10 items in 10 minutes or less. After 10 minutes practice, the students test each other.
4. Discuss how successful everyone was! Then discuss how this strategy could be used to study vocabulary words for literature, science terms, social studies terms, etc.
5. Give the students a curriculum related vocabulary assignmentof ten words. Have them work in small groups using the Rhyming Peg Handout to create visual images to attach to their pegs.
6. Students share their small group rhyming pegs. The students are given the option to use their group's peg or make their own to prepare for a vocabulary quiz the next day
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