End the lesson at the door: each child answers one question about the lesson before leaving. With very young learners it became an anticipated, favourite routine.
Question stems by level
- “Tell me one thing / one word / two words from today.”
- “What can you see in this flashcard?”
- “How do you say … in English?”
- “What did you like / learn today?”
- Older learners: written 3-2-1, one open question, or a one-sentence summary.
Limits
One turn per child; time cost in big classes; no outcome data.
Apply in my context (Claude)
- For 2-A (Starters) and 3-A (Movers): it’s a 2-minute retrieval check on every child. Make the question about last lesson’s language once a week to add spacing. It’s also an ideal low-stakes Tanga moment, with a descriptive rather than evaluative comment.
Connections
Spaced retrieval is the best-supported technique · Familiarity is not mastery - retrieve, explain, contrast, transfer · Learning to learn starts in primary