When: Use the Four Notes Summary technique at the end of a class period, the end of a week, the end of a unit, or after you present to your peers. This technique is useful anytime you need to synthesize ideas.

Prepare: On the board, mark four quadrants. Label each quadrant with a prompt, the first “Oooh!” another “Aaah!” the third “Hmmm…” and the fourth “Huh?” Alternatively, post signs with these four separate labels in different areas of the room. Provide every learner with a minimum of four 3 × 3 inch sticky notes.

First: Ask students to use one sticky note to jot down an idea for each of the four prompts. Names on the stickies are optional.

  • Oooh! Jot down something that was interesting
  • Aaah! Something that was an aha moment (something that really hit home for you)
  • Hmm… Something that left you wanting to know more
  • Huh? A question you have afterward

Then: Have learners walk up to the board/signs to add their sticky notes to the corresponding prompts. While there, they can read others’ sticky notes.

Join us at a teacher workshop this year—we always integrate practical pedagogy tips alongside the free curriculum.