Repetition Power Slides Memory Lab Academy
Lesson 1: The Power of Repetition
Entry Level: Lab Recruit
The Telephone Problem
When we hear a message once and just "hope" we remember it, something happens...
Memory Decay
Information starts to fade away almost immediately.
The Mix-Up
Our brains might fill in the gaps with the wrong info!
🤫 ➡️ 👂 ➡️ ❓
"Let's test this with a game of Telephone!"
Strategy: The Echo
To keep information "alive" in your head, you must use...
Verbal Rehearsal
1. Listen
Wait until the whole instruction is done.
2. Echo
Immediately say it back out loud.
3. Lock
Your brain now knows it's important!
Lab Practice: Echo Ears
? The 3-Step Challenge
I will say a 3-part instruction.
YOU echo it back to your partner.
THEN, you carry out the steps in your notebook.
"Get your backpacks, put them on the hook, and sit on the rug."
"Pick up your pencil, write your name, and circle the date."
Lab Debrief
Why was it easier to remember the steps when we said them back?
"When we say it, we hear it twice. Our voice helps 'write' the information into our brain's notepad."
Next Lab: The Power of Whispering
Repetition Games Guide Repetition Games Guide
Memory Lab Academy: Lesson 1 Facilitation
Instructional Purpose
The primary goal of this lesson is to demonstrate that auditory information is fleeting. Students will learn that **immediate verbal repetition** (the "Echo") acts as a bridge, moving information from the sensory register to working memory where it can be processed and used.
Activity 1: The Broken Telephone
Setup:
Divide the class into lines of 6–8 students. Whisper a specific, 3-part instruction to the first student in each line.
Target Phrase: "Put the purple folder in the blue bin, then grab two pencils and stand by the door."
The Twist:
In the first round, students may only whisper the message **once** to the next person. In the second round, the receiver must **echo it back** to the sender before whispering it to the next person.
Discussion Prompt: "Which round had more accurate messages at the end? Why did repeating it back help the sender and the receiver?"
Activity 2: The Echo Challenge
Use these specific instructions to test the "Echo" strategy with the whole group.
1
"Draw a large square, put a small circle inside it, and color the circle yellow."
2
"Clap your hands three times, touch your toes, and then point to the ceiling."
3
"Find a word that starts with B, write it in the corner of your page, and circle the last letter."
Teacher Tips for Success
For Struggling Students:
Reduce instructions to 1 or 2 parts.
Provide a visual cue card with the "Echo" icon.
For Advanced Students:
Increase to 4 or 5-part instructions.
Add a "distractor" task in between (e.g., "Count to 5, THEN repeat it back").
Echo Ears Worksheet Echo Ears Practice
Memory Lab Academy: Lab Report #1
Name:
Date:
The Mission
Use the Echo Strategy to keep instructions alive in your brain! Listen to the whole message, then repeat it back to your partner before you start.
1 Telephone Test
Round 1: No Echoing
How did the message change at the end?
Round 2: With Echoing
How did the message change at the end?
2 Echo Challenge Checklist
Listen to your teacher's 3-part instructions. Check the box if you successfully echoed AND followed the steps!
✓
Challenge 1
Draw, Circle, Color
✓
Challenge 2
Clap, Touch, Point
✓
Challenge 3
Find, Write, Circle
Lab Conclusion
When I repeat instructions out loud, my brain feels...
Strategy Rating:
Whisper Builders Slides Memory Lab Academy
Lesson 2: Self-Talk & Whispering
Entry Level: Whisper Builder
Why Talk to Yourself?
Sometimes, a task has so many steps our brains get "clogged."
Talking out loud acts like a roadmap for your brain.
It helps you stay on track and not get lost in the steps.
Pro Tip!
"Your voice is your
The Whisper Method
How to do it:
Say what you are doing right now.
Say what you will do next.
Keep your voice at a "Level 1" whisper.
Example: Building a Tower
"Okay, first I pick up the red block..."
"Now I put it on top of the blue one..."
"Steady... now I need a small yellow piece..."
Lab Challenge: Whisper Builders
1
The Plan
Look at the build card for 10 seconds.
2
The Whisper
Whisper every single move you make out loud.
3
The Result
Did your building match the card exactly?
Remember: If your voice stops, your building stops!
Mastery Check
"Talking to myself helped me stay focused because..."
"When it got hard, my own voice reminded me what to do next. I didn't have to look back at the instructions as much!"
Next Lab: Mnemonic Magic
Whisper Observation Guide Whisper Observation Guide
Memory Lab Academy: Lesson 2 Facilitation
Self-Talk Strategy
Self-talk (or "private speech") is a critical developmental step in internalizing executive function. By narrating their actions, students create an auditory feedback loop that maintains the goal in working memory while they execute the motor steps.
Activity Setup
Materials Needed:
Lego bricks, pattern blocks, or drawing prompts. Simple design cards (e.g., "3 blue blocks in a row with 1 red on top").
Teacher Modeling:
"Watch me build. I'm going to whisper every move. 'Okay, I need a long yellow piece. Now it goes on the left. Next, I'll find a square...'"
Student Observation Checklist
Student Name Consistent Whisper? Describes Steps? Correction used? ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Coaching Cues
If they stop talking:
"I don't hear your Assistant Director! What is your hand doing right now?"
If they get stuck:
"Use your whisper to find the next step. 'Next, I need to...'"
Debriefing Questions
• "How did whispering what you were doing help you build faster?"
• "Did anyone notice that their voice helped them fix a mistake?"
• "When else could you use this strategy? (e.g., getting dressed, cleaning room, math problems)"
Build and Whisper Worksheet Build & Whisper Challenge
Memory Lab Academy: Lab Report #2
Name:
The Mission: Whisper Guiding
Your task is to build a complex shape. You must **whisper every step** you take out loud. If you stop whispering, you must stop building!
Sketch Your Build
Draw what you built while whispering.
Whisper Tracker
What were 3 things your "Assistant Director" (your voice) told you to do?
How did it go?
I remembered every step:
Yes
Mostly
Whispering helped me:
Yes
Mostly
Memory Lab Reflection
When a task is hard or has many steps, why is whispering a good idea?
Mnemonic Magic Slides Memory Lab Academy
Lesson 3: Mnemonic Magic
Entry Level: Memory Maker
What is a Mnemonic?
A mnemonic (neh-mon-ik) is a "brain shortcut."
It's a way to squeeze a BIG list of information into one SMALL word or phrase.
Information Compression
Less to remember = happier brain!
Famous Examples:
ROY G. BIV
(Colors of the Rainbow)
"Never Eat Soggy Waffles"
(North, East, South, West)
The Acronym Trick
How to build one:
1. List the steps.
2. Take the first letter of each.
3. Make a new word!
"If the letters don't make a word, make a silly sentence instead!"
Lab Procedure: SLANT
Sit up straight
Listen carefully
Ask & Answer
Nod your head
Track the speaker
Lab Workshop: Memory Makers
In your Lab Teams, create a mnemonic for getting ready for lunch.
🧼
Wash Hands
🍱
Get Lunchbox
🚶
Stand in Line
🤫
Quiet Mouth
"What's your Memory Word? Is it W-G-S-Q? How can we make it easier?"
Mastery Check
"Mnemonics help my working memory because..."
"I only have to hold onto ONE word instead of FOUR different things. It clears up space in my brain to do the actual task!"
Next Lab: Rhythm & Rhyme
Mnemonic Workshop Guide Classroom Mnemonic Guide
Memory Lab Academy: Lesson 3 Facilitation
Chunking & Compression
Working memory has a limited capacity (often cited as 3-5 "chunks" for children). Mnemonics allow students to **chunk** multiple related items into a single unit. This effectively increases their functional working memory capacity, allowing them to hold complex routines in mind while focusing on the execution.
Target Routines for Workshop
Assign one of these classroom routines to each student team to create a mnemonic for:
A. Getting Ready for Math
1. Clear Desk
2. Get Notebook
3. Sharpen Pencil
4. Sit at Rug
B. End of Day Pack Up
1. Stack Chair
2. Check Floor
3. Pack Folder
4. Line Up
C. Writing Workshop Start
1. Date Page
2. Pick Topic
3. Check Word Wall
4. Write First Word
D. Recess Entry
1. Shoes On
2. Coat Zipped
3. Pocket Check
4. Hand Check
Coaching the "Magic"
Step 1
The Letter Hunt: "Look at your list. Circle the first letter of every verb. What do you have? C-G-S-S? M-P-L-S?"
Step 2
The Word Match: "Can you rearrange the steps to make a word? Or can you think of a silly sentence? Like 'Cats Get Super Small'?"
Step 3
The Memory Check: "Now say just the mnemonic word/sentence 3 times. Can you still tell me all 4 steps? If yes, the magic worked!"
Differentiation Strategies
Simplified
Provide the acronym word (e.g., "FAST") and have the student match existing steps to the letters.
Enriched
Challenge students to create a "Nested Mnemonic" where each step also contains a memory trick.
Memory Makers Worksheet Memory Makers Workshop
Memory Lab Academy: Lab Report #3
Team:
The Mission: Information Compression
Take a long classroom routine and turn it into a **one-word secret code** or a **silly sentence**. Your brain will only have to remember one thing instead of four!
1 The Routine Steps
Write down the 4 steps of your routine.
1
2
3
4
2 The Letter Hunt
Circle the first letter of each step. Write them here:
Try rearranging them to make a word!
Our Memory Magic
"Our mnemonic is a: [ ] Word [ ] Silly Sentence"
The Lab Test
Share your mnemonic with another team. Could they guess your routine?
Pass
Retry
Beat the Memory Slides Memory Lab Academy
Lesson 4: Rhythm & Rhyme
Entry Level: Beat Maker
The Power of Sound
Why is it easy to remember song lyrics but hard to remember a list of rules?
Rhythm creates a pattern that our brains love to follow.
Rhyme helps us predict what word comes next.
🎶 🧠 ⚡
"When we chant to a beat, we 'hook' the memory to the music!"
The Memory Chant
Try This Chant:
"Check your name," (Clap-Clap)
"Check the date," (Clap-Clap)
"Turn it in," (Clap-Clap)
"It's gonna be GREAT!" (Stamp-Stamp)
Can you feel how the rhythm keeps the steps in order?
Lab: The Routine Rap
How to create your Rap:
1
Pick a 3-step school job.
2
Find words that sound alike (Rhyme!).
3
Add a snap or a clap for the beat.
4
Perform it for the Lab Lead!
"Need a beat?
Mastery Check
"Rhythm and rhyme help me remember because..."
"The steps become like a song. I don't have to work as hard to remember what comes next because the beat tells me!"
Final Lab: The Inside Announcer
Rhythmic Routine Cards Guide Rhythmic Routine Cards
Memory Lab Academy: Lesson 4 Instructional Resource
The Auditory Loop
Music and rhythm engage both hemispheres of the brain. When we attach a routine to a beat, we are providing a "metronome" for working memory. This helps students internalize the sequence and timing of multi-step academic and behavioral tasks.
The Writing Check
"Cap on top," (Snap)
"Space in the middle," (Snap)
"Punctuation mark," (Snap)
"Solve the riddle!" (Clap)
Routine: Editing a sentence
The Reading Bridge
"Sound it out," (Stomp)
"Blend it fast," (Stomp)
"Read the sentence," (Stomp)
"Make it last!" (Clap-Clap)
Routine: Decoding words
The Pack-Up Beat
"Clean the floor," (Clap)
"Zip the door," (Clap)
"Push the chair," (Clap)
"Ready for more!" (Stamp)
Routine: Classroom exit
Math Lab Flow
"Read the question," (Pat knees)
"Circle the sign," (Pat knees)
"Show your work," (Pat knees)
"On the line!" (Hands up)
Routine: Word problems
Facilitation Strategies
Tempo Training:
Start the chant very slowly with exaggerated body movements. Gradually increase the speed until the routine can be chanted at a normal speaking pace.
Fading the Beat:
Once the routine is learned, remove the claps/stomps but keep the rhythm of the speech. Finally, transition to whispering the chant while working.
The Memory Rap Worksheet The Memory Rap
Memory Lab Academy: Lab Report #4
Artist Name:
The Mission: Beat Maker
Choose a routine that is hard to remember. Add a **beat** and a **rhyme** to turn it into a Memory Rap!
1 The Problem Routine
What routine do you always forget the steps for?
Example: Getting ready for morning work...
2 Write Your Lyrics
Line 1: ________________________
Beat: Clap
Line 2 (Rhymes with 1): ________________
Beat: Clap
Line 3: ________________________
Beat: Stomp
Line 4 (Rhymes with 3): ________________
Beat: Stomp
Tip: Use 2-syllable words!
Practice Session
Can you say it 3 times without looking?
1
2
3
Drop the Mic!
Perform your rap for a partner.
Inside Announcer Slides Memory Lab Academy
Final Lesson: The Inside Announcer
Master Level: Inner Strategist
The Secret Weapon
You've learned to echo, whisper, and chant.
Now, you will move your voice inside.
This is called "Inner Speech." It's your brain's most powerful tool.
Meet Your:
Inside Announcer
Silent. Fast. Always there.
How to Use Your Announcer
Silent Speech
"Move your tongue, but make NO sound."
Mental Echo
"Hear the instructions in your head twice."
Self-Check
"Ask yourself silently: 'What's my next step?'"
"Your Inside Announcer is your personal coach that nobody else can hear!"
Lab: Freeze Frame!
The Challenge:
You will work on a complex worksheet in total silence. I will shout "FREEZE!" at random times.
The Capture:
When you freeze, you must write down EXACTLY what your Inside Announcer was saying at that moment.
The Ghost Voice Lab
Graduation
You are now a Master of Verbal Rehearsal. Use your voices—out loud, whispered, or inside—to conquer any challenge!
Memory Lab Academy Certified
Freeze Frame Facilitation Guide Freeze Frame Guide
Memory Lab Academy: Lesson 5 Facilitation
Internalization & Metacognition
The final stage of verbal rehearsal is **inner speech**. This lesson uses "Freeze Frame" moments to help students become aware of their own internal narration. By making the implicit explicit, we reinforce the habit of using an "Inside Announcer" to monitor task progress and hold information active without external noise.
Activity: The Silent Lab
1. The Task
Provide students with a multi-step task that requires sustained attention (e.g., a complex logic puzzle, a multi-step math worksheet, or a detailed drawing assignment). Instruct them to work in total silence .
2. The "Freeze"
At 3 random intervals (e.g., after 2 minutes, 5 minutes, and 8 minutes), shout "FREEZE!". Students must stop immediately and put their hands on their heads.
3. The Report
Ask: "What was your Inside Announcer just saying?" Students record their "frozen" thoughts on their lab report.
Coaching the Announcer
If a student says "Nothing":
Encourage them to check their tongue. "Was your tongue moving? Sometimes the announcer is so fast it feels like nothing. Try to slow it down next time so you can hear the steps."
If the thoughts were unrelated:
"It's okay! Our announcers like to wander. Use your 'Memory Rap' beat or 'Whisper' habit to bring the announcer back to the task."
Assessing Strategy Mastery
• Observable Strategy Use: Look for students whispering to themselves during tests or following multi-step directions.
• Self-Correction: Notice if students pause and use "the Echo" or "the Rap" when they realize they've forgotten a step.
• Extended Focus: Compare task persistence times before and after the sequence.
Inside Voice Lab Report Worksheet Inside Voice Lab Report
Memory Lab Academy: Lab Report #5
Master Name:
The Mission: Freeze Frame
Work in total silence. When you hear the "FREEZE!" command, write down the exact words your Inside Announcer was saying.
1
Frozen Thought Log #1
"When the teacher shouted FREEZE, I was thinking..."
2
Frozen Thought Log #2
"My Inside Announcer was telling me..."
3
Frozen Thought Log #3
"Right now, my brain is focused on..."
Memory Lab Graduation
"I have mastered the 4 powers of memory..."
Echo
Whisper
Mnemonic
Inside
Which memory power is your favorite? Why? 
