Before we look at how to use this tool, we first need to understand its purpose. By revisiting previously-learned material, the students are being reminded of things they have learned, things they may have forgotten, and things they should be saying and using more in the present-day classroom.

How to use previously-learned books in the present-day classroom is a totally open question but, students, kids especially, like to compete. One suggestion is, use a fast-paced scoring game that the students enjoy as this is review after all and you really want to save your time for the day’s new material. Groups score points by recalling the book and unit the “said” vocabulary comes from, as well as saying and spelling that word. The group scores extra points if an appropriate sentence can be made for the present-day level. The group scores more points if an appropriate question can be made for the level instead.

This activity can also be played to review the material in the book you are currently using. This will be played as an open-book activity. It’s a good idea to have all levels say, for example, “Unit…/ Page…” to review the words “Unit” and “Page”. Yeah! They quickly forget.