Note to a Friend

Note to a Friend is a strategy to increase depth of understanding of concepts and skills through writing. Research clearly shows people learn information better and train it longer when they describe or explain it to someone else. This strategy has the students doing exactly that through "writing a note to a fictitious friend."

You will find this strategy on page 351 in your BIG Peak Book. Be sure to read over the Quick PEAK to get an overview of how this strategy can be used in your classroom.

Ask the students to pretend that a friend has been absent and you need them to write a letter to that student explaining what has been learned during a certain lesson or subject. Encourage them to include the important concepts taught.

(Share the video below for students who may struggle with writing a friendly letter.)

Have students share their letters with others in the class to check for clarity and errors.

After reviewing the strategy, try it out in your classroom and post a picture to this board. Remember, the more strategies you try, the more chances you have at a PRIZE!!!!!!