The most powerful retention strategy available to teachers is closing the lesson appropriately. This is neither a secret nor a recent revelation. Though one would be hard pressed to prove this in the field. Spend a reasonable amount of time observing classrooms and you too will discover that lessons are closed in an appropriate manner less than 1% on the time.

This bears repeating, the most power retention practice available to teachers is, essentially, never used.

Now we could discuss why this is the case, but that is a waste of time.  Instead I’m going to share with you how to fix this oversight.  The teachers that consistently close the lesson appropriately follow a simple 2-step plan.

1. Pre-plan and post the closing question for the lesson. Every lesson.

2. Use a timer. Every period.

The timer is set to chime five minutes prior to the end to the period.  When the timer goes off, the teacher has her students address/answer the closing question.  Like clockwork (note: the Fun 5 Timer I-Phone App is highly recommended).

You can recognize the 1% of teachers who do this.  They are much less stressed than all the rest of us and their students perform at higher levels (in comparison to like peers in similar classrooms).

My advice to schools and teachers: Steal the plan. Work the plan. Reap the rewards.

Think. Work. Achieve. Your turn…

• Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com!  http://tinyurl.com/Fundamental5
• Now at the Apple App Store: Fun 5 Timer (Fundamental 5 Delivery Tool); Fun 5 Plans (Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan Tool) 
• Upcoming Presentations: ASCD Annual Conference; TEPSA Summer Conference 
• Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation  and like Lead Your School on Facebook