Step into Mr. Morin’s math classroom at Timmins High & Vocational School at the start of most periods, and you will see a powerful routine in action. Students work through three warm-up questions, one from last month’s lesson, one from last week’s, and one from yesterday’s. This purposeful routine helps students reconnect with previous learning while giving Mr. Morin valuable insight into their understanding.
His warm-up routine applies multiple strategies from Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction:
Daily Review as a "Minds-On" Activator: Starting with yesterday's topic immediately activates prior knowledge and working memory, serving as a minds-on task that prepares students for today’s new content.
Checking for Understanding with Anecdotal Assessment: While students solve problems, Mr. Morin actively circulates, observing student work and engaging in math dialogue. He uses this ongoing anecdotal assessment to deliver real-time, individual interventions and adjust instruction if widespread misconceptions pop up.
Weekly & Monthly Review for Long-Term Memory: By regularly revisiting questions from last week and last month, Mr. Morin leverages spaced practice to transfer mathematical concepts into long-term memory.
Learning Opportunities:
Students have regular opportunities to revisit concepts and consolidate understanding. Mr. Morin uses what emerges during the warm-up to plan targeted support and respond to learning needs.
Recognition and Voice:
Students’ explanations and questions help shape instruction. By listening and responding, Mr. Morin recognizes individual needs and communicates that each student’s thinking matters.
Critical Thinking:
Students make connections between mathematical topics as they revisit learning across days, weeks and months. This helps them recognize patterns and relationships within and across strands, building a more connected understanding of mathematics.
Just 15 minutes a day of structured retrieval practice can transform student understanding, retention, and confidence in math.
Contact a Learning Coach for additional support or ideas!
