Acronyms might seem cheesy at upper levels…but they do work at locking away information in your memory. Just take a look at this:
Blasphemy! I clearly remember my very educated mother jut served us NINE PIZZAS. Yes this may have been back in 2nd grade, but see? I’m proving my point!
Even if acronyms don’t receive the constant spotlight they deserve in the classroom from you, at least make sure to post them prominently on your walls. Students will be able to refer to the acronyms as they work and hopefully allow some of that stellar knowledge to seep in.
Teaching Tip: Want to ensure that students remember the material? As an activity, let them create their own acronyms and mnemonic devices for what they have learned. I promise you they will remember it much more easily after taking an active role in creating a way to store it in their brain.
Here are just a few acronym examples, focused on English, since that is what I teach.
Conjunction Words-
- For
- And
- Nor
- But
- Or
- Yet
- So
Essay Introduction Information-
- Author
- Title
- Type of selection
- Time Period
Essay Prompt Reminder-
- Answer the
- Question
- Asked
Writing Checklist-
- Capitalization
- Usage (grammar)
- Punctuation
- Spelling
Poetry Analysis-
- Title’s meaning
- Paraphrase
- Connotation
- Attitude
- Shifts
- Title- reevaluate meaning
- Theme
If you have any more acronyms worthy to add to this list, please mention them!
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