Say All Fast Minute Each Day Shuffled (SAFMEDS)

(Heward, 2013)

Purpose

SAFMEDS is an independent study skills strategy that can be used to help students retrieve and recall information previously taught.

Rationale

This strategy not only increases student recall, retrieval, and vocabulary knowledge, but also helps students monitor their progress using a Standard Celeration Chart. This helps students graph their data and identify increasing or decreasing trends.

Steps of the Strategy

Write the vocabulary term or concept on the white side of the index card.
Write its definition on the lined side of the index card.
Set the timer for one minute.
Start the timer.
Read the definition and try to express the correct term or concept without looking.
Flip the card over to see if you were correct.
Repeat the steps until the timer runs out.
Create a pile of correct responses and incorrect responses.
Use the Standard Celeration Chart to graph your daily progress.
Based on the day of the week, mark an “x” on the number of incorrect responses and a “.” on the number of correct responses.

Generalization Plan

Students can use this tool both in school and at home. While in class, the teacher can give students 5-10 minutes each day to study using the SAFMEDS strategy. After a student has completed the minute-long assessment and graphed their data, the student can time another student performing the strategy. Here, students are held accountable for their effort and use of strategies. The more a student practices this skill, the greater number of words he or she will answer correctly when reading the definitions. Students can also spend a minute at home each day studying the terms.

Celeration Chart

Index Cards

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