How often do you start the semester or school year by asking students what they did over the break? Instead, ask a different question: What's one thing you learned during the break?

On the first day of class, start with retrieval practice. When students walk in the door, have a sheet of paper waiting for them on each desk – and ask these two important questions. On the last day of class, they'll thank you for jumpstarting the school year with powerful learning.