Save the Last Word for

Me Strategy
Welcome 5th
Graders!
Today we will:
◎ Continue reading Out of my Mind
by Sharon Draper
◎ Reflect on what we read and find 1
cool quote you like
◎ Do a group discussion
◎ Debrief

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Link to reading: Recording:
https://drive.google.com/file https://www.youtube.co
/d/1ATkrIDJrOtHIH6Bj9Xir m/watch?v=e2PDR5kNQ
ZS-2Lp5LteJM/view?usp=s qM
haring

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

We’ll read part of chapter 2

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 What to do next:

◎ Go through what we read and write down 1 quote

that you like on one side
◉ Can be something you thought was
interesting, will be important later, resonated
with you, reminded you of something, etc..
◎ On the backside of the note, write why you chose
that quote

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Save the Last Word for Me
◎ Get in groups of 3-4
◎ 1 person shares the quote they wrote down, but
DOESN’T share why
◎ Everyone else explains why that quote is
important or cool and tries to guess why the first
person picked it
◎ After everyone else has shared, the 1st person,
then explains why they chose that quote
◎ Repeat until everyone has shared their quote

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Discussion Starters

◎ I think you chose this quote because…

◎ That quote is cool because…
◎ I believe this will be important later
because…
◎ I agree with ___ because…
◎ I dislike this quote because…
◎ I didn’t think of it like that. Here’s what I
thought…
◎ This part reminded me of…

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 “
Any good quotes you would like to share?
Can be from you or a groupmate

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Debrief

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 Strategy: Save the Last Word for Me
Save the Last Word for Me is a structured discussion strategy that makes
students take turns being speakers and listeners. It allows for students to
think about what they’re reading as well as other interpretations/opinions of
the text.

“Asking students to think about their reading stimulates reflection and helps
to develop active and thoughtful readers. Save the Last Word for Me also
prompts classroom interaction and cooperative group discussion” (The
Teacher Toolkit)

https://www.theteachertoolkit.com/index.php/tool/save-the-last-word-for-m
e

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 Adaptations

◎ Can be adapted for younger or older students

◉ Have students choose 1 word or 5 quotes
◎ Can use on texts, movies, images, vocabulary lists, or
even instructions
◎ Can be used for a variety of subjects
◉ ELA- books, readings, essays
◉ History- textbooks, documentaries, events, timelines
◉ Science- procedures, how processes work

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 Adaptations

*text should be chosen/adapted in regards to the students’ level. Adapt what students are
looking for accordingly.
Level 1: Students can choose pictures that stand out to them. Their explanation can be in their
home language and if possible, pair students who speak the same language. Provide sentence
starters

Level 2: Provide sentence starters. Students should use more English in their explanations, but
home language can be used. Explanations can be short.

Level 3: Use text that has more words. Students should use short sentences but have longer
explanations. Give prompts to help spur thinking.

Levels 4 & 5: Should be able to fully participate. Explanations can be slightly shorter and
simpler

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Thank you!
 References

Facing History and Ourselves. (n.d.). Save the last word for me. Facing History and
Ourselves. Retrieved March 20, 2022, from
https://www.facinghistory.org/resource-library/teaching-strategies/save-last-
word-me

Save the last word for me. The Teacher Toolkit. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2022, from
https://www.theteachertoolkit.com/index.php/tool/save-the-last-word-for-me