Memory Challenge

After working with a text, pairs put it away and try to retell or rewrite the story from memory. They then exchange versions with another pair to compare and check facts.

Procedure

1. After completing a text-based task (gap fill, re-ordering, prediction, etc.), collect or close all texts.
2. Pairs work together to reconstruct the text from memory — retelling orally or writing.
3. Pairs exchange their versions with another pair and compare.
4. Discuss discrepancies: which version is more accurate?
5. Return to the original text to check.

Tips

• Simpler and faster than Communal Memory — good as a quick consolidation at the end of a task sequence.
• The pair-exchange-and-compare step drives the most discussion.
• Works especially well immediately after a corrupted text or gap-fill activity, when the language is fresh.