Working Memory Brain Games PDF
Working Memory Brain Games PDF
in 5 minutes a day!
Angela Watson
Working memory
Brain games
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Angela Watson
TheCornerstoneForTeachers.com
Graphics Credits
©2014 Angela Watson TheCornerstoneForTeachers.com 2
15 Working Memory
Brain Games for Kids:
5 minute daily exercises to improve
executive functioning
What is working memory?
Working memory is the information you can consciously hold in your mind in any
given moment. It’s like a workspace where we temporarily keep information we’ll
need only for a short time. Having a strong working memory is having the ability to
retain fresh information long enough to do something with it.
These are all indications of poor working memory. And not surprisingly, kids who
exhibit these behaviors fall behind in their academics, especially in reading and
math.
However, other conditions can cause our working memory to suffer. Three of the main
circumstances include when we are distracted, when we’re trying to hold too much
information in our heads at one time, and when we’re engaged in difficult tasks. For
many kids, that describes almost every moment of their day in school! And once
information is lost from working memory, it can’t be recalled, because it was never
stored in long-term memory.
If you’ve wondered why you have to repeat yourself so many times with kids who are
truly unable to recall what you've said…mystery solved! They got distracted or over-
stimulated when you were giving directions or teaching, and the information you
said slipped from their working memories...and it’s gone forever unless you provide
the information again.
IQ scores for eight-year olds increased 6% in the control group and 12% in the memory
trained group, and the children with the lowest initial scores made the greatest gains.
This same article cites similar (though slightly less dramatic) results with 6 and 7 year
old children—and even adults who participated in memory training showed gains.
What’s most remarkable to me is the short amount of time it take to see a difference.
Saliminen, Strobach, and Schubert confirmed in a 2012 study that building a strong
working memory takes only 5 to 10 minutes of practice a day for 8 to 12 weeks. Wow!
I decided to do the research myself and create games that could be played in 5-10
minutes per day in PreK-6 classrooms. I studied articles and books on working memory,
looked at the type of games that were played with children in the research studies, and
considered developmental best practices. I tried to create games that covered visual-
spatial memory, auditory skills, letters and words, and also numbers.
Have students play the same game for the entire week, Monday through Friday. The
following Monday, introduce a new game. Since you only need 9 games and I have
included 15 games in the PDF, you can select the ones you think your students would
enjoy and benefit from the most. You can select a variety of games (letters, numbers,
words, auditory recall, and visual-spacial recall) or focus on the areas in which your
students need the most practice. Once students are familiar with the games, you can
also allow them to choose which game to play.
I recommend not allowing students to attempt the challenge activity that’s on each
game card until the second or third day of game play, as many students will “bite off
more than they can chew” and therefore won’t benefit from the practice. Emphasize
that they must consistently master remembering 4 letters, for example, before trying to
remember 5.
You do not necessarily need to make a copy of the game instructions for each pair of
students. You can project the instructions on your interactive whiteboard or just explain
the game verbally. Younger students and emergent readers will benefit most from this
approach. Observe students carefully as they play and provide guidance as needed: if
the task it too hard, simplify it by reducing the number of items they need to remember.
After the nine weeks of game play, you may choose to continue the daily practice with
one or two students if you feel that they are still struggling or have made significant
gains that you don’t want to lose. This could be a great warm-up activity in reading
groups or other small group/differentiated instructional periods. Your students might
also find it valuable to revisit the games periodically throughout the year.
Tell students that the game seems like it’s all for fun, but it’s actually helping to
improve their memory. Ask what kinds of things they need to remember, and take a few
volunteers’ responses. Guide students to consider purposes such as directions you give
in class, information they just read in a text, and other functions of working memory.
Introduce the term working memory and describe it as a temporary workspace in our
minds where we hold information we just need for a few moments. You may want to
show students this short video from Learning Works for Kids:
Explain that researchers have found that playing fun games like the one they just tried
actually makes it easier for kids to do all of those things! Tell kids that they will have
the opportunity to play one of those fun games with a partner for 5-10 minutes every
day for the next few weeks. At that point, they should find it a little easier to solve math
problems in their heads, keep their place in a book when reading, and experience all
kinds of other great benefits in school and in their daily lives!
Explain the designated time in your schedule that they will get to play (such as a
morning warm-up, right after lunch, just before dismissal, etc.) Model and reinforce
appropriate game play practices as well as cooperative learning strategies (taking turns,
being supportive and kind to your partner, encouraging each other, working through
frustration, etc.).
©2014 Angela Watson TheCornerstoneForTeachers.com 7
How do I know if the games improved students’ working memory?
Observe your students during the first day of game play and note how well they did
(how many letters/numbers they were able to remember in sequence, etc.) If you want
more controlled data, play the game for a minute or two with each child yourself, and
use that as your baseline data.
After the nine weeks (or however many weeks you choose to use the games in your
classroom), have students play the same game again and record how well they perform.
-video games such as Hop Frog Hop and Ribbit Frog Ribbit
-riddles
-crossword puzzles
-word scrambles
-martial arts
-mindfulness training
-Simon Says
I highly recommend the free PDF Understanding working memory: a classroom guide
for additional ideas about how your classroom routines and daily practices can support
working memory development.
Online Articles
How to Improve Your Child’s Working Memory, Koobits, September 10, 2012.
Stress in Childhood Affects Working Memory in Adulthood, Neuronet Learning Research Blog.
Teaching With Poverty In Mind: How to Help At-Risk Kids Succeed, Scientific Learning, April 24,
2012.
Training Working Memory: Why and How, Psychology Today, March 26, 2012.
Understanding Working Memory: A Classroom Guide (PDF), Professor Susan E. Gathercole & Dr
Tracy Packiam Alloway.
Books
Engaging Students with Poverty in Mind: Practical Strategies for Raising Achievement, Eric
Jensen, ASCD, August 23, 2013.
Teaching with Poverty in Mind: What Being Poor Does to Kids' Brains and What Schools Can Do
about It, Eric Jensen, ASCD, November 19, 2009.
Working Memory and Learning: A Practical Guide for Teachers Susan Gathercole & Tracy
Packiam Alloway, SAGE Publications, January 9, 2008.
My 3 Facts
Materials: none
Directions: Tell your partner 3 things you did when first arrived at
school this morning. Be sure to say them in order! Have your partner
repeat them back to you. Then switch roles! Play again telling 3
other things: 3 things you did over the weekend, 3 things you would
like to do after school, 3 steps for playing your favorite game, 3 facts
about your favorite book or TV show, and so on.
Challenge: Try telling each other 4 facts! If you get really good at
remembering what your partner said try 5!
Taking a Trip
Materials: none
Directions: Draw 4 number cards from the stack and place them in
order where only you can see them. Say the numbers to your partner
and then ask a question about them. For example: “6, 2, 3, 9. What
number was after 3?”
Here are some other questions you can ask: Which number came
second? What number was last? Which was the first number? Which
number was before ___?
Directions: Put the cards in a face down stack. Take the top card off,
look at it, and place the card face down. Say the number that was on
it out loud. Then have your partner take the next card from the stack,
place it face down next to yours, and say the number you said AND
the number on his or her card. Keep taking turns trying to remember
and say all the numbers you and your partner have drawn from the
stack. When someone makes a mistake, shuffle the cards and play
again!
Challenge: Can you remember 10 numbers? See how close you can
get!
Working Memory Games ©2014 Angela Watson TheCornerstoneForTeachers.com
Number Talk
Materials: number cards
Directions: Flip over four number cards but don’t let your partner
see them! Read them aloud to your partner and have him or her
repeat those numbers back in the same order you said them. Take
turns flipping over number cards, saying them to each other, and
repeating them back.
Challenge: How many numbers can you remember and repeat? Try
practicing with 4, then 5…and keep going!
Directions: Set a timer for 30 seconds and make any design you want
using 7 shape cards. When time is up, you and your partner should
look at each other’s designs. Try to create an exact replica of their
work: use your pieces to make a design that looks just like theirs!
When you’re done, play again and create new designs for each other
to copy.
Challenge: Try using more shape cards: 8 this time, then 9, then 10.
Can you still correctly copy each other’s designs?
Remember My Design
Materials: shape cards, piece of construction (or other thick) paper
Directions: Make any design you want using 4 shape cards. Count
silently to 10 when you’re done to give your partner time to
remember your design. Then put the piece of paper over your design
to cover it. Can your partner remember your design and use his or
her pieces to make one just like yours? Remove the paper from your
design and compare them to see! When you’re done, switch roles and
try to copy your partner’s design.
Challenge: Try using 5 shape cards. If you and your partner are
successful several times in a row, try using more cards!
Directions: Take 4 cards from the stack and place them face down in
a row. Flip them over slowly for your partner to see and memorize,
then flip the cards back over face down. Now turn 3 of the cards face
up again, but leave one face down. Can your partner guess which
picture is not shown?
Challenge: After your partner has memorized the cards, mix them up
before turning them face up again so that they’re in a different
order! You can also try playing with 5 cards, or even 6!
Sort It
Materials: picture cards
Directions: Turn all your cards face down and take the top 5 cards.
Your partner should do the same with 5 cards of his or her own. You
each flip over your own cards and sort them any way you want (by
color, size, shape, alphabetically, etc.) When you’re done, see if you
and your partner can guess how each other sorted the cards. Then
mix the cards up and play again!
Challenge: Add in the word cards, letter cards, and/or number cards.
Directions: Make a rhythm for your partner to copy! You can softly
clap, snap, tap your foot on the floor, tap your hand on the the table,
etc. Start with 5 beats, mixing up slow and fast sounds. Your partner
should do the same thing right afterward. After a few minutes, switch
roles and copy your partner’s rhythm!
Directions: Flip over 3 word cards and ask your partner to memorize
them. Then have your partner close his or her eyes and try to say all
three words in order. Flip over a fourth card for your partner and see
if she or he can memorize 4 words in a row. Keep adding more cards
until your partner forgets the words. Then, switch roles so that your
partner flips over the word cards and you try to memorize!
Directions: Flip over 3 letter cards and ask your partner to memorize
them. Then have your partner close his or her eyes and try to say all
three letters in order. Flip over a fourth card for your partner and see
if she or he can memorize 4 letters in a row. Keep going until your
partner forgets the letters. Then, switch roles so that your partner
flips over the letter cards and you try to memorize!
Say My Letters
Materials: letter cards
Directions: Flip over four letter cards but don’t let your partner see
them! Read them aloud to your partner and have him or her repeat
those letters back in the same order you said them. Take turns
flipping over letter cards, saying them to each other, and repeating
them back.
Challenge: How many letters can you remember and repeat? Try
practicing with 4, then 5…and keep going!
Directions: Take 3 cards from the stack and show them to your
partner. Count silently to 10, then flip the cards back over. Can your
partner recall (remember) what was on all 3 cards? Take turns
flipping over cards for one another and trying to remember what
was on them.
All Mixed Up
Materials: picture, word, letter, and number cards
Directions: Mix up all the cards and place them in one face down
stack. Take 5 cards from the stack and place them face up for your
partner to see and memorize. Flip the cards back over face down and
mix them up. Now turn 4 of the cards face up again, but leave one
face down. Can your partner guess which card is not shown?
Challenge: Try leaving 2 cards face down and see if your partner can
remember them both! You can also try playing with 6 cards, or even
more.
0 1 2 3
4 5 6 7
8 99 0 1
2 33 4 5
6 77 8 9
©2014 Angela Watson
19
TheCornerstoneForTeachers.com
Word Cards: make one copy for each PAIR of students
A B C D
E F G H
I J K L
M N O P
Q R S T
©2014 Angela Watson
21
TheCornerstoneForTeachers.com
Letter Cards, Continued: each PAIR of students needs one half of this sheet to have the complete alphabet
U V W X
Y Z
U V W X
Y Z
©2014 Angela Watson
22
TheCornerstoneForTeachers.com
Shape Cards: Make TWO copies for each student
My 3 Facts
Materials: none
Directions: Tell your partner 3 things you did when you first arrived
at school this morning. Be sure to say them in order! Have your
partner repeat them back to you. Then switch roles! Play again
telling 3 other things: 3 things you did over the weekend, 3 things
you would like to do after school, 3 steps for playing your favorite
game, 3 facts about your favorite book or TV show, and so on.
Challenge: Try telling each other 4 facts! If you get really good at
remembering what your partner said try 5!
Directions: Draw 4 number cards from the stack and place them in
order where only you can see them. Say the numbers to your partner
and then ask a question about them. For example: “6, 2, 3, 9. What
number was after 3?”
Here are some other questions you can ask: Which number came
second? What number was last? Which was the first number? Which
number was before ___?
Directions: Put the cards in a face down stack. Take the top card off,
look at it, and place the card face down. Say the number that was on
it out loud. Then have your partner take the next card from the
stack, place it face down next to yours, and say the number you said
AND the number on his or her card. Keep taking turns trying to
remember and say all the numbers you and your partner have drawn
from the stack. When someone makes a mistake, shuffle the cards
and play again!
Challenge: Can you remember 10 numbers? See how close you can
get!
Working Memory Games ©2014 Angela Watson TheCornerstoneForTeachers.com
Number Talk
Materials: number cards
Directions: Flip over four number cards but don’t let your partner
see them! Read them aloud to your partner and have him or her
repeat those numbers back in the same order you said them. Take
turns flipping over number cards, saying them to each other, and
repeating them back.
Challenge: How many numbers can you remember and repeat? Try
practicing with 4, then 5…and keep going!
Working Memory Games ©2014 Angela Watson TheCornerstoneForTeachers.com
Build It
Materials: timer, shape cards
Directions: Set a timer for 30 seconds and make any design you
want using 7 shape cards. When time is up, you and your partner
should look at each other’s designs. Try to create an exact replica of
their work: use your pieces to make a design that looks just like
theirs! When you’re done, play again and create new designs for
each other to copy.
Challenge: Try using more shape cards: 8 this time, then 9, then 10.
Can you still correctly copy each other’s designs?
Remember My Design
Materials: shape cards, piece of construction (or other thick) paper
Directions: Make any design you want using 4 shape cards. Count
silently to 10 when you’re done to give your partner time to
remember your design. Then put the piece of paper over your design
to cover it. Can your partner remember your design and use his or
her pieces to make one just like yours? Remove the paper from your
design and compare them to see! When you’re done, switch roles
and try to copy your partner’s design.
Challenge: Try using 5 shape cards. If you and your partner are
successful several times in a row, try using more cards
Directions: Take 4 cards from the stack and place them face down in
a row. Flip them over slowly for your partner to see and memorize,
then flip the cards back over face down. Now turn 3 of the cards face
up again, but leave one face down. Can your partner guess which
picture is not shown?
Challenge: After your partner has memorized the cards, mix them up
before turning them face up again so that they’re in a different
order! You can also try playing with 5 cards, or even 6!
Sort It
Materials: picture cards
Directions: Turn all your cards face down and take the top 5 cards.
Your partner should do the same with 5 cards of his or her own. You
each flip over your own cards and sort them any way you want (by
color, size, shape, alphabetically, etc.) When you’re done, see if you
and your partner can guess how each other sorted the cards. Then
mix the cards up and play again!
Challenge: Add in the word cards, letter cards, and/or number cards.
Working Memory Games ©2014 Angela Watson TheCornerstoneForTeachers.com
Find the Rhythm
Materials: none
Directions: Make a rhythm for your partner to copy! You can softly
clap, snap, tap your foot on the floor, tap your hand on the the table,
etc. Start with 5 beats, mixing up slow and fast sounds. Your partner
should do the same thing right afterward. After a few minutes,
switch roles and copy your partner’s rhythm!
Directions: Flip over 3 word cards and ask your partner to memorize
them. Then have your partner close his or her eyes and try to say all
three words in order. Flip over a fourth card for your partner and see
if she or he can memorize 4 words in a row. Keep adding more cards
until your partner forgets the words. Then, switch roles so that your
partner flips over the word cards and you try to memorize!
Directions: Flip over 3 letter cards and ask your partner to memorize
them. Then have your partner close his or her eyes and try to say all
three letters in order. Flip over a fourth card for your partner and see
if she or he can memorize 4 letters in a row. Keep going until your
partner forgets the letters. Then, switch roles so that your partner
flips over the letter cards and you try to memorize!
Working Memory Games ©2014 Angela Watson TheCornerstoneForTeachers.com
Say My Letters
Materials: letter cards
Directions: Flip over four letter cards but don’t let your partner see
them! Read them aloud to your partner and have him or her repeat
those letters back in the same order you said them. Take turns
flipping over letter cards, saying them to each other, and repeating
them back.
Challenge: How many letters can you remember and repeat? Try
practicing with 4, then 5…and keep going!
Directions: Take 3 cards from the stack and show them to your
partner. Count silently to 10, then flip the cards back over. Can your
partner recall (remember) what was on all 3 cards? Take turns
flipping over cards for one another and trying to remember what
was on them.
Working Memory Games ©2014 Angela Watson TheCornerstoneForTeachers.com
All Mixed Up
Materials: picture, word, letter, and number cards
Directions: Mix up all the cards and place them in one face down
stack. Take 5 cards from the stack and place them face up for your
partner to see and memorize. Flip the cards back over face down and
mix them up. Now turn 4 of the cards face up again, but leave one
face down. Can your partner guess which card is not shown?
Challenge: Try leaving 2 cards face down and see if your partner can
remember them both! You can also try playing with 6 cards, or even
more.
0 1 2 3
4 5 6 7
8 9 0 1
2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9
©2014
Angela
Watson
35
TheCornerstoneForTeachers.com
Word Cards: make one copy for each PAIR of students
A B C D
E F G H
I J K L
M N O P
Q R S T
©2014
Angela
Watson
37
TheCornerstoneForTeachers.com
Letter Cards, Continued: each PAIR of students needs one half of this sheet to have the complete alphabet
U V W X
Y Z
U V W X
Y Z
©2014
Angela
Watson
38
TheCornerstoneForTeachers.com
Shape Cards: Make TWO copies for each student