STICKY NOTE STRATEGY

Using Sticky Notes Reinforces Reading Comprehension and Critical Thinking

Beneficial for READING: The sticky note (aka: Post-It note) strategy for reading helps students to self-monitor and promote critical thinking,
encouraging active readers instead of passive readers. As students are reading the text, they become engaged, pay closer attention to their
reading and form notes to glance back at.

Why use Sticky Notes?

• Sticky Notes are colorful and come in many shapes and sizes.
• Sticky Notes can be used for every subject in many different ways.
• (Sticky Notes) provide all participants tools to actively participate. (Wells
and Sheehey, 2012).
• Sticky Note Strategy works for every student – K-12 students in general
education classrooms.
• Students with ED & LD use Post-It Notes to provide an elegantly simple
means of sorting and prioritizing thoughts, ideas, and concepts
(Washington Univ., S. (2000).
• “Increase Academic Success for Children with ADHD Using Sticky Notes”
• It is an interactive, fun way to learn!

To use this strategy:

• Distribute several colors of sticky notes to each child in the classroom

prior to the reading activity
• Define the meanings for each color to the students
• During the reading activity have the students record key words or
phrases and mark important parts of the reading
• After the activity, have students share the key words and interesting
passages and the reasons they chose them
• Finally, the teacher should share what they marked with their own
sticky notes to ensure all students understand the exercise
 STICKY NOTE STRATEGY
Using Sticky Notes Can Teach Multiplication Tables and Number Values
Beneficial for MATH: The sticky note strategy can reinforce a variety of math concepts and standards. This helps students memorize
their multiplication tables and learn about place values.
Use sticky notes to practice times tables!
To use this strategy:

• Write down basic math problems and their answers on sticky notes and
distribute them among the students randomly. Give students one
problem and one solution.
• The teacher will start by reading out the math problem on their sticky
note.
• Whichever student has the answer can raise their hand and say the
answer aloud, then read their math problem to the class.
• The teacher will monitor the answers to ensure students are giving
correct answers
• Repeat the exercise as needed.

References
Bittman, E. & Moomaw, S. (2017). POST-IT® NOTES ART: Area and
perimeter. Teaching Children Mathematics, 24(3), 164-169.
Fagan, B. (2003). Scaffolds to help ELL readers. Voices from the
Middle, 11(1), 38-42.
Griffiths, R., Stenner, R., & Hicks, U. (2014). Hearing the unheard:
Children's constructions of their nurture group
experiences. Educational & Child Psychology, 31(1), 124-136.
Stepanova, H. (2013). Vocabulary for all. English Teaching
Professional, (87), 36-36.
Stormont, M. A. (2008). Increase academic success for children with ADHD
using sticky notes and highlighters. Intervention in School and
Clinic, 43(5), 305-308.
Washington Univ., S. (2000). Working together: Computers and people
with learning disabilities
Wells, J. C. & Sheehey, P. H. (2012). Person-centered planning: Strategies
to encourage participation and facilitate communication. TEACHING
Exceptional Children, 44(3), 32-39.