Words recall game: Working memory programme

The words recall game is part of the working memory programme designed to help deaf children develop their working memory skills. 

Getting started

• Open the Words Recall Game (Levels 1 to 7) in slideshow mode so you can click through each screen.
  • Document

    Words Recall Game Levels 1-7.pdf (14.38 MB)
• Have the record sheet ready to complete for each child during the session.
  • Document

    Words Recall Game record sheet.pdf (274.66 KB)

How it works

Structure

• There are 7 levels (called “spans” on the activity sheets) for children to work through.
• Each level has 9 trials.
• A trial is made up of between 1 and 7 sentences, depending on the level. For example, level 1 will have 1 sentence per trial, level 2 will have 2 sentences per trial, and so on.
• Children should complete each level in order – do not skip any!

Step-by-step instructions

1. Show the picture on screen and read or sign the sentence out loud.
2. Ask the child to say whether the sentence is true or false. If a child gets the true or false part wrong, do not correct them – it may disrupt their memory process. If a child just says “true” every time without thinking, encourage them to really consider each sentence.
3. The child must remember the last word of the sentence.
4. They repeat or sign the last word to themselves several times (for example, “shoelaces, shoelaces...”).
5. Click to the “?” slide and ask the child to recall the last word.
6. Record whether their answer is correct on the record sheet.
7. Repeat this for all 9 trials in the level.

If the child gets 4 out of 9 trials correct, they can move on to the next level. If not, they repeat the same level at the next session.

Using sign language

If you're using Sign Supported English (SSE) (or Welsh), word order will match English.

If you're using British Sign Language (BSL) or Irish Sign Language (ISL), make sure you know which was the last sign you used. To help with this, write down the signed sentence in English using signed order and follow it consistently.

Teaching the rehearsal strategy

Encourage children to use repetition.

• Say or sign the last word to themselves repeatedly.
• For Level 2 and above, assign each word to a finger to help remember the order.
• Ask regularly: “What helps you remember?” This builds self-awareness of memory strategies.

Teacher feedback

• Be encouraging! If they struggle, ask them what strategy they could use.
• There are no “Well done” slides, so make sure you give positive feedback yourself.
• If they mix up the word order, help them think about using fingers or repeating the words in order.

Progress and tracking

• Use the record sheet to keep track of each child’s progress.
• Always start the next session at the level they last attempted.
• Once they get 4 trials correct, they move up. If not, repeat the level.
• You will know they are ready to move on when they quickly reach 4 correct trials.

Alternative games

If a child repeats a level several times, they may need a new challenge.

You can use alternative versions for levels 2 to 6 (labelled 2b, 3b, and so on), which include new sentences and pictures to keep things fresh and engaging.

• Document

  Words Recall Game Alternative Level 2B.pdf (851.44 KB)
  • Document

    Words Recall Game Alternative Level 2B - record sheet.pdf (46.41 KB)
• Document

  Words Recall Game Alternative Level 3B.pdf (1.28 MB)
  • Document

    Words Recall Game Alternative Level 3B - record sheet.pdf (51.36 KB)
• Document

  Words Recall Game Alternative Level 4B.pdf (1.85 MB)
  • Document

    Words Recall Game Alternative Level 4B - record sheet.pdf (59.46 KB)
• Document

  Words Recall Game Alternative Level 5B.pdf (2.53 MB)
  • Document

    Words Recall Game Alternative Level 5B - record sheet.pdf (62.35 KB)
• Document

  Words Recall Game Alternative Level 6B.pdf (2.35 MB)
  • Document

    Words Recall Game Alternative Level 6B - record sheet.pdf (72.12 KB)