What’s One Thing…?

At the end of a riding lesson, I will often ask my students, “What’s one thing that went well with today’s ride?” or, “What’s one thing you learned today?” I might ask in the alternative, “Is there something you want to work on next time as a result of today’s lesson?” The answer doesn’t matter as much as the process questions like this are designed to launch. The brain has to glance over its figurative shoulder, and take a look at what happened in the lesson, what material was presented, what learning occurred (if any). That largely subconscious review of the previous hour helps the whole lesson organize itself into facts and skills that stick in memory more easily and more durably than if my parting shot had been, “Great ride! See you next week!” (though I try to get that one in too). And sorting the lesson and deciding what to save to memory also helps close the barn door, so what happened in the arena doesn’t dog the student all the way home. For the most part, lessons are time…