The Simple Joy of the Post-it Note
- 2nd April 2025
- Vicky McTear
When it comes to GCSE revision, memory plays a big role – especially in subjects like English Literature and Religious Studies, where students are expected to recall a wide range of quotations. For many dyslexic students, this can be particularly challenging. But with the right strategies, we can help make it more manageable – and even a little bit fun! One of my favourite tools? The humble post-it note.
Start by buying your child a pack of coloured post-it notes. Each colour can represent a different subject or text – for example, green for Macbeth, pink for War of the Worlds, and so on.
On each note, write a key quote (make sure it’s large enough to read easily). On the back, jot down what the quote shows. For example:
Front:“honest Iago”
Back: Shows Othello’s trust in him
Then, assign a room in the house to each subject – perhaps Macbeth quotes go in the hallway, and War of the Worlds in the bedroom. Let your child stick the post-it notes around the house. Yes, it may disrupt your home a little in the short term – but it’s worth it! Associating quotes with specific locations gives the brain a helpful “hook” to aid retrieval.
Encourage your child to regularly read the quotes out loud, cover them, repeat them, and then check. Little and often is key. You can support them by doing quick spot checks or asking what a quote means.
Tip: Check the length of the quotes being memorised. Many will need to be embedded into writing, so shorter quotes are often more practical. For example:
Despite the tension between their families, Romeo is instantly captivated by Juliet, describing her as “a rich jewel”, which highlights how precious and striking she appears to him.
This approach turns revision into a more active, visual, and engaging process – and helps build confidence along the way!