One Engaging Closing Activity: ‘Previously On’ for Contextualization in the Classroom

It’s important for students to understand contextualization in history—or any subject, for that matter. My colleague, Mike, and I have been using this one engaging closing activity called “Previously On” to help students connect the dots between what they’ve already learned and what they’re about to explore. It’s like a like a TV show recap but tailored to the classroom.

We have short classes–49 minutes, and our principal’s been pushing us to make time for closing activities (and with good reason), so we typically use “Previously On” as an exit ticket. If you have more time, storyboarding and having students film would be amazing. They could even serialize their lessons in the form of a podcast (how cool would that be?). I miss the block schedule….

Our students like “Previously On” because it’s a fun way to review. We like it because it sharpens their critical thinking, recall, and contextualization skills. It’s easy to implement and works across various subjects, not just history. Today, I’ll walk you through the details, provide an example using The Protestant Reformation, and show you how you can bring this strategy to your classroom.

How to Use ‘Previously On’ in History Lessons

“Previously On” is a quick, structured way for students to review and connect past learning to new material. Whether you use it as an exit ticket, a lesson starter, or a more detailed storyboard activity, it helps students anchor today’s lesson in a broader narrative. Here’s the basic idea:

• Students recap three prior events or concepts relevant to today’s topic.
• They briefly explain why each event matters and how it connects to the current lesson.
• They title the current lesson as “This Week’s Episode,” like a show’s episodic storytelling.

“Previously On” works great for history lessons, where contextualization’s a vital skill. But it’s also effective in science, ELA, and even math, where concepts build on one another.

Formats you can try:

• Exit Tickets: Have students summarize today’s lesson and link it to earlier topics.
• Starter Activities: Kick off your lesson with a recap to activate prior knowledge.
• Storyboard Assignments: Challenge students to create visual recaps with drawings or digital tools.

Example of a History Contextualization Activity: The Protestant Reformation

Here’s an example of how “Previously On” can work in a history classroom. This was the first topic Mike and I used in our classes. Our students were learning about The Protestant Reformation.

This Week’s Episode Title:

“A Split in the Church”

Previously On:

1. The Western Schism (1378–1417)
   Why? This event demonstrated the Church’s vulnerability to internal power struggles, setting a precedent for division.
   Caption: “THREE Popes, ONE Church? A seismic identity crisis.”
2. The Renaissance (14th–17th Century)
   Why? The Renaissance fostered new ideas about individualism, critical thinking, and secularism—key factors that inspired reform movements.
   Caption: “A revival of art and thought challenges the old order.”
3. Martin Luther’s 95 Theses (1517)
   Why? Luther’s public call for reform against Church practices was the spark that ignited widespread debate and dissent.
   Caption: “Nailed It: Martin Luther sparks debate in Wittenberg.”
   

Current Focus:

Today’s lesson dives into the ripple effects of Luther’s actions, including the establishment of Protestant denominations and the Counter-Reformation.

When we line it all up like that, students can see how one thing led to another. It’s not just a bunch of random facts anymore.

But here’s what’s really great–it isn’t just a history thing. This works with other subjects, too. More on that in a minute.

How to Use ‘Previously On’ in Other Subjects Like Science and ELA

“Previously On” isn’t just for history! Here’s how you can adapt it to other subjects:

Science

• Unit Connections: Summarize earlier experiments, discoveries, or concepts leading up to today’s lesson.
• Example: “Previously On: The Water Cycle” could recap evaporation, condensation, and precipitation before diving into groundwater systems.
  

ELA

• Literary Analysis: Review key events, themes, or character developments in a novel or play.
• Example: “Previously On: Romeo and Juliet” could highlight pivotal scenes before analyzing the climax.
  

Math

• Concept Building: Reinforce foundational skills before tackling advanced problems.
• Example: “Previously On: Geometry” might review area and perimeter before diving into volume calculations.

Art or Music

• Creative Evolution: Trace artistic or musical styles over time.
• Example: “Previously On: Impressionism” might review Monet and Renoir before introducing Degas.

Foreign Language

• Vocabulary Building: Recap prior vocabulary and grammar topics.
• Example: “Previously On: Spanish Class” could highlight past tense verbs before introducing the subjunctive mood.

Don’t forget to head on over to my Free Resource Library to grab your “Previously On” template. And be sure to let me know how you use it!

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