I begin by showing the students an empty bucket at the beginning of the year. I explain to them that when we learn a new skill, I write it on a card and put it in the bucket. These skills need to be taught and practiced throughout the year, not just during a unit to get better at the skill. I can put new vocabulary words in the bucket also. At the beginning of each class or once a week, I have someone pick a card out of the bucket. We review and practice the skill at the beginning of the class. I have a sign on the bucket that says, "Fill our bucket with knowledge".

You can put all the cards in one bucket or make several different ones. You might separate them into categories. For instance, you might have one filled with dances you have done. It could be used for a warm-up. For example, you could have the Chicken Dance, the Locomotion, the Conga, Cha-Cha Slide and the YMCA just to name a few. One student picks a dance and the whole class does it together.

This activity can be used as an ongoing assessment throughout the year. It can also be an assessment for the teacher to see if the students still remember how to do a skill they learned 3 months ago.