THE CHEAT SHEET - Method 2 - complete sentences writing

Oct 13, 2026

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A facilitation method titled “The Cheat Sheet” designed to help participants turn their existing knowledge and learning outcomes into clear, concise, complete sentences. The session lasts 30 minutes with any group size and can be run with paper, pens, and a flipchart or whiteboard. Participants receive word lists by categories, write independent sentence constructions using provided verb and connector options, then reflect through debrief questions about clarity, usefulness, and further exploration.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatPDF

Pages4

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Duration

Group size

Objectives

Resources & Preparation

Description of the method step by step

Debriefing questions

Things to keep in mind

Annexes

2. THE CHEAT SHEET Remember when you used to sit down for an exam with little notes in your pocket with information you’d need for that exam? Of course you don’t! It’s called cheating and you’d never do that! ;) This, though, is a cheat sheet that helps participants find the right words to write down what they already know in nice complete sentences. It’s cheating time! Duration 30 minutes Group size Any Objectives Seriously though, sometimes cheat sheets are a good way to study, and here the idea is to give participants some simple words that can help them start to articulate what they have already learned. Or if they already know what competences they’ve developed, this may help them to note them down using clearer and more concise language. Resources & Preparation (space, material, equipment, people) • Paper • Pens • Flipchart, whiteboard or similar, or photocopies of the cheat sheet • To help participants articulate their learning outcomes in writing. 56 METHOD 2 Description of the method step by step • On a flipchart or a cheat sheet for each person (see table below), write words in different categories to help participants construct their sentences. • Show the flipchart (or distribute the cheat sheets) and explain this to the participants:“You know you have learned things, but ‘learning’ is a word that sometimes limits your options. This flipchart helps you to explore other aspects of your learning experience.” • Then, ask participants to write complete sentences about their own learning outcomes using the verbs and expressions in the table. • Each column in the table is an independent list.This means that participants can use the 1st expression in the 1st column and combine it with the 3rd expression in the 2nd column and the 5th expression in the 3rd column. Example:“I explored decision-making in a group with an international group of young people during a three-day camp. We had to decide everything together and we learned how to do that without arguing. That will enable me to become a better team member in the future.” Debriefing questions • Did you manage to write some sentences about your learning outcomes? • Did the table help you with that process? How exactly did it help you? • Do you feel this sentence clearly describes your learning outcomes? • Are there words or expressions in this table you can use to explore other learning outcomes? Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 METHOD 2 57 Things to keep in mind For some participants, the words in the table may be new. If this is the case, make sure you take the time to explain their meaning before the exercise starts. Obviously, you can adapt the table to your own language and choose other words that make more sense in your context. Adapted by Anita Silva 58 METHOD 2 Annexes (e. g. , handouts) The Cheat Sheet I explored… I discussed I acknowledged… I questioned… I failed I enjoyed… I reflected I confirmed I discovered... I read I felt I dreamed I heard I experienced. . . Because By doing… With Without While At When... About Through… After... When In spite of… That That is relevant for That will allow me to That will show in That will be useful for That will enable me to That showed me That motivated me That stopped me… That made clear for me ... That changed… That increased That improved… That revealed That created METHOD 2 59

FAQs

What is the goal of “The Cheat Sheet” method?

It helps participants articulate what they already know by using simple word and verb options to construct clear complete sentences about their learning outcomes.

What preparation materials are needed?

Paper and pens are required, along with a flipchart/whiteboard or photocopies of the cheat sheet to provide the word lists and sentence-building options.

How do participants use the table during the exercise?

They write complete sentences about their learning outcomes using the verbs and expressions in the table, combining expressions across columns to form independent constructions.

What questions are used for debriefing?

The method asks whether participants managed to write sentences, whether the table helped and how, whether the sentences clearly describe learning outcomes, and whether any words or expressions can be used to explore other outcomes.

Oct 13, 2026

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