This week on the blog, I want to share a cognitive strategy to support learning in your classrooms. That strategy is Retrieval Practice! It is a simple practice where students retrieve and practice past learning.
Basically, if we spend more time asking students to retrieve information out of their brains and less time trying to put things in there... they will learn more.
So, how do we make this happen in the classroom? Check out these super simple and easy strategies below!
Think Pair Share: Ask students to share what they have learned from a lesson with a partner.
Low Stakes Quizzes: Quizzes or check ins that don't count against their grades. Use games like Quizzes, Kahoots, and Polls.
Brain Dumps or Storms: KWL, Can, Have, Are charts are GREAT ways to allow students to retrieve learning and then organize it. The Teacher Toolkit has a great video on KWLs. Check it out below!
Check out this video all about Retrieval Practice!
It is so interesting to hear the reasons why cognitive psychologists support retrieval practice as a way to cement learning for students. By using low stake quizzes to check in on students learning, you are able to force them to "RETRIEVE" new skills and improved test scores. The fact that the students were "quizzed" more allowed them to retain more information.
Basically, if we spend more time asking students to retrieve information out of their brains and less time trying to put things in there... they will learn more.
So, how do we make this happen in the classroom? Check out these super simple and easy strategies below!
Think Pair Share: Ask students to share what they have learned from a lesson with a partner.
Low Stakes Quizzes: Quizzes or check ins that don't count against their grades. Use games like Quizzes, Kahoots, and Polls.
Brain Dumps or Storms: KWL, Can, Have, Are charts are GREAT ways to allow students to retrieve learning and then organize it. The Teacher Toolkit has a great video on KWLs. Check it out below!
Science of reading supports tapping into background knowledge to support students with comprehension. These graphic organizes are spot on!
Exit Tickets: A perfect way to do a QUICK informal check on learning. Exit Tickets can be paper pencil or even verbal. Check out Teach Thought for digital Exit Tickets!
More examples of Retrieval Practice would be:
- Journal Prompts
- Sentence Starters (related to recent learning)
- Concept Maps
Be sure to keep in mind, retrieval practice is NOT assessments!
Retrieval practice is ABOUT learning.
I know at first the idea of this may sound a lot like testing but research shows that the more someone practices retrieval or actively engages with a subject, the better long term learning is. Finding ways for students to activity engage with retrieval of information during a lesson or just after is the key.
The process of retrieval actually helps to cement learning for students by strengthening their schema.
Know that when using retrieval practice you will need to do it in small bursts over time. When students struggle to recall concepts, they are actually making stronger connections about the topic in their brain.
Know that when using retrieval practice you will need to do it in small bursts over time. When students struggle to recall concepts, they are actually making stronger connections about the topic in their brain.
This smore is filled with tons of great information about retrieval practice and how you can make it a common practice in your classroom.
Check out these retrieval practice questions and guide to get your students thinking and retrieving! Thank you Retrieval Practice on TPT!
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