Retrieval Practice Revisited!

Huge thanks to Caroline Bates for this addition to my earlier post on Retrieval Practice. By chance, Caroline had chosen to read the same book as me (Retrieval Practice by Kate Jones) and wished to share one of her key findings from the book. She has already produced her own version of this specific strategy which she is kindly allowing me to share with you all.

The strategy is called the 'Retrieval Practice Revision Menu'. Many of our students neglect the science behind revision, the need to mix up tasks, challenge their short and long-term retrieval of information and layer their revision over spaced time. 

It is important that all students are familiar with all of the tasks on the menu, it is worthwhile therefore using them in a lesson to ensure they have the tools to be able to complete them at home independently. This is Caroline's RS version:

The other element of the book that is worth sharing with regards to this revision menu is Kate Jones mantra for READ, RETRIEVE, REVIEW, REPEAT. This four step plan can be embedded into any lesson with the following stages: 

1. What keywords are connected to the topic? 'List it' is great to use here as well as a 'brain dump' where students must purge every last piece of knowledge they can recall from their memories.

2. Explain what the keywords mean in your own words? 

The Kagan structures of Quiz, Quiz Trade or All Write Round Robin are useful to support LAPs with this stage.

3. Can you list the main concepts or pieces of knowledge that are connected to this unit?

Throwback Thursday or Flashback Friday are great ideas for this stage - if you are lucky enough to teach your classes on these alliteration inspired days! At the end of the week, ask students to write ten facts they have learned from your lessons that week and build this knowledge bank overtime.

4. Apply this knowledge to an exam question on this topic. 

Fairly self explanatory but all formative assessment must lead to summative in time.

Once again, thank you to Caroline for taking the time to share her key strategy and to encourage me to revisit the 4R's this book delivers on. Please do continue to send me the highlights of any books/chapters/ blogs that you have been exploring. The more we share, the more time we have to spare!