Make Learning Stick with Retrieval Practice
As we look ahead to a new school year, many of us are thinking about how to “make learning stick” not just for the test, but for everyday application. One powerful, and simple, strategy to support this is retrieval practice. This strategy comes from the book, Make it Stick: The Science of Successful Learning by Peter C. Brown, Henry L. Roediger, III, and Mark A. McDaniel.
Retrieval practice is the act of recalling information from memory without looking at notes or materials. Instead of re-reading or reviewing, students are asked to remember what they’ve learned. This small shift can have a big impact on long-term understanding.
Why does it work?
When students actively retrieve information, they strengthen their memory and deepen their understanding. It may feel more challenging in the moment, but that productive struggle is exactly what helps learning stick.
What does it look like in the classroom?
Retrieval practice doesn’t require big instructional changes but rather small, intentional moments built into your routine. Here are a few easy ways to get started:
- Do Now or Warm-Up: Ask students to write down everything they remember from yesterday’s lesson before any review.
- Exit Tickets: End class with 2–3 quick questions that require students to recall key ideas.
- Brain Dumps: Give students a minute or two to write everything they know about a topic.
- Turn and Talk: Prompt students to explain a concept to a partner without looking at notes.
- Quick Write: Pose a question and have all students respond at once on their individual whiteboards.
Tips for success
- Keep it low-stakes as this is about practice, not grades.
- Spiral review to revisit content over time rather than all at once.
- Mix it up with a variety of questions and prompts.
As you plan for the fall, consider where small moments of retrieval could fit into your daily routines. These quick strategies can help students build stronger, more lasting learning without adding extra time to your day.
Sometimes, it’s the simplest shifts that make the biggest difference. For free downloads, research, and more resources, check out their website!