Using Retrieval Practice to Boost Learning

Read time: 5 minutes

Hello, Amazing Texas Teachers!

Let's be honest – with STAAR^® testing coming up in April, you might be feeling a little anxious. Maybe a bit overwhelmed? Ok, maybe even terrified! After 25 years in the classroom (14 of them preparing Texas students for TAKS, STAAR^®, and yes, even STAAR^® 2.0), I get it. That's why I want to share some powerful yet simple insights about retrieval practice that might just make your teaching life easier – and, dare I say, more fun!

Confession from a Reformed "Teach-to-the-Test" Teacher

Here's the truth: I used to be that teacher who made testing day the be-all and end-all. I was caught up in the competition, driven by perfection, and honestly? I was making both myself and my students miserable. Teaching wasn't fun, and I'm pretty sure my classroom door might as well have had a "Welcome to Stress City" sign hanging on it.

💡But then something clicked. What if we focused on growth instead of perfection? Because let's face it – when was the last time any of us achieved perfection in real life?

The Mind-Shifting Magic

Here's what transformed my classroom: I started treating test day like game day, and my classroom became the practice field of low risk and progression.

Side note: If you're not into sports, think of it as a concert if you're musical, or harvest day if you're into gardening – whatever brings joy to your mind! ☺️

The real kicker? I made it a rule never to mention STAAR^® until the second semester, preferably February. Shocking, right?

But here's why it worked and the science behind it…

What is Retrieval Practice? (And Why Should You Care?)

In fancy cognitive psychology, retrieval practice pulls information from memory to improve long-term retention. In regular teacher terms? It's like building mental muscles through exercise instead of just reading about workouts.

Here's the cool part (backed by some impressive research from Purdue University and Washington University in St. Louis): Testing can actually be an effective learning tool when done right. I know, it sounds counterintuitive!

Think back to your college days – remember those flashcards for Biology 101? That wasn't just studying; you were actually utilizing retrieval practice without even knowing it!

What This Looks Like in Real Life

Want to start small? Here's what worked in my classroom:

• I made assignments and exit tickets mirror STAAR^® formatting (sneaky, right?)

• I kept the stakes LOW to boost confidence and risk-taking (this is crucial when trying to master new skills!)

• I created daily opportunities for students to flex their skills in different contexts

  • Example:
    • On Monday, students read a nonfiction article about animals and identify the main idea.
    • On Tuesday, they watch a short video clip on the same topic, take notes, and summarize the key idea.
    • On Wednesday, they analyze a poem and extract the main theme.
  • This varied practice reinforces the core skill of identifying key ideas while adapting to different formats and genres, preparing students for the variety of texts on the STAAR^®.
    

• I used online practice tools like Kahoot! or Quizlet to make practice feel more like play than prep (class competition can be a great motivator! 🏆)

The best part? Nobody cried on test day, growth became more exciting than scores, and teaching was fun again. (And yes, my students' scores still showed growth. A definite win-win!)

Quick Tips You Can Use Tomorrow

1. Start with a 5-minute daily recall activity (consider Quizizz online, quick partner quizzes, or exit tickets)
2. Use the STAAR MASTER^® Interactive platform for low-stakes practice in a STAAR-like format
3. Remember: What you do AFTER assessments is just as important as what you do before them (We'll dive deeper into this game-planning strategy in our February article!).

Looking Ahead

Before you close this tab and head back to your million teacher tasks, here's something to think about: How can you make your classroom feel more like a practice field and less like a pressure cooker?

Stay tuned for February's article, where we'll dive into how to help our students own their learning journey (without losing our minds in the process). In the meantime, remember this: Whether your students pass on the first try or the fifth, you're doing important work. And you've got this! 💪🏼