Retrieval practice is a powerful learning strategy focused on actively pulling information out of your memory instead of just reading or reviewing notes. In US History, retrieval practice is critical to helping students succeed in high stakes testing like the AP test or the EOC test in many states
Why is retrieval practice important?
If you have taught for any length of time, you know that the attention span of students is getting worse by the minute. The ability to retain information long term is a huge struggle! Are screens to blame? Who knows, but it’s definitely an issue!
Retrieval practice is simply any activity or strategy to help students “retrieve” information from their brain. It’s as simple as that!
Retrieval practice helps students make connections as you move throughout the year. For example, being able to remember the impact of Plessy v. Ferguson when you get to the 1960s and the Civil Rights movement is critical!
Using a variety of strategies to keep content front and center will help your end of the year review go so much smoother! Students will have a better shot at answering the tough questions if they can quickly remember content from the beginning of the year!
How to make content STICK?
We all know about mnemonics and how powerful they can be. Any memory trick that helps students remember content can count as a mnemonic. My favorites?
Early US HIstory –
- Breaking “Montesquiou” into 3 syllables and using the phrase “3 bran-ches.” I have students say (or chant) “Mon-tes-quiou 3 bran-ches” helps them remember he is associated with separation of powers.
- Battle of Vicksburg: Put your hand up and make a “V” for Vicksburg. Then tell kids that their arm is the Mississippi River. Point to either side of your arm and say, the Battle of Vicksburg splits the Confederacy in two.
- The key battles/events required in Texas (Lexington and Concord, Saratoga, Valley Forge, Yorktown) are all in alphabetical order.
- Bill of Rights Hand Signals – Elizabeth Howson’s version is my favorite.
Modern US History (high school)
- To help students remember the Progressive Era Amendments 16, 17, 18, 19 – Say “Tax, Senators who Drink with Women.
- Truman Doctrine – I put up a slide with Truman’s head on top of a “Greasy turkey” figure. This helps them remember that the Truman Doctrine was helping fight the spread of communism in Greece and Turkey.
- To remember the 18th & 21st amendments “At 18 years old you are PROHIBITED from drinking (Prohibition) – at 21 years old you can legally drink” (repeals Prohibition)
Hands-On Activities are key
In my classroom, hands-on activities are central to retrieval practice. I will break out a sorting activity from a lesson we did in September again in December. The more times students “see it/talk about it” the better. Here are a few of my favorites!
- Cause and effect sorts – Not only do they review key content but they also work on the critical skill of cause and effect. My favorites for early American History are here and Modern American History are here.
- Hexagonal Thinking – The powerhouse of retrieval practice and making connections. My students love Hexagonal thinking and I love listening to them discuss content!
- Flyswatter Game – when you have those days when you need students to review and be engaged, this activity is your best friend. And yes, high school students love it as much as younger kids!
- Envelope Races – when you want to review key events, vocabulary, battles, court cases – you name it, this activity is golden. Prep once and pull out anytime you need a filler activity!
- Vocabulary matching – a quick way to review a ton of information quickly! Because many hands will be touching these year after year, I highly recommend you laminate the cards!
Repetition Activities
Repetition gets a bad rap sometimes, but when it comes to retrieval practice, it’s necessary! Here are a few of my favorites.
- Give a Clue – my “go to” retrieval practice activity. Seriously, I use this every other week for 10 minutes. I use it for a bell ringer or when we wrap up a lesson early and I need to fill time. It’s a game changer! I have it made for early US History and Modern US History.
- Playing Bingo – kids are often tired of computer games. Don’t overlook an old school game of bingo, especially when you add candy as a reward!
- Of course a good game of Blooket or Gimkit is always great to have in your back pocket.
- Play Headbands – Prep once (highly recommend using card stock if possible and laminating) and play over and over. I have it already made for you for early US History and EOC Review for high school.
- Brain Wiggles – What is this you ask? I love to be teaching my heart out and then randomly stop. In the middle of my lesson I will “wiggle the brain” by asking a question from WAAAYYYYY back in the school year. I hand out candy to whoever can answer the question. The novelty of stopping in the middle of a sentence and throwing out a question wakes students up. Trust me!
Big Take Away
Build in intentional time to review content. The more your students hear it and discuss it, the better shot they have at remembering it. This will ensure success at whatever test they face at the end of the year.
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