Making Retrieval Practice a Classroom Routine

By regularly working in activities that get students to recall content they’ve learned in the past and apply it, teachers can ensure deeper understanding.

An often-overlooked learning strategy—despite lots of strong research indicating its efficacy—is retrieval practice. When classroom routines include activities that get students revisiting and unpacking concepts they’ve already learned, their brains are better primed to remember content—and their comprehension is deepened.

Our How Learning Happens video series explores teaching practices grounded in the science of learning and human development. To see more, visit http://www.edutopia.org/how-learning-...

Join the Edutopia community today to get articles, videos, and more delivered via email every Wednesday—all tailored to you and your unique role: https://edut.to/3wEVHUh

Follow us here:
Official Website: https://edutopia.org 
YouTube:    / edutopia  
Facebook:   / edutopia  
Instagram:   / edutopia  
BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/edutopia.org

#howlearninghappens #teachingstrategies #retrievalpractice #scienceoflearning

© 2025 George Lucas Educational Foundation