Making it Stick!

No Opt Out: When asking a student a question, you may often hear the answer 'I don't know' or even just a shrug of the shoulders. Instead of letting this student just pass on, you can ask the same question to another student. If you get the correct answer, turn back to the original student and ask the same question again. This will demonstrate to them that they are an active member of your classroom as well as your belief in them as a learner.

Teacher: "Mikko, what colour is this apple?"
Mikko: "I don't know"
Teacher: "Onni, can you tell Mikko what colour this apple is?"
Onni: "Green"
Teacher: "Mikko, what colour is this apple?"
Mikko: "Green"
Teacher: "Excellent. Thank you Onni, Thank you Mikko"

No Opt Out video can be found here (from Teach like a Champion)

Right is Right: This is the difference between partially right and 100%. If a student says the wrong word and they are told they are 'nearly' right, they will often 'round up' and assume they are correct and switch their brain off. Set and defend high levels of correctness in your classroom.

Teacher: "Stella, what vegetable is this?"
Stella: "A potato"
Teacher: "No, it's not a potato. Max, can you tell Stella what vegetable this is?"
Max: "It's a carrot"
Teacher: "Stella, can you tell us what vegetable this is?"
Stella: "A carrot"
Teacher: "Great job. Well done both of you"

Right is Right video can be found here (from Teach like a Champion)

1. Teach: Teach new knowledge clearly, slowly and accurately.

2. Retrieve: Ask students to repeat this back to you correctly.

3. Test: Test their knowledge in a fun and engaging way (this can be in the form of a memory game for example).

4. Repeat: Consolidate their new knowledge through repetition at various points throughout the lesson. Ask them at random points, "Max, just remind me, what is this called again?". The end of the lesson (the plenary) must be used to go over new knowledge. The next lesson must also start with the knowledge that was taught in the previous lesson. This way, knowledge is constantly being consolidated and will stick forever!

The 'Teach, Retrieve, Test, Repeat' cycle should be demonstrated constantly. This way, new knowledge is taught correctly, absorbed deeply and learned effectively.