Today is rung 4 of 5 on this topic
Studying that actually works
Can do: Uses self-testing and spaced practice instead of rereading.
Why it matters
Rereading feels effective and isn't. Retrieval practice is the best-supported finding in learning science, and almost no child does it by default.
What it looks like when it's wobbly
"Revising" means reading the notes again and feeling familiar with them, which is not the same as knowing them.
⏱️ Two-minute check
"How do you revise for a test?"
Solid looks like: Any answer involving testing themselves, covering the page, or writing from memory.
The full activity for this topic · 15 minutes
Cover, Write, Check
- 1Read the material once, then close it — closing it is the whole method.
- 2Write everything they remember on blank paper.
- 3Open and check. The gaps are exactly what to study; the rest is done.
- 4Repeat tomorrow, then in three days. Spacing beats cramming decisively.
- 5Make quiz cards with questions on one side, not summaries on both.
If it's too hard
One page, three key facts.
If it's too easy
They write the test questions themselves, then sit their own test.
Say this
"Close the book. What can you actually remember? The gaps are the study list."