Rather than "Teaching a Lot," Focus on "Recalling"
Hello.
I am an elementary school teacher.
I am currently on childcare leave.
Today, I would like to organize my thoughts by connecting recent learning research with the practices I actually do (or try to do) in the classroom.
This article is intended as:
• A summary of my practice as a teacher
• A search for words to explain things to parents
• And a memo for my future self
I would be happy if those who are interested would take the time to read it.
🧠 You don't necessarily remember more just because you are "taught a lot"
When teaching a class, don't you ever think,
"I want to teach this part too,"
"This is also important, so I should mention it"?
However, lately, while reading learning research, there is something I feel strongly.
👉 What determines academic ability is
not "how much you were taught"
but "how much you recalled"
In the field of educational neuroscience, it is known that
• reviewing
• re-reading
rather than these,
• recalling
• retrieving from your own mind
makes memories last longer.
⸻
📌 Four concepts that often appear in learning research
They are difficult terms, but the content is simple.
① Retrieval Practice (Recalling)
Not "I understand it when I see it,"
but trying to recall it without looking
② Spaced Practice
Don't do it all at once
A little bit, many times
③ Interleaving
Don't just do the same problems
Mix similar content
④ Feedback
Rather than "Great job,"
comments that help you understand what to do next
⸻
✏️ What I do/want to do in Japanese (Kanji)
In the classroom,
📍 At the beginning of class
A 5-minute, 5-question Kanji quiz
• The goal is not evaluation
• It is to create "time to recall"
For home study,
📍 Kanji drill, amount set individually
The amount can be small.
Every day, a little bit, recall.
This is what lasts the longest.
⸻
➗ What I do/want to do in Math
At the beginning of class (2-3 minutes)
📝 On a blank sheet of paper,
write "What did we study last time?"
📣 After that,
with the person next to you,
talk for 1 minute saying "We did this yesterday, right?"
• Do not look at the textbook
• It's okay if it's not the correct answer
The important thing is to try to recall.
⸻
🔁 "Reflection" at the end of classReflection is important, but you don't need beautiful sentences. • One thing you understood today • One way of thinking you might be able to useFor children who cannot put it into words,it is okay to talk in pairs before writing.The goal here is also👉 To recall once more⸻
📓 About how to use notebooks
Depending on the school,
the format for notebooks and board work is already decided.
So, I won't change everything.
However, there are a few things I want to include at a minimum.
• Beginning: Review of the previous lesson
• End: Reflection on today's lesson
Content is more important than form.
It's about whether there is time for thinking.
—
🏠 To Parents
What is important for home study is:
❌ Making them do a lot
⭕ Recalling a little bit every day
"What did you study today?"
It's okay if they can't answer.
The time spent trying to remember
is already learning.
—
✨ Conclusion
There is no single correct answer
for classroom lessons or home study.
However,
• Recalling
• Spacing it out
• Mixing things up a little
• Encouraging words that lead to the next step
Just by being conscious of these four things,
learning will definitely become stronger.
I also intend to
practice these while
making small adjustments as I go.
—
If you thought this article was
"interesting" or "helpful,"
💛 Like
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💬 Comment
It would be a great encouragement to me.
Thank you for reading
this far.